NOAH+ vs RVIA Certification: Why the Difference Matters
Not all tiny home certifications are built to the same standard.
Schedule Free ConsultationCertification is one of the most confusing parts of buying a tiny home, mostly because there are two very different standards buyers run into: RVIA and NOAH+. They sound similar, but they were written for different purposes, and the gap between them affects financing, insurance, and where you are allowed to actually live in your home.
What is RVIA certification?
RVIA certification comes from the RV Industry Association and confirms that a unit meets recognized standards for recreational vehicles: things like electrical systems, LP gas systems, and general road safety. It was written for vehicles designed to travel and be used part-time, not for full-time residential occupancy. Many RVs, and some entry-level tiny homes, carry RVIA certification only.
What is NOAH+ certification?
NOAH+ certification comes from the National Organization of Alternative Housing and builds on the ANSI A119.5 park model standard, but goes further: NOAH+ incorporates International Residential Code (IRC) provisions wherever possible, including Appendix Q, the section of the IRC written specifically to cover tiny houses. That means a NOAH+ certified home is inspected against a meaningfully closer approximation of full residential building code than an RVIA-only certification requires. Every Snake River Tiny Homes model carries NOAH+ certification as a standard feature, at no extra cost. See our general certification page for more on what certification covers.
Why NOAH+ is a higher standard
RVIA was written for vehicles. NOAH+ was written with residential living in mind, referencing IRC provisions for things like structural framing, egress, fire safety and livability wherever they can reasonably apply to a park model home. That is the practical difference: an RVIA-only certification tells you a unit is safe to tow and hook up. A NOAH+ certification tells you the home was built and inspected against a standard written for people who actually live in it full-time. See how this plays out in practice on our tiny home vs RV or manufactured home comparison.
Why more municipalities are starting to require NOAH+
This distinction is not just theoretical. A growing number of municipalities are beginning to specifically require NOAH+ certification, rather than accepting RVIA certification alone, before they will permit a tiny home as a residence. Blaine County, Idaho is one example of a jurisdiction that now requires NOAH+ certification for tiny homes, reflecting a broader trend of local governments wanting IRC-level assurance before treating a park model as a legal dwelling. If you are planning to place a tiny home in a specific county or city, it is worth checking their current requirements before you buy. See our zoning page for what we know today, and we are glad to help you check your specific parcel.
SRTH may provide general information to help buyers navigate local zoning and permitting questions, but this is not legal advice, and buyers are solely responsible for confirming compliance with their local jurisdiction.
What this means for financing and insurance
Lenders and insurers rely on certification the same way a municipality does, as evidence the home was actually built to a recognized standard. A NOAH+ certified home is generally easier to finance and insure than an RVIA-only unit, because it meets a standard closer to conventional residential construction.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOAH+ better than RVIA?
Do Snake River Tiny Homes models carry NOAH+ certification?
Why do some municipalities require NOAH+ specifically?
Does certification affect financing or insurance?
Buy with the right certification.
Talk with our team about NOAH+ certification and what it means for your specific location.