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Want to Buy Land in California to Start Homesteading? It’s Not That Simple.

Like many people, I’ve dreamed of owning a piece of land, setting up a tiny home, and living simply with my family. 🏡 But as I quickly learned, California doesn’t make that dream easy.


If you’re thinking about buying land to homestead or live off-grid in California, here’s the truth about what you’re up against — and what you need to know before you spend your savings.



The Dream vs. The Reality

The idea sounds perfect: buy some raw land in the mountains, park your RV or tiny home, grow your own food, and live a slower lifestyle.


But once you start looking into permits, zoning laws, and utilities, the reality hits: it’s complicated, and often expensive.


Zoning & Building Codes

Every county in California has its own set of rules. Some allow RVs or mobile homes for limited periods of time, while others prohibit them entirely.


Tiny homes are especially tricky:

  • On wheels? Many counties won’t allow you to live in them full-time.

  • On a foundation? You’ll need to meet strict building codes and pay hefty permit fees.


Utilities and Infrastructure

Even if you’re planning to live off-grid, you’ll likely need some form of approved water and waste system to get a certificate of occupancy.


That means:

  • Wells: $10,000–$30,000+ depending on depth

  • Septic systems: $15,000–$25,000 installed

  • Electricity: Connecting to the grid can run from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on how far the nearest lines are.


Land Use Restrictions

Some parcels come with Property Owners Associations (POAs) or HOAs that restrict what you can build or even how you use your land. Others have CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) that ban things like livestock, alternative structures, or even gardening in some cases.


What This Means for Homesteaders

If your goal is to live simply in California, you’ll need to do more than just find affordable land.


You’ll need to:

  1. Research county zoning laws before you buy

  2. Budget realistically for utilities and permits

  3. Understand POA/HOA or CC&R rules

  4. Be flexible — sometimes your dream parcel is in the next county over, not the one you first had in mind


Final Thoughts

Homesteading in California is possible — but it’s not as simple as buying a cheap piece of land and moving in. The more prepared you are, the smoother your path will be.


If you’re just starting your journey, learn from my experience: do the homework before you buy, and know that California has more red tape than most states.


Your dream is still possible — it just takes planning, patience, and persistence.


📦 Apex Land helps everyday people become landowners—without the hassle. We specialize in affordable, seller-financed land in California, with no banks, no credit checks, and low monthly payments. Whether you're investing, prepping, or just want a quiet place of your own, we’ve got you covered.

If you’ve got the dream, we’ve got the dirt.

 
 
 

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