About Acony Bell Tiny Home Community
If you’re searching for a legal, established tiny home community in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Acony Bell is one of the most compelling options in the region. Nestled on over 56 acres in Mills River, NC, this tiny home village sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains – offering residents and guests a rare combination of sustainable tiny living, natural beauty, and genuine community connection.
Acony Bell opened in 2018 and promotes tiny home living as a viable, permanent lifestyle rather than a novelty. Founded by civil engineer John Monroe and property management expert Mark Brooks, the community was purpose-built to support tiny homes on wheels and park model tiny homes under a zoning framework that makes full-time residency fully legal. The community is designed for tiny houses on wheels and park models, operating under Mills River’s tiny home park / park model park zoning designation.
The philosophy here centers on intentional tiny living and minimalist lifestyles – smaller private footprints paired with generous shared spaces, communal gardens, and walking paths that encourage neighbors to interact daily. Acony Bell fosters a sense of community through collaborative activities like gardening and caring for chickens, creating an environment where the simple life doesn’t mean an isolated one.
Key Facts About Acony Bell
Understanding the basics helps you decide whether this bell tiny home community is the right fit. Here’s what you need to know:
- Size: Acony Bell Tiny Home Community spans over 56 acres along Boylston Creek, with mountain views and two creeks running through the property
- Location: Located in Mills River, NC – just 22 miles from downtown Asheville and minutes from Asheville Regional Airport
- Homes: The community features 21 tiny homes from 14 local builders in Phase One, with an eclectic mix of designs and styles
- Size Limits: Tiny homes at Acony Bell can be 450 square feet or smaller
- Electrical: 100-amp electrical connections are available for residents – enough capacity for modern appliances and even charging electric vehicles
- Nearby Nature: Acony Bell is near Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest
- Phase Two: Over 50 additional tiny home sites are planned in Phase Two (“Tiger Lily”), with completion set for July
What Makes Acony Bell Unique
Several factors set this acony bell tiny home community apart from other tiny home developments across North Carolina and the Southeast, reflecting broader trends in tiny houses and small-scale living.
It is one of the first legal tiny home communities in the state, operating under zoning that explicitly permits permanent tiny home living. Many aspiring tiny homeowners struggle to find a place where their home is genuinely welcome long-term – Acony Bell solves that problem. The community accepts various tiny home types including Tiny Towables and park model tiny homes, and even allows DIY-built homes provided they carry proper certifications (RVIA, RVIC, ANSI, or NOAH) and pass electrical inspection. Certification requirements exist for tiny homes to ensure compliance with community standards.
The combination of permanent residential sites and tiny home vacation rentals within separated neighborhoods is another distinguishing feature. Guests can book a short stay to experience tiny living firsthand before making a commitment – something few communities offer.
- Legal permanence – full-time residency under established zoning, not a workaround
- Architectural variety – homes from over a dozen builders create a visually diverse neighborhood rather than a cookie-cutter park
- Community-first design – Acony Bell includes communal spaces for social interaction and shared activities, from gardens to fire rings to a historic fieldstone cabin
- Location balance – mountain seclusion with Asheville’s dining, culture, and breweries a short drive away
Living Options at Acony Bell
There are two distinct ways to experience life at this tiny home village, which is especially helpful if you’re deciding whether a tiny house for sale is right for you. The community does not offer long-term rental homes – only full-time residency and short-term vacation rentals.
Vacation Rentals
For anyone curious about tiny living but not ready to commit, vacation rentals provide the perfect introduction and a chance to explore tiny house inspiration and resources. Fully furnished tiny houses in their own dedicated neighborhood let guests experience day-to-day life in a cozy tiny home – cooking in a compact kitchen, sleeping in a loft bedroom, and waking up to mountain views.
Housekeeping services are included, and individual homeowners set their own nightly rates. This is an ideal option for your next vacation if you want to test whether downsizing is right for you and experience turnkey tiny homes for move-in-ready living. Short stays only – these units aren’t available for long-term rental.
Full-Time Residential Lots
Acony Bell offers over 50 sites for lease to residents who want to make tiny home living permanent, making it important to choose tiny house plans that fit your life. Leases are available for tiny-house owners and investors. Residents can manage vacation rentals through Acony Bell if their lot is in the rental neighborhood.
You don’t purchase a home from the community itself. Instead, you bring your own tiny home – built by you or purchased from a builder, including turn key tiny home solutions for affordable living – and place it on a leased lot. Long term sites include full hookups: water, sewer, garbage, recycling, and maintenance of common areas. Lot lease costs generally run between $700 and $750 per month. For reference, the “Chessie” park model (399 sq ft) had a lot lease of $725/month, while the “Shining Rock” unit (296 sq ft) listed at $750/month.
Home prices for existing units on the resale market range from approximately $55,000 for a smaller, recently renovated 296 sq ft home up to around $160,000 for larger park models with full kitchens, loft bedrooms, and premium finishes, comparable to many affordable tiny house designs and builds.
How to Visit or Join the Community
Getting into Acony Bell requires planning – this isn’t a drop-in community. It’s a gated neighborhood, and visitor access is managed.
