By Brett O’Keefe, Associated Civic News Bureau, Nevada, Mo.
NEVADA, Mo. — A property dispute is unfolding in this west-central Missouri town after a 42-year-old man built a tiny home on a long-overlooked sliver of land at the edge of a Walmart parking lot, a space he says was never included in the retailer’s original land purchase.
The structure, measuring roughly 12 feet by 20 feet, sits on a narrow 15-by-25-foot parcel tucked into the far corner of the lot near the store building. City officials say the home meets local building and zoning codes, but Walmart argues it disrupts traffic flow and conflicts with the company’s branding.
The resident, Daniel Foster, says he discovered the parcel while reviewing county property records last year and later confirmed that it had been excluded from multiple deeds tied to the site.
“It was just sitting there on paper and in real life,” Foster said. “Nobody claimed it. Nobody used it.”
Foster legally purchased the parcel, according to county records, and began construction earlier this year. The tiny home includes a compact living space, a small fenced front area, and a hand-painted sign advertising his guinea pig breeding business, which he operates on a limited scale.
That sign, Walmart officials say, is part of the problem.
“Our concern is customer safety and the overall experience,” said Walmart spokesperson Andrea Collins in a statement. “The placement of a residence and signage in close proximity to our parking lot creates confusion, potential traffic issues, and visual inconsistency with our store environment.”
Foster disputes that characterization and says he does not use the Walmart parking lot at all.
“I don’t even have a car,” he said. “There’s a public sidewalk right by my place. That’s how I get around.”
He added that he has no ill will toward the retailer and shops there regularly.
“I like the convenience,” Foster said. “I don’t have a problem with Walmart. This isn’t about that.”
City officials said the home passed inspection and complies with setback and occupancy rules. The parcel had been used informally as overflow parking for years, despite never being formally owned by the retailer.
Walmart has not filed a lawsuit but has requested that the city review the situation. Company representatives said they are exploring options.
Foster said the attention has been unexpected. He makes a modest income breeding guinea pigs for pets and small-animal enthusiasts but acknowledged it is not enough to fully support him.
“I might apply for a job at the store,” he said. “Ironically, that’s probably the most stable option right now.”
For now, Foster remains in the tiny home, his guinea pig sign still visible from the edge of the lot.
“I’m not trying to cause trouble,” he said. “I just built a place where the paperwork said I could. That’s it.”
City officials said they are continuing to review the property history but emphasized that no violations have been identified. The situation remains unresolved.
