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Jim Tucker

Beach Fanatic

Probably a 3 bedroom mobile home in Freeport shared between 3 or more people. Might not be too bad depeding on the roommates, condition of the home and the neigborhood. Could be quite nice on the right piece of property.

MrSunshine

Beach Lover

A nice place in the Chat Holly/393 area (3br/2bath) would run about $2000 - $2400/month.  I'm sure there are less expensive places but the quality most likely would be questionable.

A nice place in the Chat Holly/393 area (3br/2bath) would run about $2000 - $2400/month.  I&#039;m sure there are less expensive places but the quality most likely would be questionable.

James Bentwood

[QUOTE="MrSunshine, post: 951131, member: 36345"]
A nice place in the Chat Holly/393 area (3br/2bath) would run about $2000 - $2400/month.  I'm sure there are less expensive places but the quality most likely would be questionable.
[/QUOTE]
Good info thanks. 

Anyone know what are Walton County rules are about accessory dwelling units (ADU) aka mother in law cottage or tiny homes. Seems much needed for our area. Maybe a rule about no short term rentals?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="MrSunshine">A nice place in the Chat Holly/393 area (3br/2bath) would run about $2000 - $2400/month. I&#039;m sure there are less expensive places but the quality most likely would be questionable.</blockquote>Good info thanks. 
 
Anyone know what are Walton County rules are about accessory dwelling units (ADU) aka mother in law cottage or tiny homes. Seems much needed for our area. Maybe a rule about no short term rentals?

Professor

[QUOTE="James Bentwood, post: 951137, member: 16260"]
Good info thanks.

Anyone know what are Walton County rules are about accessory dwelling units (ADU) aka mother in law cottage or tiny homes. Seems much needed for our area. Maybe a rule about no short term rentals?
[/QUOTE]

Subject Matter Expert ruling needed..but isn’t minimum square footage allowed around 600 square feet? 

Tiny homes and similar  ARE the answer especially for the service and retail industry workers, but this county is definitely hostile towards this. 

The BCC, for the most part, and all it’s subdivisions (planning, etc) are owned by the builders, developers, engineers, architects and they don’t want tiny homes, NICE mobile home villages (like Destin East across from Camp Gulf), anything that’s not built by illegal Spanish speaking men who are directed by grizzled old guys in white pickups.  

In addition, the RAv4 retiree army will howl that their “‘home values will go down” if there is any of the above near them.  Values will not. 

As for STRs, it is wide open, full blast in those.  The fact that many otherwise long term rentals are instead placed in the STR pool  contributes to the huge problem of not enough sincerely affordable housing in SoWal.  As for a rule, county wide, against STR’s it won’t happen because the county would be sued by way more homeowners than are currently suing them regarding private land/“customary use”.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="James Bentwood">Good info thanks. 
 
Anyone know what are Walton County rules are about accessory dwelling units (ADU) aka mother in law cottage or tiny homes. Seems much needed for our area. Maybe a rule about no short term rentals?</blockquote> 
Subject Matter Expert ruling needed..but isn’t minimum square footage allowed around 600 square feet? 
 
Tiny homes and similar ARE the answer especially for the service and retail industry workers, but this county is definitely hostile towards this. 
 
The BCC, for the most part, and all it’s subdivisions (planning, etc) are owned by the builders, developers, engineers, architects and they don’t want tiny homes, NICE mobile home villages (like Destin East across from Camp Gulf), anything that’s not built by illegal Spanish speaking men who are directed by grizzled old guys in white pickups. 
 
In addition, the RAv4 retiree army will howl that their “‘home values will go down” if there is any of the above near them. Values will not. 
 
As for STRs, it is wide open, full blast in those. The fact that many otherwise long term rentals are instead placed in the STR pool contributes to the huge problem of not enough sincerely affordable housing in SoWal. As for a rule, county wide, against STR’s it won’t happen because the county would be sued by way more homeowners than are currently suing them regarding private land/“customary use”.

bob bob

[QUOTE="Professor, post: 951149, member: 39564"]
Subject Matter Expert ruling needed..but isn’t minimum square footage allowed around 600 square feet?

Tiny homes and similar  ARE the answer especially for the service and retail industry workers, but this county is definitely hostile towards this.

The BCC, for the most part, and all it’s subdivisions (planning, etc) are owned by the builders, developers, engineers, architects and they don’t want tiny homes, NICE mobile home villages (like Destin East across from Camp Gulf), anything that’s not built by illegal Spanish speaking men who are directed by grizzled old guys in white pickups. 

In addition, the RAv4 retiree army will howl that their “‘home values will go down” if there is any of the above near them.  Values will not.

As for STRs, it is wide open, full blast in those.  The fact that many otherwise long term rentals are instead placed in the STR pool  contributes to the huge problem of not enough sincerely affordable housing in SoWal.  As for a rule, county wide, against STR’s it won’t happen because the county would be sued by way more homeowners than are currently suing them regarding private land/“customary use”.
[/QUOTE]
It'll be interesting to see if a lot of point Washington becomes vacation rentals.

RAV4 retiree army :lol:

We should push ADUs because apparently we won't get affordable housing any other way.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Professor">Subject Matter Expert ruling needed..but isn’t minimum square footage allowed around 600 square feet? 
 
Tiny homes and similar ARE the answer especially for the service and retail industry workers, but this county is definitely hostile towards this. 
 
The BCC, for the most part, and all it’s subdivisions (planning, etc) are owned by the builders, developers, engineers, architects and they don’t want tiny homes, NICE mobile home villages (like Destin East across from Camp Gulf), anything that’s not built by illegal Spanish speaking men who are directed by grizzled old guys in white pickups. 
 
In addition, the RAv4 retiree army will howl that their “‘home values will go down” if there is any of the above near them. Values will not. 
 
As for STRs, it is wide open, full blast in those. The fact that many otherwise long term rentals are instead placed in the STR pool contributes to the huge problem of not enough sincerely affordable housing in SoWal. As for a rule, county wide, against STR’s it won’t happen because the county would be sued by way more homeowners than are currently suing them regarding private land/“customary use”.</blockquote>It&#039;ll be interesting to see if a lot of point Washington becomes vacation rentals. 
 
RAV4 retiree army :lol: 
 
We should push ADUs because apparently we won&#039;t get affordable housing any other way.

Dawn

Are there any small home modular kit recommendations for 600-1200 sf? I like the idea of saving money and quicker setup but maybe hiring a local builder is a better idea?

Amp22

Just curious about rental costs - I know there are some mobile homes and cheap houses in old Santa Rosa area off 393 north - chat holley but I don't know what it costs to rent a cheap house or townhome. Something that is safe and not bug infested - $1500 for a 3BR, $2,000?

And is it really any cheaper and/or safer to go to Freeport or PCB west?

Just curious about rental costs - I know there are some mobile homes and cheap houses in old Santa Rosa area off 393 north - chat holley but I don&#039;t know what it costs to rent a cheap house or townhome. Something that is safe and not bug infested - $1500 for a 3BR, $2,000? 
 
And is it really any cheaper and/or safer to go to Freeport or PCB west?

What's the cheapest way to live in SoWal?

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2026 SoWal Sea Turtle Nesting Season Wrapup

After Hurricane Isaias: Photos of South Walton Beaches

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026