Tiny homes on wheels in Portland, Oregon

What Portland allows

Portland treats an inhabited tiny house on wheels as an occupied recreational vehicle rather than as a conventional building or detached ADU. The city allows one such unit on a developed residential lot that already contains a house, attached house or manufactured home, provided the placement and utility requirements are met.

• One occupied tiny home on wheels per developed residential lot with an existing primary dwelling
• Wheels remain attached so the unit stays mobile
• The unit must comply with residential RV parking and siting rules and be at least five feet from the primary dwelling
• Electrical service is required through a dedicated outlet or service pedestal; an electrical permit may be needed if the circuit does not already exist
• Sanitation, water and wastewater handling must comply with Portland's rules; permanent or permitted connections may be required depending on the setup
• The unit does not count toward residential density under the city's occupied-RV rules
• Accessory short-term rental use is prohibited under this pathway

How the process generally works

1. Confirm the property is inside Portland city limitsPortland's occupied-RV and tiny-home-on-wheels rules apply within the City of Portland. Properties in unincorporated Multnomah County or another city may follow different rules.
2. Confirm the lot is developed with a primary dwellingThis pathway is for a residential lot that already has a house, attached house or manufactured home. It is not a standalone-lot pathway.
3. Check siting and parking standardsConfirm the exact location on the lot, required separation from the primary dwelling, driveway or parking-surface rules, and whether the proposed location is allowed under Section 33.266.150.
4. Plan utilities before deliveryElectrical service is required, and water, wastewater and sanitation must be handled in a manner the city allows. Obtain any needed electrical or plumbing permits before delivery.
5. Confirm model registration and documentationOregon DMV may title a tiny house on wheels as a camper, travel trailer or park model RV depending on size and configuration. Confirm the documentation for the exact model and intended use before purchase.

Source and verification

This page is based on current City of Portland Permitting & Development guidance for Occupied Recreational Vehicles and Tiny Houses on Wheels, Portland Zoning Code Chapter 33.260, Section 33.266.150, and current Oregon DMV guidance for tiny home trailers and park model recreational vehicles.

Last verified by Snake River Tiny Homes: September 12, 2026

This page is provided for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change and individual properties vary. Buyers should confirm current requirements directly with Portland Permitting & Development and Oregon DMV before purchase or delivery.