Arran-Elderslie zoning for small homes
Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, in the County of Bruce. Population 6,913 (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 with limits · Arran-Elderslie’s term: “additional residential unit (ARU)”
Bruce County's ARU page states that Arran-Elderslie allows up to two additional residential units as of right, depending on the property's zoning and connection to municipal services. The January 2019 consolidation of By-law 36-09 predates these ARU permissions, so detailed size and setback rules could not be confirmed. [1][2]
- Number allowed
- As-of-right permissions allow up to 2 Additional Residential Units, depending on zoning and connection to municipal services [1]
- Servicing
- Depends on connection to municipal services (Bruce County ARU page) [1]
Ontario-wide rule
Ontario law stops municipalities from banning one residential unit in a building ancillary to a detached house, semi-detached house or rowhouse on a parcel of urban residential land, as long as the lot has no more than three units in total. Municipalities still set most other zoning rules, but provincial law limits parking requirements, minimum unit size, lot coverage and separation distances. These units are also exempt from development charges and parkland dedication. [3][4][5]
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 with limits · Arran-Elderslie’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The by-law sets a minimum ground floor area for single detached dwellings of 70 m² for dwellings over one storey and 90 m² for one-storey dwellings in the R1/R2, Hamlet Residential (HR), Cottage Residential (R4) and General Agriculture (A1) non-farm lot provisions. [2]
- Minimum dwelling size
- R1/R2 single detached: minimum ground floor area 70 m² (753 ft²) [greater than 1 storey]; 90 m² (969 ft²) [1 storey] (s.10.3) [2]
- Minimum dwelling size
- HR, R4 and A1 non-farm lots: same 70 m² (more than 1 storey) / 90 m² (1 storey) minimum ground floor area (ss.6.3, 8.3, 9.3) [2]
Ontario-wide rule
Ontario law sets no minimum total size for a house that is the main dwelling. The Building Code sets minimum room areas, so the smallest compliant dwelling is roughly 17.5 m² by the Province's own estimate. Municipalities may still set minimum floor areas for main dwellings in their zoning by-laws. The provincial ban on minimum sizes covers only additional residential units. [3][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Not allowed · Arran-Elderslie’s term: “mobile home / park model trailer / travel trailer”
The definition of dwelling excludes mobile homes, park model trailers and travel trailers, and the by-law has no mobile home park zone; the Travel Trailer Park and Campground (TTP) zone is for seasonal or intermittent use. Garden suites have been permitted only site-specifically through temporary use by-laws. [2]
- Where allowed
- 'Dwelling' shall not include any mobile home, park model trailer, construction trailer, travel trailer (s.2 definitions) [2]
- Temporary garden suite
- Permitted site-specifically by temporary use by-law under Planning Act s.39.1 (e.g. A1-30-2012, 10-year term; s.6.4.34) [2]
- Approvals
- An existing dwelling, mobile home, park model trailer or travel trailer may be used as a temporary building during construction when approved by the Chief Building Official (s.3.1.2) [2]
Ontario-wide rule
Ontario has no single rule for living full-time in a tiny home on wheels. A unit on wheels can count as a 'building' that needs a permit and must meet the Building Code once it stays in one place, is hooked up to services or is anchored. Park model trailers are recognized only as seasonal recreational buildings. Municipalities may allow a portable garden suite under a temporary-use by-law for up to 20 years, with extensions of up to 3 years each. [11][6][3][8][7]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not allowed · Arran-Elderslie’s term: “accessory building”
The by-law does not provide for sleeping cabins or bunkies, and uses accessory to a residential use may not be used for human habitation unless specifically permitted by the zone. The Cottage Residential (R4) zone permits a cottage dwelling and does not list a sleeping cabin. [2]
- Where allowed
- Uses accessory to a residential use shall not be used for human habitation unless specifically permitted by the provisions of the zone (s.3.6.2) [2]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings in Residential zones: 5 m (16 ft) (s.3.6.4) [2]
- Number allowed
- No more than three accessory buildings or structures; total lot coverage max 10% (s.3.6.5) [2]
Ontario-wide rule
Ontario law has no rule written specifically for bunkies or sleeping cabins. Whether one needs a building permit depends on the Building Code Act's definition of 'building' and the Code's shed exemption. That exemption covers only storage-use sheds, so it does not cover a structure used for sleeping. Municipal zoning rules for accessory buildings still apply. [8][6][3][12]
Official links
- Municipality of Arran-Elderslie website
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 36-09
- Arran-Elderslie’s guide to additional units
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Arran-Elderslie’s guide to additional units
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 36-09
- Planning Act (Ontario e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 299/19: Additional residential units (Ontario e-Laws)
- Development Charges Act, 1997 (Ontario e-Laws)
- Government of Ontario PDF
- Build or buy a tiny home: Building Code requirements (Government of Ontario)
- Building Code Act, 1992 (Ontario e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 163/24: Ontario Building Code (Ontario e-Laws)
- 2024 Ontario Building Code (Government of Ontario)
- Build or buy a tiny home: permits and inspections (Government of Ontario)
- Building Code updates (Government of Ontario)
Not legal advice
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