Blandford-Blenheim zoning for small homes

Township of Blandford-Blenheim, in the County of Oxford. Population 7,565 (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 · Blandford-Blenheim’s term: “detached additional residential unit”

One detached additional residential unit is permitted in the R1, R2, R3, CC, V, RE and RR zones subject to servicing and lot-size conditions, but not in Drumbo or Bright, and in the A1/A2 zones only with approval of a planning application. Unless the lot has full municipal water and sewer, a minimum lot area of 0.6 ha applies. [1][2]

Number allowed: 1 detached additional residential unit per lot; in A1 and A2 zones subject to approval of a planning application (Table 5.5.2.4) [3]
Minimum lot size: 0.6 ha (1.48 ac) unless served by both municipal water and sewage, in which case the zone's lot area for the principal dwelling applies (Table 5.5.2.4) [3]
Maximum size: Cumulative area of all additional units: lesser of 50% of the principal dwelling or 50 m² (538 ft²) on fully serviced lots; 100 m² (1,076 ft²) in partially serviced R/V and settlement RE/RR; 140 m² (1,506 ft²) in A1, A2, RR and RE outside settlements; also limited by accessory lot coverage (Tables 5.5.2.3, 5.5.2.4) [3]
Maximum height: Per accessory building limits (4.5 m in R1/R2/R3/CC/V; 5.5 m in RE/RR and A1/A2) and not taller than the principal dwelling in residential/settlement zones (Tables 5.1.1.5, 5.5.2.4) [3]
Where allowed: Rear or interior side yard; maximum 40 m from the street in R/V and settlement RE/RR; within 30 m of the principal dwelling in A1/A2; not in Drumbo or Bright (s.5.5.2.2, Table 5.5.2.4) [3]
Parking: 1 space per additional residential unit, tandem allowed outside a garage (Table 5.5.2.3) [3]
Temporary garden suite: A garden suite requires a temporary use by-law under s.39.1 of the Planning Act for up to 20 years, for retired parents/grandparents of the owner; one storey, maximum 140 m² (s.5.11) [3]

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. [4][5][6]

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 · Blandford-Blenheim’s term: “single detached dwelling”

The R1 and RR zone provision tables set lot area, frontage, yard, coverage and height requirements but no minimum dwelling floor area. [2]

Minimum dwelling size: None stated in the R1 (Table 11.2) or RR zone provisions [1]
Minimum lot size: R1: 2,800 m² without municipal sewage; 450 m² (600 m² corner) with municipal water and sewage (Table 11.2); RR: 2,800 m² [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. [4][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.

Allowed with limits · Blandford-Blenheim’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle”

A 'dwelling' excludes trailers, mobile homes, motor homes and recreational vehicles, and no recreational vehicle may be used for permanent occupancy while stored on a lot. Mobile homes are provided for in the Mobile Home Park (RMH) zone, and a mobile home may serve as a second accessory farm dwelling in the A1/A2 zones.

Where allowed: Mobile Home Park (RMH) zone; mobile home park minimum 2.0 ha under single ownership (s.14, s.4 definition) [13]
Approvals: 'Dwelling' does not include a trailer, mobile home, motor home or recreational vehicle, except a mobile home as a second accessory dwelling to a farm in the A1 or A2 zones (s.4) [14]
Approvals: No recreational vehicle shall be used for permanent home occupancy while stored on any lot (s.5.28.1.6) [3]

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. [12][7][4][9][8]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.

Not allowed · Blandford-Blenheim’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except as the by-law specifically permits (such as a detached additional residential unit or garden suite); there is no provision for a sleeping cabin.

Maximum height: Accessory buildings: 5.5 m (18 ft) in RE, RR, A1, A2; 4.5 m (14.8 ft) in R1, R2, R3, CC, V (Table 5.1.1.5) [3]
Approvals: An accessory building is not to be used for human habitation, except as permitted in the by-law (s.5.1.1.4) [3]

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. [9][7][4][15]

Official links

Zoning By-law 1360-2002 (consolidated to March 30, 2026)

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

Section PDFs downloaded from www.oxfordcounty.ca/media/... (page states the consolidation is current to March 30, 2026; section notes cite amendments up to By-law 2533-2026). Council-approved list dated Apr. 30/26 shows one site-specific amendment awaiting consolidation (2539-2026, 23 Henry Street, R3-7). The 'MOBILE HOME' definition was deleted by By-law 2449-2024 though the term is still used. Township home page not verified.

Sources

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