Park model tiny homes in Valley County, Idaho

What Valley County allows

Valley County offers two paths to the same result: a certified park model tiny home you can live in full time. The path depends on whether the home keeps its tongue and wheels. Both paths require the home to meet the roof snow load for its site, which runs from 120 to 150 pounds per square foot in Valley County.

• Wheels on: keep the tongue and wheels attached and apply through Planning and Zoning with the Placement Permit Application, checking "Park Model" as the structure type
• Wheels off: remove the tongue and wheels and apply through the Building Department with the Building Permit Application, with no inspections required
• The home may be lived in as a full-time residence on either path
• The home must meet the roof snow load for its site address, from 120 to 150 psf
• Residential buildings must sit at least 30 feet from high water lines and ditches, and at least 100 feet from the Highway 55 right of way
• A site plan is required, showing property line distances, other structures, easements, waterways, driveway, well, and septic
• Subdivision CC&Rs may add their own restrictions

How the process generally works

1. Confirm your parcel with the countyCall Valley County Planning and Zoning to confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Valley County and to check any subdivision CC&Rs.
2. Get the snow load for your addressAsk the Valley County Building Department for the roof snow load at your site address, then share it with us so we can match a model and options to your site.
3. Choose your pathDecide whether the home will keep its tongue and wheels (Placement Permit) or have them removed (Building Permit).
4. Prepare your site plan and approvalsShow setbacks measured from the eaves, plus well, septic, driveway, and waterway locations. Get Central District Health authorization for septic and a driveway approach permit for any new driveway off a public road.
5. Submit and schedule deliveryMail or drop off your application at the county office in Cascade. Applications are not accepted by email. Once the permit is issued, we schedule delivery.

Source and verification

This page is based on the Valley County Placement Permit Application (updated November 28, 2024, citing Valley County Code 6-1 and 9-4), the Valley County Building Permit Application, and direct confirmation from Hannah Smith, Permit Technician, and Annette Derrick, Building Official, that a certified park model tiny home can be a full-time residence with the wheels on or off.

Visit the Valley County Building Department

Last verified by Snake River Tiny Homes: October 21, 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 Valley County Planning and Zoning or the Valley County Building Department before purchase.