The top 10 tiny home communities in Florida offer some of the best options for renters and buyers who want to experience minimalist living in a big way.
Over the last several years, more counties in Florida have changed their housing laws to make tiny home living more accessible to residents. Although counties vary when it comes to tiny home rules and regulations, Florida is relatively friendly when it comes to tiny living.
The state is considered one of the most tiny-home-friendly locales in the nation, and renters and buyers have many opportunities to enjoy tiny living. Below are the top ten tiny home communities in Florida as rated by residents and visitors.
What are Tiny Homes?
Tiny homes are small, typically under 400 square feet, fully functional houses that prioritize simplicity and efficiency in their design. These homes can be stationary or mobile, offering a flexible housing solution for those looking to downsize, reduce their environmental impact, or live a more minimalist lifestyle.
Tiny homes come in various forms, from sleek modern designs to cozy rustic cabins, and can be customized to meet the needs and preferences of their owners. Despite their small size, tiny homes often include all the amenities of a traditional home, including a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and sleeping space.
One of the key features of tiny homes is their efficient use of space. Designers of tiny homes often incorporate clever storage solutions, multifunctional furniture, and innovative design elements to maximize every square inch of space. This allows tiny homeowners to live comfortably and efficiently in a small footprint.
Tiny homes can be built using a variety of materials and construction methods, from traditional stick-built construction to prefabricated modular units. Some tiny homes are built on foundations, while others are built on trailers, allowing them to be easily moved from place to place.
Overall, tiny homes offer a unique and alternative housing option for those looking to simplify their lives, reduce their environmental impact, or explore a more minimalist lifestyle. With their creative design and efficient use of space, tiny homes prove that you don't need a lot of space to live comfortably and stylishly.
Orlando Lakefront at College Park
Orlando Lakefront at College Park is a blossoming tiny home community with excellent amenities. The park was initially launched in the 1950s to serve as a community for RVs. However, tiny homeowners can also enjoy the community.
Orlando Lakefront at College Park is a good option for tiny homeowners who need a place to park their houses. The community currently has forty tiny homes on wheels and two on solid foundations. Residents can lease a lot for around $560 to $770 monthly. The community features a dock for boating or fishing, a laundromat, a community garden, a fire pit, hammocks, and plenty of green space and walking paths to connect with nature.
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Tiny House Siesta
Tiny House Siesta is a unique village based in beautiful Siesta Key, a fantastic barrier known for its sandy beaches. The beaches are made of quartz crystal, which is silky and cool to the touch. Tiny House Siesta offers short-term rentals in unique tiny homes with distinctive characters and interesting names, like the Margarita, Flamingo, or Starfish home. The homes are cute, clean, and comfortable. The community offers a taste of tiny living so potential renters and buyers can first discover if a tiny home is right for them.
The homes are well stocked with everything one might need for their stay - shampoo, towels, soaps, utensils, linens, sheets, and dishes. There’s also plenty of storage space for personal items. Tiny House Siesta is ideal if a quirky, colorful, tiny home sounds like a dream.
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Matlacha Tiny Village
Matlacha Tiny Village was an RV park once upon a time, but today, it’s a vibrant village of tiny homes that offer a taste of the minimalist lifestyle. The homes are clean and surprisingly spacious, with excellent use of every nook and cranny. The homes are only available for short term rentals and are often used by vacationers or people who want to experience tiny living. People who want a taste of tiny living only need to bring their clothes, as homes have all the necessities for daily life.
Matlacha Tiny Village is the perfect place for those who want an authentic taste of tiny life without committing to the lifestyle permanently. On average, rentals begin at around $150 per night. Matlacha Tiny Village has a beautiful dock for boats and swimming and a picnic area with grills. The homes are nestled along the beach, making it an ideal spot for people who enjoy water activities. Matlacha Tiny Village is a hidden gem and has attracted people worldwide who want to experience tiny living.
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Gracious Tiny House Park
Gracious Tiny House Park is near beautiful Lake Okeechobee, one of Florida's best places to fish. The community is friendly, and neighbors are like a tight-knit family. The managers of Gracious Tiny House Park go above and beyond to ensure that residents have everything they need to feel at home.