- Vacation stays: Book through the community’s reservation system on the Acony Bell website to schedule your stay
- Full-time residency inquiries: Phase One is full. Interested residents should sign up for the community newsletter for updates on lot availability as Phase Two development progresses
- Open House events and tours: Periodic tour opportunities allow prospective residents to visit – check their site and Facebook page for announcements
- Approval process: Moving in requires management approval including background checks (credit and eviction history), proof of home certification, insurance with at least $300,000 liability coverage, and confirmation that your home meets size and type requirements
- Home types: Only tiny homes on wheels and park models are permitted – no permanent foundation homes allowed due to RV park zoning
Community Amenities and Features
The amenities at Acony Bell are built around the idea that outdoor and shared spaces extend your living area far beyond the walls of a tiny house.
- Community gardens and edible landscapes – residents grow food together in maintained garden plots
- Walking paths throughout the 56-acre property along creeks and through wooded areas
- A mountain bike loop is planned for the community, adding to the active outdoor lifestyle the location supports
- Fire rings stocked for evening gatherings – a central spot where neighbors connect
- A historic fieldstone cabin (approximately 100 years old) serves as a community center with laundry facilities
- Chicken coop maintained collectively by residents
- Creek access along Boylston Creek and natural drainage features integrated into the landscape design
The property is pet-friendly with specific rules for pet owners – dogs must be leashed within the community, and owners are responsible for cleanup. Community rules also cover topics such as quiet hours (10 PM–7 AM weekdays, 11 PM–8 AM weekends) and exterior lighting restrictions, as Acony Bell operates as a Dark Sky community with downward-facing lights shut off by 10 PM.
Life at Acony Bell: Resident Experiences
Residents consistently highlight the strength of neighbor relationships and the way the community is designed to encourage interaction without sacrificing privacy. Even though homes are compact, residents report that porches, decks, walking paths, and communal gathering spaces dramatically expand their sense of livable space.
The active outdoor lifestyle supports hiking, biking, and fishing activities – and residents take full advantage. The varied architectural designs from 14 different builders mean the neighborhood feels organic rather than uniform, with staggered layouts and landscaping between sites creating visual interest and a sense of spaciousness, similar to many of the great tiny homes redefining small-space living.
The community has been featured on YouTube channels including Tiny House Expedition and Tiny House Giant Journey, where hosts tour the property and speak with residents about their experience, much like showcases of top tiny houses that redefine small-space living. These videos offer prospective residents a candid look at what daily life actually looks like – from morning coffee on a front porch to community potlucks around the fire rings. Searching for Acony Bell on YouTube will surface multiple walkthrough tours and resident interviews.
Location and Nearby Attractions
The Mills River location gives residents the best of both worlds – country quiet with city access a short drive away.
- Asheville is 22 miles north, offering world-class restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and a renowned craft beer culture along the Asheville Ale Trail
- Brevard is just a few miles south, known as the “Land of Waterfalls” and a hub for mountain recreation
- Sierra Nevada Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewery are both within 10 miles – perfect for weekend outings
- Pisgah National Forest offers world-class hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing literally minutes from the community
- DuPont State Recreational Forest provides additional trails, waterfalls, and outdoor exploration
- Asheville Regional Airport is just minutes away for residents who travel frequently
This combination of mountain seclusion and accessibility to amenities, supplies, dining, and recreation is a major reason people choose Acony Bell over more remote tiny home communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of tiny homes are allowed at Acony Bell?
The community accepts Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) and park model tiny homes. Park models must be under 400 square feet and under 40 feet long. Tiny homes at Acony Bell can be up to 450 square feet overall. DIY-built homes are permitted if they hold proper certification (RVIA, RVIC, ANSI, or NOAH), carry replacement-value insurance, and maintain minimum liability coverage of $300,000. Homes on permanent foundations are not allowed.
How much does it cost to live at Acony Bell?
Full-time lot leases run between $700 and $750 per month, which includes water, sewer, garbage, recycling, and common area maintenance. Homes themselves are purchased or built separately – resale prices for existing homes on-site have ranged from approximately $55,000 to $160,000 depending on size, builder, and condition. Vacation rental nightly rates are set by individual homeowners and vary.
What utilities and services are provided?
Each lot has full hookups including water, sewer, and power with 100-amp electrical service – sufficient for modern appliances and EV charging. Garbage and recycling pickup, landscaping, and common area maintenance are included in lot rent. Internet and specific electric consumption costs are handled separately by residents.
Is there a waiting list for full-time lots?
Phase One is at full capacity. Phase two of Acony Bell includes over 50 tiny home sites and is set for completion in July. New lots rarely open up in Phase One. The best approach for interested residents is to sign up for the Acony Bell newsletter to receive updates on availability as development progresses. The approval process includes background checks and home compliance verification, so planning ahead is essential.
Contact Information and Next Steps
Whether you’re interested in booking a tiny home vacation to test the lifestyle or exploring full-time residency in one of North Carolina’s most established tiny home communities, Acony Bell is worth a serious look.
Visit the official Acony Bell website to browse photos of available homes, learn about current availability, and sign up for community updates. For vacation rental bookings, lot inquiries, or tour scheduling, reach out directly through their contact page.
Acony Bell Tiny Home Community · Mills River, NC · aconybellnc.com
