How many U.S. counties set no minimum dwelling size?

626 U.S. counties set no minimum dwelling size, as of 2026-11-13. Each answer quotes the county's own official page word for word, and a second reviewer has confirmed it. Counties we have not read yet are not listed.

What conditions usually apply?

Read the note under each county: most answers carry conditions such as a permit, a septic connection, a time limit, or a minimum size, and cities inside the county set their own rules. Always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Which states have the most counties that set no minimum dwelling size?

Texas (242), Alabama (49), Oklahoma (46), Kentucky (22), Georgia (21).

Bolthole Index county rulebook · checked 2026-11-13

U.S. Counties With No Minimum Home Size

626 U.S. counties set no minimum size for a home, so a cabin or tiny home is never too small by county rule. Every entry quotes the county's own page word for word, and a second reviewer has confirmed it. State building codes can still set minimum room sizes. We add counties as we read them, so a county missing from this list has not been reviewed yet.

How we know: we read each county’s official pages, quote the rule word for word, and a second reviewer opens the same source to confirm it. The list grows as we read more counties. Rules change, so treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice.

626 counties across 42 states — open a state for its full cited list

Texas242 of 254 Alabama49 of 67 Oklahoma46 of 77 Kentucky22 of 120 Georgia21 of 159 Missouri21 of 115 Ohio19 of 88 Michigan15 of 83 Montana15 of 56 Illinois12 of 102 Tennessee12 of 95 West Virginia12 of 55 North Carolina10 of 100 Pennsylvania10 of 67 Kansas9 of 105 Louisiana9 of 64 New Mexico9 of 33 Alaska8 of 30 Iowa7 of 99 Nebraska7 of 93 California6 of 58 New York6 of 62 Virginia6 of 133 Wyoming6 of 23 Colorado5 of 64 Florida5 of 67 South Dakota5 of 66 Arkansas4 of 75 Mississippi4 of 82 South Carolina4 of 46 Indiana3 of 92 Wisconsin3 of 72 Idaho2 of 44 Maryland2 of 24 Minnesota2 of 87 Washington2 of 39 Maine1 of 16 Nevada1 of 17 New Hampshire1 of 10 New Jersey1 of 21 North Dakota1 of 53 Oregon1 of 36

Top 50 by Index Score

Keep exploring

Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. Start from the best states to live off-grid, the cheapest states for off-grid land, or search your own spot.

General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.