Bracebridge zoning for small homes

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 · Bracebridge’s term: “second dwelling unit”

In the by-law as posted, a second dwelling unit can be in a separate detached accessory building only in the Rural (RU) and Rural Residential (RR) zones. In the R1–R3 urban residential zones it is permitted only within the dwelling.

Where allowed: RU and RR zones (detached accessory building permitted); R1–R3 zones: only within a detached, semi-detached, duplex or row dwelling (s.3.8.2(*6), s.3.2.2(*4)) [1]
Number allowed: 1 second dwelling unit per lot (s.3.8.2(*6)(i)) [1]
Maximum size: 75 m² GFA unless located within the detached dwelling (s.3.8.2(*6)(v)) [1]
Minimum lot size: Lot must meet the zone's minimum lot area and frontage: RU 4.0 ha / 120 m, RR 2.0 ha / 90 m (s.3.8.2(*6)(ii), Table 3.8.3.1) [1]
Maximum height: Accessory buildings: 7.0 m; second-floor area above 2.0 m ceiling height max 75 m² where it contains a second dwelling unit (s.4.2.1(v)) [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 with limits · Bracebridge’s term: “detached dwelling”

The by-law sets a minimum dwelling size of 60 m² GFA for detached dwellings in the R1–R3 and SR1–SR5 shoreline residential zones, and 85 m² GFA in the rural zones.

Minimum dwelling size: 60 m² GFA in R1, R2, R3 (Table 3.2.3.1) and in shoreline residential zones SR1–SR5 (Table 3.3.3.1); 85 m² GFA in RU, RR and other rural zones (Table 3.8.3.1) [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.

Not allowed · Bracebridge’s term: “mobile home / motor home / travel trailer”

'Dwelling, mobile home' is defined but not listed as a permitted use in any zone. Motor homes and travel trailers may be lived in only within a camping establishment or, in the RU and RR zones, seasonally on lots of at least 0.8 ha.

Where allowed: Motor home or travel trailer may not be used for human habitation in any zone except within a camping establishment, or in RU/RR zones: max 1 unit, lot min 0.8 ha, meeting yard requirements (s.5.14.4) [1]
Approvals: RU/RR seasonal use limited to May 15 to October 15 (s.5.14.4(iii) as amended by Housekeeping By-law 2020-017) [11]

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 · Bracebridge’s term: “sleeping cabin”

One sleeping cabin is permitted as a use accessory to a detached or seasonal dwelling in the shoreline residential zones (SR1–SR5). In other zones, detached accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless specifically permitted. [11]

Where allowed: SR1–SR5 shoreline zones, accessory to a detached or seasonal dwelling; in a two-storey boathouse, a detached garage or a separate accessory building; not in the front yard (s.3.3.2(*1)); elsewhere accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation (s.4.2.1(ii)) [1]
Number allowed: Maximum 1 sleeping cabin (s.3.3.2(*1)(ii)) [1]
Maximum size: 37 m² GFA including porches; attached deck max 50% of the cabin's GFA (s.3.3.2(*1)(iii), (vi)) [1]
Maximum height: Accessory buildings 7.0 m (s.4.2.1(v)); two-storey boathouse 7.0 m (s.4.4) [1]
Kitchen: Sanitary facilities may be provided but not cooking facilities (definition of Sleeping Cabin) [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][12]

Official links

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

The Town's zoning page links only to the original 2016-088 as enacted on Nov 30, 2016 (PDF dated Jan 2017) and to Housekeeping By-law 2020-017; no office consolidation was found. Later amendments, including any additional-residential-unit amendment responding to Planning Act changes, may not be reflected; I found none, but could not rule one out. Provincial ARU permissions under the Planning Act may allow more on serviced urban lots than this by-law text shows; not verified here (e-laws page did not render).

Sources

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Bracebridge zoning for small homes

Backyard suite

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on a foundation

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Ontario-wide rule

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

Ontario-wide rule

Official links

Sources

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