Chatsworth zoning for small homes

Township of Chatsworth, in the County of Grey. Population 7,080 (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 · Chatsworth’s term: “additional detached dwelling”

An additional detached dwelling within 75 m of the main dwelling is permitted in the Rural (A1) zone on lots of at least 0.4 ha and in the Urban Residential (R2) zone on lots of at least 2 ha. It is not permitted in the Lake Residential (R3) zone, which allows only a second unit inside the dwelling. Detached accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless specifically permitted.

Where allowed: A1 (Rural) and A2 (Restricted Rural, which applies A1 provisions); R2 (Urban Residential). Not R3 (Lake Residential) [1]
Minimum lot size: A1: 0.4 ha (0.99 acres) for an additional detached dwelling or a second unit; 0.8 ha (1.98 acres) for three units. R2: 2 ha (4.94 acres) for an additional detached dwelling [1]
Separation from house: Located not further than 75 metres from the other detached dwelling [1]
Number allowed: A1: maximum 3 dwelling units per lot; R2: maximum 2 [1]
Maximum height: A1 detached dwellings: 10 m [1]
Parking: A1: all dwelling units shall share one driveway entrance [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 · Chatsworth’s term: “detached dwelling”

The minimum floor area for detached dwellings in the A1, R2 and R3 zones is 250 sq. ft. (23.2258 m²).

Minimum dwelling size: A1 (s.8.3): 23.2258 m² (250 ft²); R2 (s.10.2 g) and R3 (s.11.2 g): minimum gross floor area 250 sq. ft.; dwelling unit definition: minimum 250 sq. ft. (22.53 sq. m.) [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.

Allowed with limits · Chatsworth’s term: “mobile home / trailer”

Trailers may not be used for human habitation except on lands zoned for that use, and a detached dwelling does not include a mobile home. Mobile homes are provided for in the Mobile Home Park (MH) zone, and temporary garden suites have been permitted site-specifically through temporary use provisions.

Where allowed: Mobile home park in the MH zone (minimum park lot area 10 ha; minimum mobile home site 350 m²); trailers in the Tent and Trailer Campground (T) zone for overnight or short-term use [1]
Temporary garden suite: Garden suite is defined as a portable one-bedroom detached unit ancillary to a dwelling. Example: exception A1-143 permits 'a garden suite in the form of a mobile home' until October 18, 2026 under a Temporary Use Agreement (s.39 Planning Act) [1]
Approvals: Prohibited in all zones: "The use of any trailer for human habitation, except where the trailer is located on lands zoned to allow such a use" (s.7.18 a) [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.

Not allowed · Chatsworth’s term: “sleeping cabin / bunkie”

A sleeping cabin is defined as 10 to 30 m² with heating but no cooking or sanitary facilities, but no zone lists it as a permitted use. Detached accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless the by-law specifically permits it, and the by-law refers to cabins permitted through site-specific zoning.

Maximum size: Definition 'Cabin, Sleeping': not less than 10 m² and not more than 30 m², no culinary or sanitary facilities [1]
Approvals: "No detached accessory building or accessory structure shall be used for human habitation ... unless specifically permitted by this By-law" (s.7.1 a); also prohibited in all zones (s.7.18 c) [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

This is the as-adopted text (passed February 5, 2025) with no consolidation. Appeal status was not found on the resource page. The by-law is not in effect for Massie and Walters Falls, which are under Niagara Escarpment Commission development control (s.7.25). The R2 minimum gross floor area is printed as '23.2258 sq. ft. (250 sq. ft.)', a unit typo, and the dwelling-unit definition gives 22.53 m². The by-law uses 'additional detached dwelling' and 'second dwelling unit' and has no 'additional residential unit' section. No ARU guide found.

Sources

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