Geoship is excited to share some big news. We have officially received our California Factory Built Housing certification!
For Nevada County residents who dream of living in a healthier, more affordable, and fire-resilient home, this milestone brings that dream within reach. With this certification, Geoship’s bioceramic dome homes are now fully permitted under California law as factory-built housing, making it easier and faster to build one here in the foothills and soon beyond.
What This Means for Nevada County
Securing state certification was a major achievement years in the making. We designed our domes to meet California’s highest safety and construction standards and, in the process, helped set a new benchmark for what sustainable and resilient housing can be.
The certification, granted by California Housing and Community Development, officially recognizes Geoship as a state-approved housing manufacturer. This confirms that our materials, engineering systems, and production processes meet rigorous state safety and quality standards.
Nevada County has been incredibly supportive throughout this journey and is eager to help bring these homes to life. City officials and the County’s Building Department have expressed strong enthusiasm for what this means for local housing and innovation. With certification now in place, local building departments can move quickly and confidently, knowing that the Geoship dome already meets every state requirement.
For homeowners, that means simplicity. The only local permits required are for sitework, including foundations, grading, and utilities. Everything inside the dome, like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, is already included under the state Factory Built Housing Permit. Once installation is complete, we hand you the keys to a fully integrated, move-in-ready home designed to serve your family for generations.
This streamlined process eliminates many of the costly local permitting hurdles that can slow down construction. It replaces them with a single, centralized approval at the state level, so each dome can move from our factory to your site on a clear, predictable path. The result is faster, more affordable, and more transparent for everyone involved.
Our homes are ready to build, and our team is here to guide you from the first conversation to move-in day.
Why Geoship?
At Geoship, we believe everyone deserves a home that supports their health, protects them from wildfire, and reconnects them to the land.
Our geodesic bioceramic domes are made from advanced, non-toxic materials that do not off gas harmful chemicals and resist mold, mildew, and pests. The design creates clean indoor air, natural comfort, and lower energy use.
Every dome is built from non-combustible bioceramic composites that stay stable up to 1,382 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no wooden joints, shingles, or roof seams for embers to catch. The entire shell is one continuous bioceramic surface that reflects heat and protects what’s inside.
For families living in Nevada County’s fire-prone landscape, these homes offer a new kind of security and peace of mind. The Geoship shell has passed non-combustibility tests for wildfire zones and withstood more than twice the required snow load during structural testing, flexing only a centimeter under pressure. That combination of strength and fire resistance makes the dome one of the safest and most resilient home designs available today.
Because they are modular, easy to maintain, and built to last for generations, our goal is to lower costs significantly as we scale production and bring regenerative housing within reach for more people.
A Local Tradition of Innovation
Nevada County has always been home to people who carve their own path. From the back-to-the-land movement to today’s builders, makers, and sustainability advocates, this community has a long history of creativity and care for the earth.
Geoship is proud to carry that tradition forward. Our homes reflect the spirit of this place: resilience, imagination, and connection. They are designed for people who want to live in harmony with nature while building a stronger, safer future for their families and their neighbors.
By establishing our factory here, we are also investing in the local economy by creating skilled jobs, supporting green manufacturing, and inspiring the next generation of builders and designers. Together with local partners, we are positioning Nevada County as a leader in sustainable construction and fire-resilient design.
What’s Next?
With state certification complete, Geoship is now building homes for local families. The first customer dome is underway at The Bodhi Hive in Nevada City, leading the way for many more to come across Nevada County. From site preparation to panel assembly and final finishes, each step represents progress toward a new kind of home that is beautiful, durable, and deeply connected to place.
We are also continuing to work with county officials to make the permitting process as clear and efficient as possible. Together, we are creating a pathway that helps homeowners move from vision to home with confidence and support.
This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for Geoship and for our community. It is the start of a future where families across Nevada County can live in homes that are healthy, affordable, and built to stand strong for generations.
We are ready to build. Come join us.
To learn more or start planning your own dome dream, visit www.geoship.is