Assiginack zoning for small homes
Township of Assiginack, a single-tier municipality. Population 1,008 (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 · Assiginack’s term: “additional dwelling unit / garden suite”
One additional dwelling unit in a detached accessory building is permitted in the Agricultural, Rural, Residential (R1) and Multiple Residential zones, subject to size and distance limits and an approved Township licence agreement; it is not permitted in the Shoreline Residential zone. A garden suite is treated as an additional dwelling unit. [1]
- Where allowed
- Agricultural (A), Rural (RU), Residential (R1) and Multiple Residential (RM) zones, 'in accordance with Section 5.2 and as per approved Township License Agreement'; not permitted in the Shoreline Residential (SR) zone (s. 5.2 e)) [1]
- Number allowed
- Maximum two additional dwelling units per lot: one in the principal dwelling and one in a detached accessory structure (s. 5.2 a) i) [1]
- Maximum size
- 112 m² gross floor area, and no more than 45% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling (s. 5.2 a) vii, c) ii) [1]
- Separation from house
- No more than 30 m from the principal dwelling; 50 m in the Agricultural and Rural zones (s. 5.2 c) iii) [1]
- Setbacks
- Rear or side yard only, meeting the zone's minimum yards; not in the front yard except in the A and RU zones (s. 5.2 c) i, d) [1]
- Servicing
- Where municipal water is available, each unit must be separately connected and the Township must confirm capacity (s. 5.2 a) iv) [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. [2][3][4]
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 · Assiginack’s term: “tiny home dwelling”
The by-law defines a tiny home as a small self-contained dwelling meeting the Ontario Building Code minimum and treats it as a single detached dwelling. The general minimum size for a single detached dwelling is 37 m². [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- 37 m² for a single detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or townhouse (s. 5.24) [1]
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. [2][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Needs approval · Assiginack’s term: “travel trailer / mobile home”
Using a tourist trailer or mobile home for human habitation is prohibited except as specifically provided; mobile homes are allowed only on individual properties listed as site-specific exceptions. One travel trailer may be placed on a lot where a dwelling is permitted only with an annual Travel Trailer License from the Township. [1]
- Where allowed
- Mobile homes are permitted only on lands with site-specific exceptions (e.g. RU-3, RU-10, R1-5); no zone lists mobile homes or mobile home parks generally (s. 5.47 b), s. 6 exceptions) [1]
- Approvals
- 1 travel trailer may be permitted on a lot where a residential dwelling unit is permitted, with an approved Travel Trailer License secured annually (s. 5.28 h) ii); trailers also subject to By-law 20-14 Trailer Licensing (s. 5.1.1 f) [1]
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. [10][5][2][7][6]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Allowed with limits · Assiginack’s term: “sleeping cabin”
One sleeping cabin is permitted as an accessory use on a lot in the Shoreline Residential zone only, without food preparation facilities. [1]
- Where allowed
- Shoreline Residential (SR) zone only (s. 5.1.9) [1]
- Number allowed
- One per lot (s. 5.1.9 a) [1]
- Maximum size
- 60 m² floor area (s. 5.1.9 c) [1]
- Maximum height
- 4.5 m, limited to 1 storey (s. 5.1.9 d, f) [1]
- Kitchen
- No food preparation facilities (s. 5.1.9 e) [1]
- Setbacks
- Must meet all required yards for the residential dwelling (s. 5.1.9 b) [1]
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. [7][5][2][11]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Township of Assiginack web page (assiginack.ca)
- 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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