If you’re a Portland homeowner and have considered adding a tiny home to your property, there’s good news. Portland has an easy, straightforward path to adding housing to your existing lot. How? A Park Model RV, or tiny home on wheels, is considered an occupational recreational vehicle, not an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). It meets city rules, avoids the complexity that comes with securing major building permits, and provides a cozy housing solution that will add value to your property and provide comfort for years to come.

A Comfortable Housing Solution
A Park Model RV by NW Tiny Homes is a great solution. Whether you’re looking to downsize or simplify your living or want to get creative on how to welcome guests to your property or bring in rental income, more Portland residents are discovering the ease and convenience of tiny home living.

Especially ideal for aging parents who want to live nearby family or young adults looking to have an affordable place of their own, these tiny homes are popular due to their low costs and comfort. Most loans are between just $550 to $800 per month – a more inexpensive option for many people looking to save up for a larger home or are living on a fixed income. Other tiny home customers choose to purchase these as vacation homes or as rental investments, while others like to use them as a home office or studio that can double as guest quarters.

NW Tiny Homes offers high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions and has worked with clients across Portland to add Park Model RVs to their property. Erica Patstone, co-owner at the company said, “It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to offer tiny homes as an affordable, flexible housing solution – whether they're used as a primary dwelling for yourself, secondary dwelling for a loved one, or long-term rental to expand housing capacity.”

What To Expect
Portland rules for occupied RVs and tiny homes on wheels allow for one on a developed residential lot that already has a house, attached house, or manufactured home. The home on wheels must be parked behind the front area of the primary house, and wheels must always stay on and then secured with levels on blocks or piers. Short-term rentals are not allowed, but long-term living is. You’ll need simple, RV-style hookups, including a dedicated outdoor electrical connection for the home, a potable water connection, a hose rated for drinking water, and an RV-style sewer tie-in to the main house sewer line that is installed by a licensed plumber. If the tiny home has a gas range, dryer and/or water heater, propane or natural gas will also be required.

Ready to make the leap to tiny home living?

2026 is a great time to consider adding a tiny home to your Portland-area property. Jimmy Hickey, co-owner at NW Tiny Homes said, “We strive to go beyond just selling a home by offering resources and assistance throughout the entire planning, buying, and setup process. Our innovative, educational approach is designed to inform and support customers every step of the way.”

To learn more about tiny homes and to see which style would work for your property, visit the NW Tiny Homes site today.