Pictou land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the County of Pictou. Population 20,676 (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.
Not addressed · Pictou’s term: “dwellings (units per lot)”
The bylaw has no backyard or garden suite provision; instead it permits dwellings by the number of units on a lot. That is 1 or 2 units in the Agriculture Potential and Shoreline zones, up to 4 in Rural General, and up to 8 in the Residential Community, Rural Mixed Use, Community Core and Rural Commercial zones. [1]
- Number allowed
- Dwellings 1 or 2 units per lot: A1, G1, G2, RC, CC, C3, P2, S1; 3 or 4: G1, G2, RC, CC, C3, P2; 5 to 8: G2, RC, CC, C3, P2 (Table 7B) [2]
- Minimum lot size
- 2,700 m² unserviced in most zones; 350 m² serviced in G1, G2, RC, CC; Shoreline 5,000 m² (Table 8A) [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 · Pictou’s term: “dwelling”
The bylaw sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width. Mini homes, modular homes and manufactured housing are included in the definition of a dwelling. [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated [2]
- Mini homes
- Included in the definition of 'Dwelling' with manufactured housing and modular homes (Part 9, def. 40) [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 · Pictou’s term: “RV park”
An RV park, meaning more than three recreational vehicles used for habitation or accommodation, is permitted in the Parks and Open Space and Commercial Recreation zones. The definition of dwelling excludes travel trailers, and no section was found that expressly bars living in a single RV on a lot.
- Where allowed
- RV Park: P1 and P2 zones (Table 7A) [2]
- Mini homes
- Mini homes and manufactured housing count as dwellings (Part 9, def. 40) [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.
Not addressed · Pictou’s term: “accessory building”
The bylaw does not address sleeping cabins or habitation of accessory buildings; bunkies are named only as campground structures. Accessory buildings are limited by combined footprint, zone setbacks and an 8 m height.
- Maximum size
- Combined footprint of all accessory buildings and structures not more than 40% of lot area (s.5.2.2) [2]
- Maximum height
- 8.0 m for accessory buildings in all residential and rural zones (Table 8A) [2]
- Setbacks
- Accessory buildings: A1 and G1 4.0 m rear and side; S1 (Shoreline) 15.24 m rear, 3.0 m side (Table 8A) [2]
- Approvals
- No development permit needed for an accessory building with a footprint under 20.0 m² (215 sq ft) if all other requirements are met (s.4.2.1(l)) [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
Sources
- Municipality of the County of Pictou PDF (munpict.ca)
- Municipality of the County of Pictou Land Use Bylaw
- 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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