Guysborough land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the District of Guysborough. Population 4,585 (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 · Guysborough’s term: “detached accessory single dwelling unit”
A detached accessory dwelling is permitted with a single detached dwelling in the R-1 and R-2 zones (s. 9.4). In the MRR-1, CC-1 and R-3 zones a second detached unit is possible only as a tiny home dwelling of up to 37 m² (s. 8.6).
- Maximum size
- 800 sq ft (74 m²) (s. 9.4.1(a)) [1]
- Maximum height
- 25 ft (7.6 m) (s. 9.4.1(d)) [1]
- Parking
- At least one off-street space in addition to the main dwelling's (s. 9.4.1(e)) [1]
- Separation from house
- At least twice the side yard setback from the main dwelling; the R-1 minimum side yard is 10 ft (3 m) (ss. 9.4.1(j), 9.2.1) [1]
- Number allowed
- One per property, only with a single detached dwelling (s. 9.4.1(f),(g)) [1]
- Kitchen
- Must have its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance (s. 9.4.1(b),(c)) [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 · Guysborough’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width. Mobile homes are permitted in the R-1, R-2, R-3, MRR-1 and CC-1 zones.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated [1]
- Mini homes
- 'Dwellings, Mobile Home' permitted in the R-1, R-2, R-3, MRR-1 and CC-1 zones (ss. 9.1.1, 10.1.1, 11.1.1, 12.1.1, 13.1.1) [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 · Guysborough’s term: “tiny home dwelling”
A tiny home dwelling, defined as up to 3 m wide and not on a permanent foundation, is permitted in the R-1, R-3, MRR-1 and CC-1 zones (s. 8.6) and is also listed in the R-2 zone use list. Recreational vehicles are not dwellings and may only be stored on residential lots (s. 8.7). Year-round occupancy of campground sites is not permitted (s. 6.7).
- Maximum size
- 400 sq ft (37 m²) and 9.8 ft (3 m) wide (s. 8.6.1(d)) [1]
- Maximum height
- 25 ft (7.6 m) (s. 8.6.1(f)) [1]
- Number allowed
- One tiny home dwelling per property, as a main use or an accessory dwelling unit (s. 8.6.1(b)) [1]
- Where allowed
- R-1, R-3, MRR-1 and CC-1 zones (s. 8.6.1(a)); the R-2 zone use list (s. 10.1.1(n)) also includes tiny home dwellings [1]
- Approvals
- Development permit; must be CSA approved for four seasons or certified by a Professional Engineer for year-round habitation (definition) [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 · Guysborough’s term: “accessory building”
Accessory buildings and structures shall not be used for human habitation (s. 6.1.1(a)). [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
Sources
- MODG Land Use Bylaw (2022)
- 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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