The 2020 Residential Code of New York State (2020 RCNYS) includes the possibility to design tiny houses used as single dwelling units. The code defines a tiny house as a dwelling with a floor area of 400 square feet (37 m²) or less, excluding lofts.

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Tiny Houses can make owning a house possible, thanks to the RCNYC code that allows special criteria to residential units, which saves a lot of area, and hence cost. 
It is a suitable solution if you are:

- Eager to buy your first home, but unable to afford a down payment. 

- A single person seeking a small, secure and low-maintenance living space.
- Older couple passing their family home to their children, while remaining on the property in separate accommodations.

- An empty-nester individual or couple whose children moved out, and don't need the large space anymore.

- A member of an organization aiming to provide affordable housing to homeless individuals.

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A common misconception is that a building permit is unnecessary for structures under 144 square feet. This misunderstanding likely stems from an exemption for one-story detached accessory structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings, such as tool sheds, storage sheds, or playhouses. However, this exemption does not apply to dwellings, including tiny houses.