QUICK FACTS:
Are Tiny Houses Legal In Kentucky: Yes
Tiny House Costs In Kentucky: $25,000 – $200,000
Tiny House Friendly Cities: Frankfort, Louisville
Mighty Small Homes Louisville, Kentucky
Ky Tiny Homes Nicholasville, Kentucky
Beckley Tiny Homes Central Kentucky
West Kentucky Trailer Sales Murray, Kentucky
T.P.D Trailer Sales Dexter, Kentucky
J&T Trailers Lebanon, Kentucky
Tiny Houses For Sale In Kentucky
There are many reasons residents decide to move into a tiny house in Kentucky! Make a home in the Bluegrass State and enjoy a low cost of living, many opportunities for outdoor adventures, gorgeous natural landscapes, and tasty regional cuisine.
Zephyr Creek Crossing
Zephyr Creek Crossing is an intentional living community located near Richmond, Kentucky. This community is located approximately 10 miles off I-75 and 40 miles south of Lexington. It’s close enough to commute to work and shop in the city while giving residents a rural haven to live in day to day.
In 2008, Andy and Sue Blyth purchased 5 acres to begin building Zephyr Creek Crossing. Today, the property is filled out with four small cabins and a main house, as well as many shared communal spaces. Residents of Zephyr Creek occasionally eat meals together, chat over coffee, or complete life’s tasks alongside one another. Common facilities include a common house, garden and orchard, vehicle share, a library, workshop, outbuilding, large kitchen, laundry, farm equipment, fire pit, and internet.
Zephyr Creek Crossing has established mutual goals of self-sufficiency, working together for the common good, and becoming more socially and environmentally conscious. If you are interested in renting or co-owning the property with money or sweat equity, contact Andy or Sue Blyth through their Facebook page.
Tiny House Kentucky Facebook page
The Tiny House Kentucky Facebook page is a group created for those in Kentucky who are interested in the tiny house movement. In this group, members can post and ask questions about the tiny living movement.
Eastern Kentucky Homesteaders
Eastern Kentucky Homesteaders is a Facebook group created for homesteaders in eastern Kentucky looking to connect with other homesteaders and farmers in the area. In the group, members can discuss and share ideas about alternative energy, food growth and preparation, off-grid living, homemade products, building ideas, emergency prepping, and more.
Kentucky Gardeners
Kentucky Gardeners is a Facebook group for those in Kentucky who love gardening and want to discuss any and everything to do with gardening. Members can share tips and knowledge on how to grow crops and plants in Kentucky as well as share resources and ideas for gardeners at all skill levels.
Are Tiny Houses On Foundation Legal In Kentucky?
Yes! The State of Kentucky defers to Appendix Q from the 2018 International Residential Code when it comes to tiny houses on foundation. Appendix Q is applicable to tiny houses used as single-dwelling units. The appendix loosens some various requirements within the general code as they apply to houses that are 400 square feet or less.
Here are some of the regulations worth noting:
- Habitable space and hallways in tiny houses shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches.
- Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and kitchens shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 4 inches. Obstructions such as beams, girders, ducts, and lighting shall not extend below the minimum ceiling heights mentioned above.
- Lofts may have ceiling heights less than 6 feet 8 inches.
- Lofts shall have a floor area of not less than 35 square feet and shall not be less than 5 feet in any horizontal dimension.
- The loft guards shall be located along the open side of the lofts.
- Loft guards shall not be less than 36 inches in height or one-half of the clear height to the ceiling, whichever is less.
- Tiny houses shall meet the requirements of Section R310 in the One-and-Two-Family Dwelling Building Code for Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings.
- In lofts used as sleeping rooms, egress roof access windows shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Section R310.
- Windows shall be installed such that the bottom of the opening is not more than 44 inches above the loft floor, provided the egress roof access window complies with the minimum opening area requirements of Section R310.2.1.
Defer to Appendix Q to parse through the additional regulations that may be applicable to your tiny home.
Are Tiny Houses On Wheels Legal In Kentucky?
It’s hard to say exactly whether or not tiny houses on wheels are legal in the State of Kentucky. It honestly depends on which city or county you reside in. Some cities allow tiny homes on wheels with permits, some classify THOWs as recreational vehicles through the state, and some ban them altogether.
To understand if you’re allowed to live in a tiny house on wheels in Kentucky, contact your local municipality about the exact laws and restrictions in the city or county that you live in.
Tiny House Laws in Key Kentucky Cities: Local Zoning Ordinances
While some cities have specifically allowed tiny houses into their city-wide zoning codes, other cities in Kentucky have restrictions which make it illegal to live in a tiny home. Contact your local representative to discover if tiny houses are legal in the city you live in.
Louisville, Kentucky
The Louisville metro area of Kentucky has its own laws regarding tiny homes. The city of Louisville divides tiny dwellings into three categories with different ramifications for each type.
- Permanent/site-built: These tiny homes built on a foundation are reviewed and processed the same as any new home.
- Prefabricated/modular: Tiny house kits can fall under this category. They are typically fabricated off-site, assembled on-site, and then placed on foundations. Additional documentation and review may be required with this option. If the structure is assembled completely off-site then it would be classified as “pre-manufactured,” and would require prior approval by the State of Kentucky.
- Portable: Tiny houses on wheels would fall under this category, and would not be intended for permanent placement on a site. Tiny houses on wheels are still subject to Louisville zoning requirements.
Tiny House Building Codes In Kentucky:
Tiny House Laws In Kentucky:
*Disclaimer: The information provided on this website should not be taken as an expert opinion, consultation, or advisement of any kind. Building codes, home building, zoning, local laws etc are complicated and ultimately your responsibility to execute legally and safely. You must do your own research, consult with and verify with all applicable authorities, local officials, regulatory bodies, code and zoning officials, and city/state/federal governments. See our full legal page for further information here: https://thetinylife.com/about-us/legal/
Did you forget Boxvana? You did a podcast episode with them and they are (I think) in Kentucky!