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

Region of Queens Municipality. Population 10,422 (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 · Queens’s term: “accessory dwelling”

One accessory dwelling per lot is permitted, inside the house or in a separate building, in the urban serviced residential zones and all rural zones. A detached unit follows accessory building height limits and main building zone requirements.

Where allowed: Permitted (P) in RL, RG, RM, RC, R5, R6, SL, SR, Re and CR zones [1]
Number allowed: One accessory dwelling per lot (s.7.1.1(a)) [1]
Maximum size: 80 m² gross floor area or 50% of the single-unit dwelling's gross floor area, whichever is larger (s.7.1.1(c)) [1]
Maximum height: Accessory building height for the zone; 6 m in the rural zones [1]
Setbacks: Rear or side yard only in Urban Serviced Areas; lot coverage up to 60% in Urban Serviced Areas and 40% elsewhere [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 · Queens’s term: “single-unit dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area or width for single-unit dwellings. Mobile homes, defined to include homes delivered on a flatbed or trailer, are not permitted in the Lower Density Residential zone and must be on a permanent concrete foundation in the other urban serviced residential zones.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated for single-unit dwellings [1]
Mini homes: Mobile Home permitted in RG, RM, RC and all rural zones, not RL; in urban serviced residential zones it must be on a permanent concrete foundation with the long side facing the front lot line (s.10.1.1(e)); rural zones require skirting [1]
Minimum lot size: 3,700 m² and 30 m frontage in the R5, R6, SL and SR zones [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 · Queens’s term: “recreational vehicle parking site”

A recreational vehicle used for accommodation for more than 14 days a year must be in a campground or on a recreational vehicle parking site, which is permitted in the rural and hamlet zones. A lot may have up to two sites, less one for each dwelling unit on the lot.

Number allowed: Maximum two RV parking sites per lot, reduced by one for each dwelling unit or accessory dwelling; one RV per site (s.7.13.3) [1]
Minimum lot size: Same as the minimum lot size for a single-unit dwelling in the zone [1]
Servicing: Pit privy or approved on-site sewage disposal system [1]
Where allowed: RV Parking Site permitted (P) in R5, R6, SL, SR, Re and CR zones [1]
Approvals: RVs used for accommodation for more than 14 days a year must be in a campground or on an RV parking site (s.7.13.2) [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 · Queens’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use. A sleeping building would need to qualify as the lot's one accessory dwelling.

Maximum height: 6 m for accessory buildings in the R5, R6, SL and SR zones [1]
Setbacks: Accessory buildings in R5, R6, SL and SR: rear 2.4 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

Council has started an interim review of the MPS and LUB (PAC agenda 2026-01-05: https://www.regionofqueens.com/~documents/route:/download/4292/). Mobile homes are also subject to the separate Region of Queens Mobile Home Bylaw, not reviewed.

Sources

Not legal advice

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

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