In a world where minimalistic lifestyles and alternative housing solutions are gaining popularity, park model homes and tiny houses offer great flexibility for individuals seeking affordable and compact living spaces. However, despite their similarities, these dwellings have differences regarding structure, mobility, and legality. Recognizing these differences can help a buyer or renters with the information they need to make the best choice for them. This article outlines the key disparities between park model homes and tiny houses in terms of size, legal classification, and daily life.
What are Park Model Homes?
Park model homes are similar to cabins and coaches but are designed under the rules of RV structures rather than residential building codes. Highly specified for design and quality, they rely on factory craftsmanship by using relatively smaller parts that can be transported even after completion. Unlike traditional houses, a park model home is not a permanent residence and is primarily designed for short-term or seasonal use. While these houses can be toted around on a trailer chassis with wheels, they are generally placed in one location and left there for long stretches of time, usually in RV parks or campgrounds.
These types of homes are along the same lines as sub-contemporary tiny houses, but they more closely follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes for recreational vehicles than regular housing. However, they have a lot of the features that conventional homes include, such as full kitchens, bathrooms, and sometimes lofts. Being classified as RVs limits where and how they can be situated.
Park model homes are classified as RVs, so they follow special utility hookup guidelines found in U.S. regulations for recreational vehicles, including standard 120v electric service and water and sewer connections. In addition, these homes are typically quick to install as they do not require any special site preparation other than a flat pad and the hookup of necessary utilities. However, because they are legally considered RVs, park model homes are limited when it comes to zoning in most places and are generally restricted to a narrow handful of designated use cases, including RV parks or private property where laws allow for exempt-use residential dwellings.
What are Tiny Houses?
Tiny houses are actually inhabitable houses that are designed for long-term use. A tiny house is a small residence that can range from 100 to 500 square feet but is often as small as 120 square feet and may be constructed on wheels or built on a permanent foundation. Despite their similarities to park model homes in size, tiny houses are much more customizable.
Many tiny homes are not intended for frequent travel and are built to residential building codes rather than RV standards. For example, tiny homes built on a foundation must comply with local building codes and can be classified as permanent residences. When the tiny house is on wheels, zoning can be similar to park model homes, depending on local regulations.
The best part of tiny houses is that you can customize almost everything. With unique, eco-friendly or off-grid features can be added to a lot of the tiny homes, some owners decide to build them themselves or buy materials for their specific lifestyle. Although park model homes have somewhat more standardized floorplans, tiny houses provide greater flexibility in design, helping homeowners create their dream living space.
Tiny House vs. Park Model Home Key Differences
While the two might appear similar at first glance, being small in scale and promoting a healthier, more pared-down lifestyle than traditional home living, there are some pretty important distinctions to be aware of between park model homes and their tiny house counterparts.
Building Codes and Standards
Park model homes are constructed to the RV code of standards and are generally more relaxed in residential regulations, which also means that they are classified as temporary dwellings. This is significant for those in the market for a full-time home. Most tiny houses, particularly on a foundation, will meet residential code and be classified as permanent homes. This makes the rules of how long they can be in use more accommodating than for other types of alternative structures.
Size Limitations
Tiny homes were designed to be small houses, and while the two are compact by virtue of design, a tiny home will never be as big as 400 square feet due to legal limitations. Overall, tiny houses range in size much more than tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), with some models built on a foundation exceeding 400 square feet. The increase in square footage means that people interested in tiny homes can own a space that will offer them more area to live while keeping an attainable, simple lifestyle.
Mobility
Both can be mobile, but park model homes are designed for use in an RV park or campground. They are heavy and bulky, which restricts how they can be moved, often requiring permits and cooperation with local authorities. However, tiny houses on wheels are a good option for those who want to take their home with them wherever they go, like parked off-grid.
Customization
Tiny houses have the advantage of being more customizable and can be designed to fit your personal needs. Homeowners have the option to include distinguishing features such as solar panels, tile patterns, rainwater collection systems, and composting toilets. Although park model homes can be customized in many ways, they mostly follow a more standard template, so for those who want an unusual layout or lots of personal touches, they may not be the best choice.
Cost Comparison
Initial Costs
Park model homes range in price from $30,000 up to around $80,000, depending on the features included, the size, or location. Tiny houses, on the other hand, can be as low as $20,000 to more than $100,000 as the customizations you make add up to your build cost, and material costs for an on-site built house usually tend to be very similar to a full-sized house however pre fabrications of such homes also drive down the costs.
Long-Term Costs
Park model homes are often sited in special RV parks or campgrounds, where owners are responsible for utilities, maintenance, and parking. In contrast, tiny houses can carry extra expenses like buying land, building a foundation, or hooking up to utilities, depending on how they are meant to be used. That being said, tiny houses created for off-grid living can significantly decrease or remove many of these recurring costs.
Financing Options
Because park model homes are not eligible for regular mortgages, financing is limited to RV loans and personal loans. Tiny houses, especially if built on foundations, fall into the realm of traditional housing, meaning that you can apply for a mortgage through banks or credit unions, but because of the unconventional nature of the home, financing in this way may be hard due to the special nature of small homes.
Living Experience and Lifestyle
Lifestyle Flexibility
Tiny homes are more versatile in where and also exactly how they can be used. They can also be transported from one location to the other, thereby making them a plausible option for all those who wish to live a more nomadic lifestyle. Park model homes, although technically mobile, are designed for long-term placement in RV parks, whereas tiny houses are much smaller and generally contain all the amenities of a normal house.
Community and Use Cases
Typically located in an RV park or a vacation community, a park model is the perfect way to have a vacation home that you will live in during part of the year, if only seasonally. In contrast, tiny houses can be used as permanent residences, guest houses, or rental properties, making them more potential uses.
If you’re curious about real listings, you can browse hundreds of tiny houses for sale across the U.S. on specialized marketplaces
Conclusion
Park model homes and tiny houses are two unique options for people looking to scale back on their current lifestyle. If you want to have a temporary or seasonal home, especially in RV parks, then park model homes are an excellent choice for you. Tiny homes, however, are more customizable in design and long-term living, which makes this a flexible option for people looking for housing. Knowing the difference between park model homes and tiny houses can help future homeowners realize which layout is going to work best with their lifestyle and living goals.