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

Municipality of the County of Kings. Population 47,918 (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 · Kings’s term: “accessory dwelling”

One accessory dwelling, a self-contained unit in an accessory building, is permitted per lot in all Residential zones and the C3, A4, S1 and S2 zones. It follows the zone rules for accessory buildings and may not be a mobile home. [1]

Maximum height: Zone limit for accessory buildings (20 ft in the R1 zone) [2]
Setbacks: Accessory building setbacks (4 ft side and rear in R1), but 10 ft between the lot line and a wall with the entrance where the entrance faces a side or rear yard [2]
Parking: 1 dedicated parking space [2]
Number allowed: 1 accessory dwelling per lot [2]
Where allowed: All Residential zones, C3, A4, S1 and S2 [2]

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. [3][4][5][6][7][8]

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 · Kings’s term: “one unit dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum floor area or width for a one unit dwelling, and mini-homes that meet the National Building Code count as one unit dwellings. Mobile homes that do not meet the Code are permitted only in certain zones.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated [2]
Mini homes: Included in the definition of one unit dwelling [2]

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. [3][6][4][9]

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.

Allowed with limits · Kings’s term: “recreational vehicle”

A recreational vehicle is permitted as a use on a lot in the S1, S2, T1 and T2 shoreland zones if a dwelling or recreational cabin could be permitted there and the RV meets dwelling setbacks. Mobile homes are permitted in some agricultural, resource and rural commercial zones.

Where allowed: Recreational vehicles: S1, S2, T1 and T2 zones; mobile homes: zones including A1, A2, A4, N1 and C4 [2]
Number allowed: Up to two residential uses per shoreland lot, in any combination of one unit dwelling, recreational cabin or recreational vehicle [2]
Setbacks: Setback requirements for a dwelling in the zone [2]

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. [9][6][4][5]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.

Allowed with limits · Kings’s term: “recreational cabin”

Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use. Recreational cabins for overnight accommodation are permitted as a residential use in the A2, N1, S1, S2, T1 and T2 zones.

Where allowed: Recreational cabins: A2, N1, S1, S2, T1 and T2 zones [2]
Number allowed: Up to two residential uses per lot in shoreland zones [2]

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. [6][7][10]

Official links

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

Accessory dwelling, one-dwelling-per-lot and shoreland RV rules were amended April 17 and May 21, 2026 (Files P23-01 and P24-01). The LUB sets no maximum floor area for accessory dwellings. Bunkhouses in the LUB are farm worker sleeping quarters only. Project P25-04 (growth centre housing review) may lead to further amendments.

Sources

Not legal advice

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

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