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

West Hants Regional Municipality. Population 19,509 (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 · West Hants’s term: “detached secondary suite”

A secondary suite, including one in an accessory building, is permitted within or accessory to single and two-unit dwellings in all zones. It follows the accessory building rules and must be on the same lot as the main dwelling.

Maximum size: 80% of the dwelling unit's total floor area where that is less than 80 m² (862 sq ft), otherwise 80 m² (862 sq ft), or greater as established in the National Building Code [1]
Maximum height: 20 ft (6.10 m) for accessory buildings, or a greater height where a zone permits [1]
Setbacks: 4 ft (1.22 m) from side and rear lot lines [1]
Separation from house: 6 ft (1.83 m) from the main building [1]
Parking: 1 space per secondary suite [1]
Number allowed: 1 secondary suite per dwelling unit [1]
Where allowed: All zones, accessory to single and two-unit dwellings [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 · West Hants’s term: “single unit dwelling”

The by-law sets no minimum floor area or width for single unit dwellings. Manufactured homes, which include mini homes and mobile homes up to 6 m wide, are permitted only in certain zones.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated [1]
Mini homes: Manufactured homes (mini and mobile homes up to 6 m / 20 ft wide) are permitted in the R-4, AR-2, AR-3, GR, MR and MHP zones, and in R-1 only in the Three Mile Plains Growth Centre and Brooklyn; wheels and hitches must be hidden and the home skirted within 30 days [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 · West Hants’s term: “recreational vehicle / manufactured home”

The definition of dwelling excludes recreational vehicles and travel trailers, and no structure other than a dwelling unit may be used for human habitation for more than 60 days, whether or not it is on wheels. Mobile and mini homes are permitted as manufactured homes in certain zones, with wheels and hitches hidden and skirting added.

Where allowed: Manufactured homes: R-4, AR-2, AR-3, GR, MR and MHP zones, and R-1 in Three Mile Plains and Brooklyn [1]
Approvals: Habitation of any structure other than a dwelling unit is limited to 60 days (s. 5.46) [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 addressed · West Hants’s term: “accessory building”

The by-law does not address sleeping cabins; accessory buildings may not be used as a dwelling unit unless a dwelling is a permitted accessory use, and no structure other than a dwelling unit may be used for human habitation for more than 60 days.

Maximum height: 20 ft (6.10 m) for accessory buildings unless a zone permits more [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

The document URL keeps an old slug (February 14, 2023), but the cover reads 'Amended to: July 24, 2026'. The Windsor LUB (amended to July 24, 2026) and Hantsport LUB (amended to May 13, 2025) also permit detached secondary suites. A new region-wide MPS/LUB is at final-draft stage and not in force.

Sources

Not legal advice

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

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