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

Town of Bridgewater, in Lunenburg County. Population 8,790 (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 with limits · Bridgewater’s term: “residential conversion (accessory building)”

An accessory building may be used for human habitation only under the residential conversion rules, which require the main building to have been built before August 27, 1975 and cap the units per property by zone. The by-law has no other backyard suite provision.

Where allowed: Accessory building habitation must meet the residential conversion requirements of s.3.1.25 (s.3.1.7(c)); conversions require the main building to have been constructed before August 27, 1975 [1]
Number allowed: Through residential conversion: R1 two units, R2 three units, R3 two units, R4 four units, R5 and R6 five units (Table A) [1]
Maximum size: Accessory buildings: gross floor area not over 10% of lot area, to a maximum of 116 m² (1250 ft²) in residential zones; 45.5 m² (490 ft²) in the R7 zone [1]
Maximum height: 6.5 m (21 ft) for accessory buildings [1]
Setbacks: At least 1.2 m (4 ft) from rear and side lot lines; not in the minimum front or flankage yard [1]
Separation from house: At least 2 m (7 ft) from the main building [1]
Parking: One parking space per dwelling unit for residential conversions [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 · Bridgewater’s term: “single unit dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area, but a dwelling must be on a permanent foundation. The Manufactured Residential Home (R7) zone specifically permits dwellings without a permanent foundation and dwellings with a minimum footprint dimension under 6 m.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated; Dwelling is defined as containing dwelling units located on a permanent foundation [1]
Mini homes: R7 zone permits single and two unit dwellings including those without a permanent foundation and dwellings with a minimum footprint dimension of less than 6 m (20 ft); Mini Home is defined as having a building footprint of 6 m or less for 60% or more of its length [1]
Minimum lot size: R1: 650 m² (6,997 ft²), 20 m 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 · Bridgewater’s term: “recreational vehicle”

Recreational vehicles or campers may be lived in for no more than 60 days in a 12 month period, unconnected to town services, on a property with a main building. Dwellings without a permanent foundation are permitted in the Manufactured Residential Home (R7) zone, including land leased communities.

Where allowed: Dwellings without a permanent foundation permitted in the R7 zone; land leased communities may contain mobile homes and mini homes [1]
Approvals: RV or camper habitation needs no development permit if not connected to town services, not longer than 60 days within 12 months, outside required front, side and flankage yards, and on a property with an established main building (s.3.1.23(b)) [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.

Allowed with limits · Bridgewater’s term: “temporary structure”

An accessory building may be used for human habitation, which includes a sleeping place, only under the residential conversion rules. A temporary structure without footings or a permanent floor may be used for free overnight sleeping on a residential lot for up to 210 consecutive days a year with a development permit.

Maximum size: Temporary buildings in a residential zone: 50 m² (538 ft²) ground floor area [1]
Number allowed: Habitable accommodations may not exceed the number of dwelling units permitted by the zone [1]
Kitchen: Not stated; temporary structures may be used for human habitation only for overnight sleeping accommodation free of charge [1]
Approvals: Temporary structure without footings or permanent floor: development permit, maximum 210 consecutive days within a calendar year (s.3.1.6(f)) [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

The R7 wording implies narrow or unfounded dwellings are intended for that zone, but the LUB does not state a minimum width for other zones; confirm with the Town. On 2026-04-01, 283 properties were rezoned from R1 to R2, where two unit dwellings are permitted. Development abutting the LaHave River or in the LaHave River Development Agreement Area has extra requirements.

Sources

Not legal advice

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