Tennesee
Tiny Homes
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Tennessee Tiny Homes Zoning
Wind River Tiny Homes was born here in 2014. We’re currently building Tennessee tiny homes in our 9,000 square foot facility in Chattanooga—a special place that we call home. Tiny living offers a simpler, freer way of life, and there’s no better place to do it than right here in the beautiful state of Tennessee. The good news is that Tennessee is friendly to tiny home dwellers.
The Tennessee tiny homes movement is becoming a more popular housing option. Many counties and municipalities in Tennessee have opted out of the building codes and zoning, which means those areas don’t have zoning regulations or require a building permit. However, you are still required by state law to obtain an electrical and septic permit from the state unless local jurisdictions have their own building inspections and permitting. Furthermore, requirements and build codes can drastically vary from county to county, and some cities have their own unique zoning laws, so deciding where you want to place your tiny home before committing to a tiny house build is an important first step.
Below are some great resources to get you started on your Tennessee tiny home journey.
Tennessee Tiny Homes News & Resources
Tennessee Tiny Homes Communities
Tennessee Tiny Homes Building Considerations
Tennessee has a fairly moderate climate, but winter temperatures can still drop fairly low and summer are prone to high temps and humidity.
It’s important to ensure that your tiny home is built with dependable materials and has effective climate control and insulation. At Wind River, we use 2×4 framing and spray foam insulation. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing when the temperature rises. Additionally, we use LP SmartSide for a low-maintenance and durable siding that won’t warp or change with fluctuating temperatures (and which can be painted in any custom color(s) you like).
You’ll also need a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your Tennessee tiny home, and may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your home as well. This will work hand in hand with your insulation and framing to keep the heat and moisture out and the cold in.
We recommend giving thought to the placement of your tiny home on your site as well. Consider landscaping that will increase the comfort of your home as well as its curb appeal. For example, placing your tiny home in a shaded area or planting trees and shrubbery can give you free added heat protection during the summer months.
Another key design element for Tennessee tiny homes is an exterior deck, especially if you’re planning on entertaining. We recommend a combination of sunning space as well as a covered area for hotter summer days. The covered portion of your deck can also be screened to help keep out the bugs. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan, and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.
Finally, Tennessee can be prone to severe weather. You may want to consider the safety options for your tiny home. There are industry practices to keep tiny home dwellings safe and secure. Read this blog post on Setting Up Your Tiny Home – Blocking, Anchoring, and Skirting. As well as this blog post on Crisis Preparation for Tiny Living to get you started.
