Chester land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the District of Chester. Population 10,693 (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 · Chester’s term: “dwelling units on a lot”
The by-law counts dwelling units per lot rather than naming backyard suites. Up to 4 units on a lot need no development permit in the General Basic zone, and 1 to 2 units on a lot are permitted by development permit in the Settlement Residential One and Two zones; the Single Unit Residential zone allows only one detached dwelling per lot.
- Where allowed
- GB zone: no development permit required except for listed uses, with 5 to 11 units on a lot by site plan approval; SR-1 and SR-2: 1 to 2 dwelling units on a lot by development permit; SU: detached dwelling up to 1 per lot [1]
- Setbacks
- SR-1: front, side and rear 1.5 m; maximum height 11 m [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 · Chester’s term: “detached dwelling”
The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width. Manufactured homes, which include mini homes, are prohibited in the Single Unit Residential and Settlement Residential One zones.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated [1]
- Mini homes
- Manufactured homes (including mobile homes and mini homes) prohibited in the SU and SR-1 zones (s.6.2.2, s.6.3.2) [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 · Chester’s term: “vehicle habitation”
Vehicles, including recreational vehicles, may be used for human habitation without a development permit unless a zone says otherwise, as in the General Basic zone. The Single Unit Residential zone limits RV living to 60 days a year and Settlement Residential One to 180 days, each with a temporary development permit.
- Where allowed
- General rule: a recreational vehicle or other vehicle may be used for human habitation with no development permit unless limited in the zone standards (s.4.27.1) [1]
- Approvals
- SU: one registered RV, up to 60 days per calendar year with a temporary development permit, not connected to a wastewater system (s.6.2.3); SR-1: same conditions up to 180 days (s.6.3.4); 14 days per year without a permit in both [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 · Chester’s term: “accessory structure”
In the General Basic (GB) zone, which covers the rural area, no development permit is needed for development other than listed uses, and the general provisions, including the ban on human habitation in accessory structures, apply only when a permit is required, so the by-law does not regulate a sleeping cabin there unless the lot is in the Lakefront Overlay. In the Lakefront Overlay and in the settlement zones, accessory structures shall not be used for human habitation.
- Where allowed
- GB zone outside the Lakefront Overlay: no development permit required for developments other than those listed in s.5.2.3 (s.5.2.1), and Section 4 general provisions apply only when a permit is required (s.5.2.2); elsewhere accessory structures shall not be used for human habitation (s.4.1.9(a)) [1]
- Setbacks
- Where a permit is required and yard standards apply, accessory structures at least 1.2 m from any lot line (s.4.1.9(b)) [1]
- Separation from house
- Where a permit is required, accessory structures at least 1.5 m from a main building (s.4.1.9(c)) [1]
- Approvals
- Any development on a lot in the Lakefront Overlay requires a development permit; main buildings not permitted within 20 m of the ordinary high water mark of mapped water bodies (s.4.28.1) [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
- Municipality of the District of Chester website
- Municipality of the District of Chester Municipal Land Use By-law
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Municipality of the District of Chester Municipal Land Use By-law
- 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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