Argyle land-use by-law for garden suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the District of Argyle. Population 7,870 (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 · Argyle’s term: “garden suite (accessory dwelling unit)”
A garden suite is a type of accessory dwelling unit permitted as of right as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or guest home. It is permitted in the Mixed Use, Residential Park, Coastal Community, Village, Floodplain, Rural Development and Wellhead Protection zones, among others. [1]
- Maximum size
- 80% of the gross floor area of the main dwelling, up to 95 m² (s.6.4(iv)); the garden suite area may be varied (s.2.13) [2]
- Maximum height
- Equal to the height of the main dwelling, up to 6.5 m [2]
- Separation from house
- 2 m from non-habitable structures on the same lot; 3 m from all other structures [2]
- Number allowed
- One main dwelling plus one accessory dwelling unit (Village zone standards) [2]
- Where allowed
- Dwelling units as accessory uses permitted in MU, LI, RP, CC, CCI, V, FP, RD, MI and WP zones; not where a heavy industrial use is on the property [2]
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. [3][4][5][6][7][8]
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 · Argyle’s term: “single-unit dwelling”
The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width. Single-unit dwellings and mobile or mini home dwellings are both permitted as of right in the MU, RP, CC, V, FP, RD and WP zones.
- Mini homes
- Mobile home or mini home dwelling (CSA Z240, on its own chassis, year-round) permitted as of right in MU, RP, CC, V, FP, RD and WP zones; mini home communities by development agreement in MU [2]
- Minimum lot size
- Village, Coastal Community and similar zones: 929 m² (10,000 sq ft) on central sewer; 3,717 m² (40,000 sq ft) on on-site septic or as determined by NS Dept. of Environment [2]
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. [3][6][4][9]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Allowed with limits · Argyle’s term: “travel trailer / recreational motor home”
A dwelling excludes travel trailers, recreational vehicles and motor homes, and vehicles may not be used for human habitation except recreational motor homes and travel trailers on a lot for no more than 90 days. Mobile and mini homes built to CSA Z240 are permitted as dwellings in the main residential and rural zones.
- Mini homes
- Permitted as of right in MU, RP, CC, V, FP, RD and WP zones [2]
- Approvals
- Recreational motor homes and travel trailers may be occupied on a lot for not more than 90 days [2]
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. [9][6][4][5]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not allowed · Argyle’s term: “accessory building”
Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling or tourist cabin is a permitted accessory use. A detached sleeping space with a kitchen could instead qualify as a garden suite under the accessory dwelling unit rules.
- Maximum size
- Accessory buildings in a residential zone: ground floor area no more than the lesser of 140 m² or 10% of the lot area [2]
- Setbacks
- Main-building setbacks; side and rear may be reduced to 0.6 m (2 ft) for buildings accessory to residential uses with no windows facing the lot line [2]
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. [6][7][10]
Official links
- Municipality of the District of Argyle website
- Municipality of the District of Argyle Land Use By-law (office consolidation July 31, 2025)
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Municipality of the District of Argyle PDF (munargyle.com)
- Municipality of the District of Argyle Land Use By-law (office consolidation July 31, 2025)
- 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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