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

Municipality of the County of Cumberland. Population 19,964 (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 · Cumberland’s term: “accessory dwelling”

An accessory dwelling, a separate dwelling on a lot with a single-unit dwelling, is permitted as of right in the Lower Density Residential, Country Residential, Recreational Residential and other zones that list it. It must meet the zone requirements for main buildings and cannot be combined with a recreational vehicle parking site.

Maximum size: 100 m² gross floor area, and no larger than the single-unit dwelling [1]
Setbacks: Zone requirements for main buildings apply [1]
Number allowed: 1 accessory dwelling per lot [1]
Where allowed: Zones listing Accessory Dwelling, including RLow, RCou, RRec, Rsrc and AG; lot coverage limited to 25% in Rsrc, RCou, AG and RRec [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 · Cumberland’s term: “single-unit dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum floor area or width for a single-unit dwelling and has no separate mini home category.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated [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 · Cumberland’s term: “recreational vehicle parking site”

Recreational vehicles may not be used for human habitation except in RV parks, on a recreational vehicle parking site, or temporarily for up to four consecutive months a year. RV parking sites are permitted as of right in the AG, Rsrc, RCou, RRec and some other zones, but not on a lot with an accessory dwelling.

Where allowed: Recreational vehicle parking sites: AG, Rsrc, RCou, RRec, Parks and Open Space, and Flood Hazard zones [1]
Number allowed: 1 RV parking site per lot, and no accessory dwelling on the same lot [1]
Setbacks: Zone setbacks for single-unit dwellings [1]
Approvals: Temporary habitation elsewhere: up to four consecutive months per calendar year, one registered RV per lot [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 · Cumberland’s term: “bunkie (woods cabin)”

A woods cabin, hunting cabin or bunkie needs no development permit if it is under 20 m², under 4.5 m high, not connected to electrical mains and not plumbed. A larger or serviced cabin is treated as a recreational cabin and follows the accessory dwelling rules.

Maximum size: Under 20 m² gross floor area to be exempt from a permit [1]
Maximum height: Under 4.5 m [1]
Servicing: Not connected to electrical mains and not plumbed [1]
Approvals: No development permit or lot frontage required if the above are met; otherwise a development permit as a recreational cabin [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

Cover reads 'Adopted April 4, 2018, With Amendments To April 17, 2026'. Mobile homes (portable dwellings not meeting the National Building Code) are listed only as existing mobile home parks. A focused MPS/LUB review is in engagement.

Sources

Not legal advice

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

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