Minimum Lot Size to Build a House: You’ll Be Surprised
The zoning regulations require that for a house, the minimum square footage must be 120 square feet and it’s minimum plot size needs to be 320 square feet.
Size Regulations for Houses
Basements are a good choice for living space because it has even the tiniest of windows to make things bearable for living.
Homes with Multiple Rooms

Most homes that have multiple rooms tend to have a size larger than the minimum requirement. The minimum square footage for studio homes are 120 feet. For homes with multiple rooms, you would need each livable room to have a square footage of 120.
Rooms with No Requirement
However, you should note that although there isn’t a minimum requirement for floor space, there is a requirement for room height.
Regulations for Land Size
Every good house is dependent on the land it’s built on. Even though the minimum square footage is 120, the lot requirement will need to be much bigger. You’ll need a much larger space besides the house that you’re going to build.
In most homes the yard is the extension of a house. The yard and outdoor area becomes an excellent spot for entertaining guests and family dinners.
So with that being said, what is the minimum requirement for plot size if you’re planning to build a home? The minimum plot size is regulated to be at least 320 square feet. Since the house needs to have a square footage of 120, this means you have 200 square feet left to build your outdoor space.
Houses that want to extend the outdoor space need to have a minimum of at least 900 square feet. The reason is because the house needs enough clearance on all four sides surrounding it.
What about the Land Size for Tiny Houses

Typically this regulation is allowed for low-income homes and government housing.
Which Cities Do Not Have a Home Size Requirement?
There are a few loopholes that give you the ability to live in tiny homes.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Spur, TX
- Knoxville, TN
- Newfield, NY
- Union Mills, NC
- Sarasota, FL
You do have more flexibility in regards to size, there are a few things you need to know.
It doesn’t conclude that you aren’t able to have a house smaller than the normal 120 square feet requirement. You would just need to gain the approval from the specified community based program before the planning phase begins.
Other Things to Consider
Livable rooms need to be at least 70 square feet for floor spacing. For houses with one bedroom, that size takes up half the total space.
Final Thoughts
Why should you know the minimum requirements for a home and land? By having this information you can decide what house you want and do a better job structuring and planning. From there you can work with subcontractors to begin building out your home.
This will help reduce stress and the environment as well. This causes less waste and a more eco-friendly living environment. Not to mention the money you save because you don’t have to fund a large house anymore. As the popularity of downsizing grows, living in a big popular lavished home will no longer be a thing. Right now the minimum size is 120 square feet, however that could change next year!