Gracious Tiny House Park is on a serene lake, and tiny homeowners can park on the lakefront for a fantastic view. The tiny home park also has a clubhouse that is very socially active. Game nights, potluck dinners, luncheons, and general socializing are a bonus to the tiny living community. Gracious Tiny House Park is one of the most affordable tiny home communities in Florida. Leasing space ranges from $350-$400 monthly. The fee includes water, sewer, trash, lawn care, and electric hookups.
Circle Pond Tiny Home Community
Circle Pond Tiny Home Community is an award-winning community highly rated for environmental sustainability. Initially, The community was a mobile home park but transitioned into a tiny home village when its developers decided to repurpose it for a more innovative and modern neighborhood. Circle Pond is a picturesque property on almost five acres of land with a beautiful community garden that produces fresh food year-round. New residents receive their very own raised garden bed upon arrival.
Circle Pond lot leases cost $475 monthly and cover the lot and essential utilities - water, sewer, trash, and electricity. The popularity of Circle Pond has made it a high-demand community. With only twelve properties at Circle Pond and 24 total lots, the community is booked to capacity and has a waiting list. Circle Pond is perfect for green thumbs who want to live in a community focused on sustainability.
Cross Creek Village - Tiny House / RV Community
Cross Creek Village is a waterfront tiny home community in Leesburg, Florida. The peaceful community is ideal for tiny home dwellers who want to escape the city and downsize. Tiny home rentals at Cross Creek Village include electricity, water, trash, sewer, and basic cable. The community is also working on rent-to-own options to make tiny home ownership more accessible.
The best amenities of Cross Creek Village are the dock and boat launch, perfect for people who like to fish and enjoy water activities. Residents can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding on the creek. The village is directly on Haynes Creek, one of Florida’s best freshwater fishing and boating destinations.
Simple Life at Lakeshore
Simple Life at Lakeshore is a charming cottage home community comprised of a range of different home styles. The smallest cottages in the community are around 397 square feet, with the largest plans at 1,360 square feet. Simple Life at Lakeshore is a great option for tiny home dwellers who want to go tiny yet still want some extra room to grow.
The cottages at Simple Life come in a variety of designs and layouts. Each house is simple, practical, well-thought-out, and charming. The homes have luxurious modern finishes, high quality features like quartz countertops, and plenty of storage space for tiny living. All homes at Simple Life at Lakeshore are turn-key for a quick move-in. Simple Life at Lakeshore is perfect for a single person or couple who wants to elevate their quality of life while simultaneously going tiny and simple.
Simple Life is a maintenance-free community. Amenities include a community pool for the hot Florida days, a fitness center, a fire pit, a dog park, and a clubhouse. There is also a fantastic lake and observation deck. The community is located on Lake Andrew, providing residents with peaceful water views.
Escape Tampa Bay - The Oaks Community
Escape Tampa Bay, specifically the Oaks Community, is an amazing tiny home community that consistently receives glowing reviews from people who have had the fantastic opportunity to experience the village. The community is fairly new and thoughtfully designed within a lush tropical atmosphere.
The homes are well-built with cypress wood and spacious decks with plenty of outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining. Although the houses are tiny, they are well designed with large windows to bring in lots of light, vaulted ceilings, plenty of shelving, hidden drawers, and storage. The community is intimate, with only ten tiny homes. Homes range in price from around $50K to over $160K and they do not last long, although rentals are available. The community prefers long-term renters who want to reside in the community for at least nine months. Lot fees include water, sewer, trash, lawn care, and security. Residents who want a relaxing lifestyle will appreciate Escape Tampa Bay Village.
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village is an excellent spot for vacationers and short-term renters who want sunshine and ocean views. The village is located on the Ohio Key, only an hour from Key West, Florida.
The village has five homes, each with a distinct personality and name: Kai, Isla, Pearl, Lucy, and Hemingway. Each home is less than 350 square feet, yet thoughtfully designed so that residents feel they have plenty of space. The village is pricey, with fees ranging from $250 to $300 per night. Sunshine Key Tiny House Village is perfect for a long-term vacation or a weekend taste of tiny living in the Florida Keys.
Braveheart Properties of Brevard in Cocoa, Florida
Braveheart Properties is a community of tiny homes and cottages designed for permanent residents who fully embrace the tiny home lifestyle. Braveheart is the first tiny home village in Brevard County and currently has more than 80 home sites of small homes on wheels and tiny cottages on a foundation. Braveheart homes are high-quality and aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful landscapes in a peaceful environment.
