Berkeley advances plan to allow tiny homes on wheels as ADUs

Berkeley has put a formal proposal on the table that could change how tiny houses on wheels fit into city neighborhoods. The City posted its City Council e-Agenda on January 8, 2026 for the January 20 meeting, and Item 19 refers to the City Manager a proposal to allow tiny homes on wheels as permissible accessory dwelling units, asking staff to develop the permitting pathway and related guidance.

The referral seeks an amendment to Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 23.306, the ADU rules, to recognize detached dwellings under 400 square feet that may retain their wheels, rest on pads instead of foundations, and connect to utilities via RV-style hookups. The language on the agenda frames this as a way to treat such units as legal ADUs rather than as temporary or unpermitted structures, which could affect how homeowners and landlords plan backyard dwellings and supplemental housing.

City staff are asked to coordinate across Planning, Building & Safety, and Fire departments to build a clear, workable permitting process. The agenda also suggests the creation of guidance documents and the possibility of pre-approved prefabricated tiny-home models to speed review and reduce back-and-forth during inspections. That coordinated approach matters: it aims to resolve common stumbling blocks for tiny-house projects, like foundation requirements, utility connections, and fire and safety compliance, without forcing owners to remove axles or relocate units to long-term RV parks.

For the tiny-house community the change could lower barriers and cost for creating legal ADUs, especially for homeowners who prefer wheels-on designs or who want units that can be moved. Treating RV-style hookups and pad siting as acceptable could simplify plumbing, electrical and inspection plans, though final standards on setbacks, utilities, utility metering, and occupancy will depend on the staff recommendations and subsequent code amendments.

The council will consider the item at the January 20 meeting after the agenda posting was certified on January 8. Full item text and staff contacts are available on Berkeley’s official agenda page: berkeleyca.gov/city-council-regular-meeting-eagenda-january-20-2026

The takeaway? This is a potentially big step toward normalizing wheels-on tiny homes in Berkeley, but it’s the permitting details that will decide whether projects become straightforward or still bog down in red tape. Our two cents? Follow the staff drafting, review the proposed guidance when it’s released, and reach out to the listed contacts on the agenda page before you buy or site a tiny home so you don’t get surprised by code or utility requirements.