Barrington land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies

Municipality of the District of Barrington. Population 6,523 (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.

Not addressed · Barrington’s term: “group dwelling”

The by-law has no backyard suite or accessory dwelling unit provision. It defines a group dwelling as two or more dwellings on a lot under one ownership, and the RG, RR, MU and RD zones permit all residential uses (RD lists group dwellings by name).

Where allowed: 'All residential uses' permitted in RG, RR, MU and RD zones; group dwellings listed in RD [1]
Minimum lot size: Group dwellings on municipal sewer: 10,000 sq ft for the first 4 units plus 1,000 sq ft per additional unit [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 · Barrington’s term: “single detached dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width. A mobile home or mini home is defined as a single detached dwelling built to CSA Z240, and all residential uses are permitted in the RG, RR, MU and RD zones.

Mini homes: Defined as a vehicular portable single detached dwelling built to CSA Z240 [1]
Minimum lot size: On-site septic: 29,063 sq ft (40,000 sq ft within 197 ft of a lake, river, stream or ocean), 121 ft frontage; municipal sewer: 10,000 sq ft, 75 ft frontage [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.

Allowed with limits · Barrington’s term: “personal recreational vehicle use”

No motor home, travel trailer or similar vehicle may be used for human habitation except for seasonal occupancy at a campground or as a personal recreational vehicle use. That use allows up to five RVs on a lot for up to 180 days a year, or 250 days with provincial septic approval. Mobile and mini homes are single detached dwellings, and mobile home parks are a residential use.

Where allowed: Personal recreational vehicle use permitted in RG, MU, RR and RD zones [1]
Number allowed: Maximum 5 recreational vehicles per lot, at least 40 ft apart [1]
Minimum lot size: 1 acre, 100 ft frontage for personal recreational vehicle use [1]
Servicing: Occupancy limited to 180 days per calendar year; may extend up to 250 days with Nova Scotia Department of Environment on-site septic approval [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 allowed · Barrington’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 single detached dwelling is defined to include a cabin or cottage.

Setbacks: Accessory buildings meet main-building setbacks; side and rear may be reduced to 2 ft with no windows facing the lot line [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

Whether a second detached dwelling on a lot is approved as a group dwelling under 'all residential uses' (and what standards apply on on-site septic, where Part 18.1 lists none for group dwellings) is not stated; a person should confirm with the Development Officer. No amendments after April 2023 found.

Sources

Not legal advice

Confirm with your municipality before you buy, build or move in.

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