Park model tiny homes in Bonner County, Idaho

What Bonner County allows

Bonner County treats a permanently sited recreational vehicle, which includes a certified park model tiny home, as a Recreational Vehicle Dwelling Unit under its own dedicated code section, separate from short-term camping use. Placement goes through an administrative Building Location Permit rather than a public hearing.

• A recreational vehicle, including a certified park model tiny home, may be used as a permanent dwelling, not just for temporary or occasional use
• One unit allowed per lot for parcels under 1 acre; two units allowed per lot for parcels over 1 acre, without additional density review
• Each unit requires its own Building Location Permit
• Must meet all standard residential building setbacks
• May be sited inside a garage or under a snow roof
• May be used as a vacation rental, subject to the county's separate short-term rental standards

How the process generally works

1. Confirm your lot with the countyCall Bonner County Planning to confirm your parcel's acreage and that a recreational vehicle dwelling unit is permitted there.
2. Choose a certified modelEvery Snake River Tiny Homes model already carries NOAH+ and ANSI A119.5 certification, and our Extreme Weather Package is built for north Idaho winters.
3. Apply for a Building Location PermitSubmit your Building Location Permit application, meeting standard residential setbacks for your zone.
4. Coordinate other required permitsDepending on your parcel, you may also need separate permits for septic, well, driveway or encroachment, and electrical or plumbing connections.
5. Finalize placementConfirm your unit's siting and utility connections before final placement.

Source and verification

This page is based on Bonner County Revised Code, Title 12, Section 12-496 (Recreational Vehicles), and the Bonner County Planning Department's own Recreational Vehicle and Building Location Permit guidance.

Read Bonner County's recreational vehicle ordinance

Last verified by Snake River Tiny Homes: September 1, 2026

This page is provided for general information and is not legal advice. Zoning rules change and individual parcels vary. Buyers should confirm current requirements directly with Bonner County Planning before purchase.