Park model tiny homes in Fresno, California

What Fresno allows

Fresno's 2016 ordinance made it the first city in the nation to write tiny-home-on-wheels rules directly into its development code, well before most jurisdictions began considering the question. A certified Movable Tiny House can be added behind an existing single-family home as a "Backyard Cottage," a specific type of accessory dwelling unit, with a simpler Zone Clearance review rather than a discretionary Conditional Use Permit. This is a well-established, mature ordinance, not a recent or experimental one.

• Sited behind the primary dwelling, unless attached and integral to it
• Maximum 440 square feet of total floor area
• Minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet (interior lot) or 5,000 square feet (corner lot)
• Wheels, tires and undercarriage must be concealed with skirting once parked
• Shares utility connections and address with the primary residence; separate meters are not permitted
• Unit entrance must not be visible from the street, with an exception for corner lots facing the opposite street
• Only one Backyard Cottage permitted per lot, and not permitted as the primary dwelling unit
• Property owner must reside in one of the two units, under a recorded restrictive covenant

How the process generally works

1. Confirm your lot qualifiesConfirm your property is zoned for a single-family residence within Fresno city limits (not unincorporated Fresno County, which has different rules) and meets the minimum lot size.
2. Choose a certified modelEvery Snake River Tiny Homes model already carries NOAH+ certification, meeting the ANSI A119.5 standard the ordinance requires, and stays under the 440 square foot limit.
3. Apply for Zone ClearanceWork with the city's Development and Resource Management Department for a Zone Clearance review, a simpler process than a discretionary permit, along with the required restrictive covenant for owner occupancy.
4. Prepare the sitePrepare a concrete pad behind the primary dwelling with the required separation, and plan for shared utility connections since separate meters aren't permitted.
5. Deliver and installOnce your Zone Clearance is approved, we handle delivery and coordinate installation, including skirting to conceal the undercarriage.

Source and verification

This page is based on Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2754 (Backyard Cottage standards) and Section 15-6802 (Tiny House definition), as confirmed by the City of Fresno's own tiny home submittal requirements guidance.

Last verified by Snake River Tiny Homes: September 6, 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 the City of Fresno before purchase.