Yarmouth land-use by-law for backyard suites, tiny homes and bunkies
Municipality of the District of Yarmouth. Population 10,067 (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 · Yarmouth’s term: “accessory dwelling”
One accessory dwelling, inside the house or in a separate building, is permitted with a dwelling in every zone that permits dwellings as a main use except the Lakeside Residential Zone. It does not count toward the number of dwellings allowed on the lot, and since 2025 it no longer has to be in the rear or side yard. [1]
- Maximum size
- 90.0 m² gross floor area or 50% of the gross floor area of the main dwelling, whichever is larger (s.7.1.1(c)); where it is in a separate building, lot coverage may not exceed 40% (s.7.1.1(d)(iii)) [1]
- Number allowed
- One accessory dwelling per lot (s.7.1.1(a)) [1]
- Where allowed
- All zones that permit dwellings as a main use, except the Lakeside Residential Zone (s.7.1.1) [1]
- Maximum height
- A detached accessory dwelling follows the zone's height rules for accessory buildings (s.7.1.1(d)(i)) [1]
- Setbacks
- A detached accessory dwelling must meet all other zone requirements for main buildings (s.7.1.1(d)(i)); the rule that it be in the rear or side yard was repealed by amendment CHG-04-25, effective March 7, 2025 (s.7.1.1(d)(ii), struck out in the consolidation) [1]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 · Yarmouth’s term: “dwelling”
The zone standards for the Residential General, Low-density Residential and Rural Development zones set lot, setback and height rules but no minimum dwelling floor area or width. The by-law's definition of dwelling includes buildings built off-site and moved to the lot. [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- None set in the RG, LDR or RD zone standards (Tables 8 and 14) [1]
- Mini homes
- No separate mini home rules; 'dwelling' may be built on-site or built off-site and transported to the site (definitions) [1]
- Where allowed
- Dwellings with 1 unit per lot are permitted in the RG, LDR, MU, HR, HC, RD, RC and WS zones; in the Lakeside Residential Zone they need site plan approval (Table 6) [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 · Yarmouth’s term: “recreational vehicle”
Recreational vehicles and travel trailers are excluded from the definition of dwelling, but s.6.29.1 exempts them from the ban on living in vehicle bodies. Using land for more than two recreational vehicles for habitation is an RV park, permitted by site plan approval in the HC, RD, RC, LR and REC zones; the by-law sets no specific rule for one RV lived in on a lot. [1]
- Where allowed
- RV parks by site plan approval in the Hamlet Commercial, Rural Development, Rural Commercial, Lakeside Residential and Recreation zones (Table 7) [1]
- Approvals
- RV parks are subject to the site plan approval criteria in s.31.10, including a minimum RV site area of 76 m² [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 · Yarmouth’s term: “accessory building”
Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling or tourist cabin is a permitted accessory use (s.6.2.1(a)). A detached sleeping space would need to meet the rules for an accessory dwelling, which is a full dwelling unit. [1]
- Kitchen
- An accessory dwelling must be a dwelling unit, defined as having cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities [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
- Municipality of the District of Yarmouth website
- Municipality of the District of Yarmouth Land Use By-law
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Municipality of the District of Yarmouth Land Use By-law
- 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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