Antigonish land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the County of Antigonish. Population 15,101 (2021 census).
Backyard suite
A separate home in the yard of a house: garden suite, laneway suite or coach house, including prefab, modular or container units used this way.
Allowed · Antigonish’s term: “dwelling (up to 4 dwelling units per lot)”
The by-law has no separate backyard suite rule, but it permits up to four dwelling units per lot in the Residential Centre, Hamlet Residential, Rural General and Lakeshore zones and allows any number of main buildings on a lot. A detached second dwelling meeting the zone standards needs only a development permit.
- Number allowed
- Up to 4 dwelling units per lot in the R, HR, RG and RL zones; 5 to 6 by site plan approval in the R zone (s.12.1, 12.3, 14.1, 16.1, 20.1) [1]
- Where allowed
- Any number of main buildings may locate on the same lot, subject to zone requirements (s.6.20) [1]
- Minimum lot size
- R zone 350 m² serviced or 2,700 m² unserviced; HR and RG 2,700 m²; RL 4,700 m² (s.12.5, 14.5, 16.4, 20.4) [1]
Nova Scotia-wide rule
Outside Halifax, no Nova Scotia regulation requires municipalities to allow backyard suites or a set number of units per lot. Each municipality decides this in its land-use by-law. Province-wide, the Building Code applies to the suite, and a new on-site sewage system needs provincial notification or approval. [2][3][4][5][6][7]
Tiny home on a foundation
A small house as the main home on its own lot. The key rule is any minimum dwelling size.
Allowed · Antigonish’s term: “dwelling”
The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width in the residential, hamlet, rural or lakeshore zones. It does not mention mini homes or manufactured homes.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated [1]
- Mini homes
- Not mentioned; no zone restriction on mini or manufactured homes [1]
Nova Scotia-wide rule
Nova Scotia sets no provincial minimum house size. Since April 1, 2025, the Building Code Regulations define a "tiny house" as a dwelling unit of 37 m² or less in building area and give it its own rules on ceiling heights and lofts. Certified factory-built homes are deemed to meet the Code. Municipal planning documents must provide for manufactured housing. [2][5][3][8]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Not allowed · Antigonish’s term: “habitation of vehicles”
Trucks, trailers, buses, coach bodies or similar structures shall not be used for human habitation, and the definition of dwelling excludes travel trailers. RVs and trailers are only provided for as temporary camping units in campgrounds, and there is no mobile home park zone.
- Where allowed
- Campgrounds (two or more camping units for temporary recreational occupancy) only where a zone permits them, by site plan approval (s.29.2, Part 9 definitions) [1]
- Approvals
- s.6.17.1: trucks, trailers, buses or coach bodies, or similar structures shall not be used for human habitation [1]
Nova Scotia-wide rule
The province's Building Code guidance says tiny homes on a permanent trailer chassis with wheels are outside the scope of the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. Whether you may live in one full-time is decided by the municipal land-use by-law. CSA Z240 manufactured (mini) homes are covered by the Building Code, and municipal plans must provide for manufactured housing. [8][5][3][4]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not addressed · Antigonish’s term: “accessory building”
The by-law does not address sleeping cabins or habitation of accessory buildings. Accessory buildings follow the zone setbacks and height limit and may not be in the front or flanking yard.
- Maximum height
- 8 m (26.25 ft) for accessory buildings in the HR, RG and RL zones (s.14.5, 16.4, 20.4) [1]
- Setbacks
- RL zone: 5 m side, 4 m rear; RG: 5 m side, 4 m rear; not in the front or flanking yard (s.6.2.2, 16.4, 20.4) [1]
- Approvals
- No development permit needed for an accessory building with a footprint of 19.97 m² (215 sq ft) or less, if all other requirements are met (s.4.2.1(l)) [1]
Nova Scotia-wide rule
Unless a municipal by-law says otherwise, Nova Scotia does not require a building permit for an accessory building of 20 m² or less, but the Building Code still applies to it. Adding a washroom brings in the on-site sewage rules, unless the building connects to a municipal sewer. [5][6][9]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Land Use By-law (Plan Antigonish)
- Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Statement of Provincial Interest Regarding Housing (Government of Nova Scotia)
- HRM Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Building Code Regulations (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Activities Designation Regulations (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Government of Nova Scotia news release
- Building Code Regulations, users’ version with notes (Government of Nova Scotia)
- On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations (Government of Nova Scotia)
Not legal advice
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