Augusta county, Virginia, has a minimum size limit for residential homes at 900 square feet. This is part of zoning. The only way to get a smaller home would be to have your land in an area zoned agriculture. Tim Fitzgerald, the director of community development, pointed out Monday night that 90 percent of the county is agriculture zoned.

Now, once you meet that criterion, you’d have to apply for an administrative permit or a special-use permit to allow for a smaller dwelling. Each has to be presented to the Board of Supervisors and other county departments.

Staunton County has it a bit easier. The minimum dwelling size is 200 square feet under the building code. The zoning laws just have specifics on how far back the house should be, the space between the end of the property line and the home, etc.

For more information – http://www.newsleader.com/story/newsbeat/2015/04/28/the-dos-and-donts-of-tiny-houses/26507565/