Best Places for Tiny Homes in Oregon (2025)

What Makes a County 'Tiny Home Friendly' in Oregon?

Oregon has long been a haven for the tiny home movement, but for years, finding a legal spot for a Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) felt like searching for a unicorn. You were often limited to RV parks or a temporary "medical hardship" permit. But the landscape has dramatically shifted, and 2025 is the year Oregon truly opens its doors.

The game-changer is a state law known as Senate Bill 1013. Passed in 2023, it gives counties the green light to allow one THOW or RV as a legal, long-term rental dwelling on rural residential properties that already have a main house. This single piece of legislation is transforming rural Oregon into one of the most promising places in the country to live tiny.

A "tiny home friendly" county in Oregon is one that has officially adopted rules to implement SB 1013. These counties have done the work to create a clear, legal pathway for you to place your home. For a deep dive into the specifics of this and other state-level rules, be sure to check out our comprehensive Oregon Tiny Home Laws: A 2025 Placement Guide.

So, which counties are leading the charge? Let's explore the best places for tiny homes in Oregon right now.

Top Tier: Deschutes, Lane, and Clackamas Counties

These three counties have moved quickly to embrace the new state law, creating some of the best counties for tiny homes in Oregon. They offer clear, well-defined rules for placing your THOW on private land.

Deschutes County: High Desert Dream

Home to Bend, Redmond, and Sisters, Deschutes County is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. As of May 2025, they have a formal program for siting a tiny home as a rental unit in unincorporated areas.

• Zoning: This is allowed in Rural Residential (RR-10), Multiple Use Agricultural (MUA-10), and other similar zones.
• Land Needed: You'll generally need a property of at least 2 acres.
• Key Rules for a Deschutes County Tiny Home: The county is serious about wildfire safety. You'll need to create a 20-foot "defensible space" of non-combustible ground cover around your home. Your THOW must also be placed on a gravel or paved pad and be within 100 feet of the main house.
• Good to Know: Under current rules, a property can have an ADU or an SB 1013 tiny home, but not both.

Lane County: Valley and Coastal Charm

From the bustling city of Eugene to the scenic coast of Florence, Lane County offers incredible diversity. They adopted their ordinance in January 2025, making them another top-tier choice.

• Zoning: The rules apply to properties in Rural Residential (RR) zones.
• Crucial Restriction: Lane County explicitly prohibits placing these rental RVs in designated floodplains. This is a critical detail to check before buying or leasing land.
• Simple Process: The county has streamlined the process, requiring you to meet the standards (like a 10-foot separation from other structures) but avoiding a complex discretionary permit.

Clackamas County: Close to the Action

Stretching from the Portland suburbs to the majestic Mt. Hood, Clackamas County was an early adopter, passing its rules in September 2024. They offer a great mix of rural living with easy access to urban amenities.

• Zoning Flexibility: Uniquely, Clackamas allows THOWs as second dwellings in both rural residential zones and certain urban low-density residential zones outside of city limits.
• Requirements: The focus here is on proper utility connections. You'll need to show permitted water, wastewater (septic or sewer), and electrical hookups.

The Urban Pioneer: Why Portland is a Top Choice

When it comes to tiny home friendly cities in Oregon, Portland stands in a class of its own. Long before the state passed SB 1013, the City of Portland had a progressive policy allowing one "Occupied Recreational Vehicle" on most residential lots.

Under Zoning Code 33.260.205, you can place a THOW on a property that already has a house. The key is doing it right:

• Placement: Your tiny home must be parked on a compliant surface. If it's a towable THOW, this can be a gravel pad, but it must generally be behind the front line of the main house.
• Utilities: This is non-negotiable. You can't just run an extension cord across the lawn. You need a proper electrical connection (like a dedicated 20-amp GFCI outlet) and a legal connection to the sewer system, often via the main house's cleanout.
• No Short-Term Rentals: Like the new county rules, this is for full-time living, not for Airbnb.

Portland’s forward-thinking approach makes it one of the easiest urban areas in the entire country to legally live in a THOW.

Oregon's Best Tiny Home Communities for Full-Time Living

Don't own land? No problem. Oregon is home to some fantastic communities designed specifically for tiny living. These offer a great sense of community and handle all the zoning and utility headaches for you.

Here are a few of the most popular Oregon tiny home communities:

1. Tiny Tranquility (Waldport): Located on the beautiful Oregon coast, Tiny Tranquility Oregon is arguably the most famous tiny home village in the state. It's designed exclusively for long-term residents in THOWs and vintage RVs. With a community garden, dog park, and shared lodge, it's a full-featured neighborhood.
2. Mt. Hood Tiny House Village (Welches): While known for its popular vacation rentals, this village is part of a larger RV resort that offers long-term site leases. It's a perfect spot if you want to live at the base of the mountain with year-round recreational opportunities.
3. Hope Valley Resort (Turner): This luxury 55+ gated community near Salem is designed for Park Model RVs. Residents own their beautiful homes and lease the land, enjoying amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and pickleball courts.
4. Emerald Village (Eugene): A model for affordable housing, this community features permanent tiny homes on foundations. While not a place for THOWs, it's an inspiring example of how tiny homes can create community and provide housing solutions.

Counties with More Restrictions (And What to Know)

While some counties have jumped on board with new laws, others are moving more slowly or have different priorities. In counties like Jackson, Marion, and Washington, your options are currently more limited.

In these areas, the primary legal pathways are often:

• Medical Hardship Permits: This is the classic "loophole" available statewide. It allows a temporary dwelling (including a THOW) for a person who needs care from someone living in the main house. It requires a doctor's note and must be renewed, typically every two years.
• Permanent ADUs: Some counties, like Jackson, are focusing more on allowing permanent, stick-built ADUs under 900 sq. ft. rather than THOWs.
• Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) Zones: Placing a home on protected farmland is a completely different ballgame. In agriculturally-focused counties like Marion, a THOW is generally only permissible as a "farm help dwelling," which requires proving you are essential to the farm's operation. This is a complex area with strict rules. To learn more, read our dedicated guide: Tiny Homes on Oregon Farm Land: EFU Rules.

Choosing Your Region: Coast, Valley, or High Desert?

With so many great options emerging, your final decision might come down to lifestyle. The new laws have opened up every corner of this beautiful state.

• The Coast: Dream of misty mornings and ocean breezes? Look for land in rural Lane County or secure a spot in a premier community like Tiny Tranquility.
• The Willamette Valley: If you want to be near the cultural hubs of Portland or Eugene, explore the progressive policies in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Lane counties.
• The High Desert: For sun-seekers and mountain adventurers, the new rules in Deschutes County make it the ultimate destination for a tiny home base camp.

Oregon is in a golden age for tiny living. By understanding the new county-level rules, you can confidently find the perfect place to park your dream home. To explore all your options and see how Clever Tiny Homes can help you on your journey, visit our main Oregon location page for more resources and information.