Kentville land-use by-law for garden suites, tiny homes and bunkies

Town of Kentville, in Kings County. Population 6,630 (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 · Kentville’s term: “ancillary dwelling unit (garden suite or garage suite)”

An ancillary dwelling unit may be built in an accessory building, as a garden suite or a garage suite, with a development permit in the R1, R2, R3 and R5 residential zones. It must have its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance and meet the accessory building rules.

Maximum size: Garden or garage suite: 80% of the gross floor area of the main dwelling, not to exceed 1,000 sq ft (garage suite size includes the garage) [1]
Maximum height: Garden suite 15 ft; garage suite 21 ft [1]
Setbacks: Accessory buildings at least 4 ft (1.22 m) from side and rear lot lines and not in the required front or flankage yard [1]
Separation from house: Accessory buildings at least 6 ft (1.82 m) from the main building [1]
Parking: At least one off-street parking space in addition to the parking for the main dwelling [1]
Where allowed: Permitted with conditions (s. 5.1.1) in the R1, R2, R3 and R5 zones; not listed in the R4 zone [1]
Kitchen: Must contain independent kitchen and bathroom facilities [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 · Kentville’s term: “single unit detached dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum floor area or width for a single unit detached dwelling. In the R1 zone a single unit detached dwelling does not include a mobile home.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated for single unit detached dwellings [1]
Mini homes: R1 zone: single unit detached dwelling 'shall not include a mobile home'. Mini-home parks and land lease communities only by development agreement in the R5 zone [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 · Kentville’s term: “recreational vehicle or camper”

A dwelling does not include a recreation vehicle or travel trailer, but a recreational vehicle or camper may be lived in without a permit for up to 60 days in a 12-month period if it is not connected to town services and is outside the required front, side and flankage yards. Manufactured home parks and land lease communities may be considered only by development agreement in the R5 zone.

Where allowed: Manufactured Home Parks/Land Lease Communities by development agreement in the Large Lot Residential (R5) zone [1]
Approvals: No development permit for RV use of up to 60 days in 12 months, not connected to town services (s. 4.1.15) [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 · Kentville’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings shall not be used for human habitation except as an ancillary dwelling unit under section 5.1.1.

Number allowed: No more than 2 accessory buildings on a lot in a residential zone [1]
Maximum size: 15% of lot area, up to 1,000 sq ft gross floor area in residential zones [1]
Maximum height: 21 ft (6.40 m) [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

Consolidation month is the last amendment in the document's amendment table (September 8, 2026). Kentville Forward, a comprehensive review of the MPS, LUB and Subdivision By-law, is under way (https://kentville.ca/town-hall/planning-and-development/kentville-forward-plan-review). The by-law uses 'mobile home' in the R1 zone but defines only 'mini home' (CSA Z240).

Sources

Not legal advice

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

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