The community features a private lake, dock, gazebo, and garden. It’s also a dog and kid-friendly community with a playground for kids and a dog park. Tiny homeowners can bring their homes on the wheel and rent a lot, or there is the option to buy a tiny home in the community.
About the Florida Tiny Home Scene
Tiny home communities are becoming increasingly popular in Florida, offering a unique living experience for those seeking a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle. These communities typically consist of a cluster of tiny homes, often ranging from 100 to 400 square feet in size, with shared amenities and a focus on community living.
In Florida, you can find several tiny home communities scattered throughout the state, each offering its own charm and appeal. These communities are very popular for those moving from New York to Florida and feature beautifully designed tiny homes, eco-friendly construction, and a range of amenities such as community gardens, recreational facilities, and shared communal spaces.
Living in a tiny home community in Florida offers a sense of belonging and camaraderie, as residents come together to share resources, ideas, and experiences. Many communities also host regular events and activities, fostering a strong sense of community spirit.
Whether you're looking to downsize, simplify your life, or reduce your environmental impact, a tiny home community in Florida could be the perfect choice for you. Explore the unique communities that Florida has to offer and discover the joys of tiny home living.
What Counties in Florida Allow Tiny Houses?
Regulations can vary widely from county to county when it comes to tiny homes. While some counties have embraced the tiny house movement and have specific zoning regulations in place to accommodate tiny homes, others may have stricter regulations or require special permits.
Counties such as Sarasota, Broward, and Miami-Dade have been more receptive to tiny houses, allowing them in certain zoning districts or as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on existing properties. These counties typically have size restrictions, design requirements, and other regulations that must be met to legally place a tiny house on a property.
Before purchasing land or a specific tiny home in Florida, research the specific regulations and zoning requirements in the areas where you plan to live. Consulting with local officials or a real estate professional who is familiar with tiny house regulations can help ensure that you comply with local laws.
Can I Buy Land in Florida and Put a Tiny Home on It?
Buying land in Florida and placing a tiny home on it is possible, but it's important to understand the regulations and requirements that govern tiny houses living in the state. In Florida, zoning regulations, building codes, and permitting requirements vary by county, so it's important to research the specific rules that apply to the area where you plan to buy land.
Some counties in Florida allow tiny homes as permanent residences, while others may only permit them as temporary or accessory dwelling units. Additionally, there may be restrictions on the size, design, and placement of tiny homes, so it's important to check with local authorities before purchasing land.
Before buying land for a tiny home in Florida, it's also important to consider access to utilities such as water, sewer, and electricity. Some remote or rural areas may not have access to these utilities, which could impact your ability to live in a tiny home on the property.
Overall, buying land in Florida for a tiny home can be a great option for those looking to downsize and live simply, but it's important to do your research and ensure that you comply with local regulations.
Can Tiny Homes Withstand Hurricanes?
Tiny homes can be designed to withstand hurricanes with proper construction techniques, including reinforced foundations, impact-resistant windows, and sturdy framing.
FAQs
Where are the best tiny home communities?
The best tiny home communities vary based on preferences, but popular locations include California, Oregon, and Texas for their climate and community offerings.
Where in Florida can I live in a tiny home?
In Florida, you can live in a tiny home in counties like Sarasota, Broward, and Miami-Dade, which have more lenient regulations for tiny houses. Most South Florida cities and counties allow tiny houses in varying degrees.
What state has the best tiny home communities?
Florida, Oregon, California, and Texas are often considered states with some of the best tiny home communities due to their updated zoning laws and supportive legislation.
Do I need a permit to build a tiny house on my property in Florida?
Yes, you typically need a permit to build a tiny house on your property in Florida. Regulations vary by county, so it's important to check with local authorities.
Can I live in a shed on my own land in Florida?
In Florida, living in a shed on your own land may not be permitted, as sheds are not typically designed for full-time habitation. Check local regulations for specific requirements.
How much does a tiny house cost in Florida?
The cost of a tiny house in Florida can vary widely based on size, materials, and location, but generally ranges from $30,000 to $100,000 or more.
Is it cheaper to live in a tiny home or an apartment?
The cost of living in a tiny home versus an apartment depends on various factors such as location, size, and amenities. In some cases, tiny homes can be more affordable due to lower utility costs and maintenance expenses.
Do tiny homes have resale value?
Tiny homes can have resale value, but it may be lower than traditional homes due to their niche market. Factors such as location, size, and overall condition will influence resale value.
