TINY HOMES ON FOUNDATIONS FAQ's

Financing a tiny home on a foundation or a skid is different than a tiny home on wheels.  

This needs to be a loan that is acquired from a bank or a credit union.  Although there are no typical mortgages for tiny homes, you will be wanting to ask for a construction loan or a chattel loan.  A Teacup Tiny Home on a foundation is considered a manufactured, ready-to-move dwelling.  In using these words when you talk to your bank, it should help with a successful transaction.  

To acquire a loan you will need a location, good credit, and proper income to show you can pay back the loan. 

Finding a legal location for a tiny home starts with doing your research.

If located in Ontario, Bianca from The Giving Tree is a consultant that will help you with bylaws and the municipality.

For other areas in Canada, you may be able to rent land or purchase it.  If there is already a home on the land, the property will need to be zoned for a secondary suite or dwelling.   You will also need a full set of plans to get a building permit.  Our team will help you with this process once you sign up to work with our team.

Our design team can provide a foundation plan for you, however, you will need to get a plot plan for the individual piece of land.  

The tiny will be craned onto a trailer and trucked to the destination.  We can include the costs of delivery to the destination.  It is the responsibility of the homeowner to do site prep and install the tiny on-site.  There are many contractors who will do this work and it is easiest to subcontract it out to certified trade individuals.  You will also need to get an installation permit from the municipality.  

Before you proceed with putting a tiny home in your backyard, it is important to know if the municipality will allow it. 

If you alread have a home on your land look into an  Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) There are a few important things to consider and steps to follow. Here are the general steps:

1. Check local zoning regulations: Before you start planning for an ADU, check with your local municipality to ensure that you are allowed to build an ADU in your backyard. Every municipality has its own zoning regulations and bylaws, so it's essential to check the specific requirements for your property.

2. Plan and design your ADU: Once you have verified that an ADU is permitted on your property, start designing your ADU.  This is when you call the Teacup Team. This can include the size, layout, and features you want in the unit.  Teacup will ensure that your plans meet all building codes and safety requirements.

3. Obtain necessary permits: Once you have designed your ADU, you will need to obtain any necessary permits from your local municipality. This may include placement permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and more. It's essential to ensure that all permits are in place before starting construction to avoid any legal issues.

4. Build your ADU: After obtaining all necessary permits, we can begin building your ADU. 

5. Inspections: Once your ADU is built, you will need to get inspections for your connections to city services as well as for your installation on your site.  Teacup Tiny Homes is a certified manufactured home builder which means all of the inspections needed for your home are done in our manufacturing facility. You will need to schedule inspections for your site installation.

6. Obtain occupancy permit: After all inspections have been passed, you will need to obtain an occupancy permit before anyone can live in the ADU.

7. Renting out the ADU: If you plan to rent out your ADU, you may need to obtain additional permits and follow local landlord and tenant regulations.

Remember that these steps may vary slightly depending on the specific regulations in your area. It's always a good idea to consult with your local municipality and a licensed professional before starting any project.

To legally put a tiny home on your land as a full-time dwelling it will have to be installed on a type of foundation and connected to services.

If there is already a home on the property, you will need to look into a secondary suite or an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)

Zoning rules for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) can vary depending on the specific municipality or jurisdiction in which you live. Here are some common zoning rules that may apply to ADUs:

1. Zoning District: ADUs may be permitted in certain zoning districts, such as residential zoning districts, and may be prohibited in other zoning districts, such as commercial or industrial zoning districts.

2. Lot Size Requirements: Some municipalities may have specific minimum lot size requirements for properties that can have ADUs. For example, a municipality may require a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet to have an ADU.

3. Setbacks: Setbacks are the minimum distance required between the ADU and your property lines, as well as any existing structures on your property. Setbacks can vary depending on your specific location and zoning district.

4. Occupancy Limits: Some municipalities may have occupancy limits for ADUs, such as a maximum number of occupants allowed in the ADU.

5. Design and Size Requirements: Many municipalities have specific design and size requirements for ADUs. For example, a municipality may limit the square footage of an ADU or require that the ADU meets specific design standards.

6. Parking Requirements: Some municipalities may require additional parking for ADUs, depending on your specific location and zoning district.

7. Owner-Occupancy Requirements: Some municipalities may require that either the primary residence or the ADU must be owner-occupied, meaning that the property owner must live on the property in either the primary residence or the ADU.

8. Permit Requirements: You'll need to obtain all necessary permits from your local municipality before building an ADU, including building permits, electrical permits, and plumbing permits.

It's important to note that these zoning rules can vary significantly depending on where you live. It's always a good idea to consult with your local municipality to ensure that you understand all zoning regulations and requirements before beginning construction on your ADU.