Why a Modular Tiny Home Made Sense for This Bozeman, MT ADU
At Fritz Tiny Homes, we’re best known for our tiny homes on wheels, but many people are surprised to learn that we also design and build modular homes.
Our latest modular project in Bozeman, Montana, is a perfect example of why modular can be the right choice, depending on where and how you want to live. This tiny home was built for the Ericsons, who had a very clear vision from the start.
A Tiny Home Designed for Family, Privacy, and Place
The Ericsons wanted a tiny home to serve as a guest house (accessory dwelling unit / ADU) on their ranch property. A place where their adult children could come home and have privacy. A space to host friends—somewhere people could truly rest for a while.
Just as important, the home needed to feel like it belonged on the land. It had to complement the main house already on the property and sit naturally within the surrounding landscape. As you’ll quickly see, windows were essential in this design—capturing the stunning views, bringing the outdoors in, and making a small space feel expansive.
We were honored to be chosen as their builder and to help bring this vision to life.
The First (and Most Important) Step: Zoning & Bylaws
Before design details, finishes, or floor plans come into play, there is one critical step that determines everything: What do your local zoning and bylaws allow?
In Bozeman, MT, a tiny home on wheels—classified as a certified RV or Park Model RV—does not qualify as an ADU. A modular home does.
That distinction alone can make or break a project, which is why we always encourage clients to start with research and conversations at the county level before falling in love with a Fritz Tiny Home.
Why Modular Works Where Wheels Can’t
Modular homes (also referred to as prefabricated homes) are:
Engineered to meet local building codes
Placed on a permanent, engineered foundation
Inspected during construction in a controlled facility
Many jurisdictions—especially when it comes to ADUs—require a permanent foundation for permitting and a home that meets local building code. In this case, a modular home solves a problem that an on-wheels home simply can’t in Bozeman. But it all comes down to county bylaw (for example, in LA, a tiny house on wheels can qualify as an ADU)
If you’d like a deeper breakdown of the differences between tiny homes on wheels and modular homes, along with practical questions to ask your county, check out the below blog!
Bringing This Modular ADU to Life
To bring this project together, we worked closely with the Ericsons, a structural engineer, and Bozeman’s Modular Program. We prepared the required drawings and documentation for county submission and approval.
Once approvals were in place, we began building the home in our facility in Devon, Alberta, Canada, where it was fully constructed, inspected, and furnished. We can deliver a truly turnkey home, right down to the blinds and mattresses. Our modular homes come complete and move-in ready, with very little site work required after placement.
While the home was being built, the Ericsons—working with a local general contractor—prepared the engineered foundation and brought power, water, and sewer services to the site. Once complete, the home was craned onto a truck and transported to Montana by our experienced logistics team. We handled all cross-border brokerage and paperwork, making the process of purchasing a Canadian-built modular home seamless. Upon arrival, a crane set the home onto its permanent foundation, the 2 pieces of the home were married together, and the home was secured and connected to services.
