Cockburn Island zoning for small homes

Township of Cockburn Island, a single-tier municipality. Population 16 (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.

Not allowed · Cockburn Island’s term: “additional residential unit”

The by-law defines an additional residential unit but no zone lists it as a permitted use, and accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless a dwelling is a permitted accessory use; a zoning amendment would be needed.

Where allowed: Not listed as a permitted use in the Hamlet (H) or Rural (R) zones [1]
Approvals: Accessory buildings shall not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use (s.4.1) [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 · Cockburn Island’s term: “detached dwelling / single detached dwelling / seasonal dwelling”

The Hamlet zone and the Rural zone rules for single detached and seasonal dwellings set no minimum dwelling floor area; a 55 m² minimum ground floor area applies only to dwellings on agricultural or agricultural-related lots in the Rural zone.

Minimum dwelling size: None for detached/seasonal dwellings in Hamlet (H) or Rural (R) zones; 55 m² minimum ground floor area for a dwelling on an agricultural or agricultural-related use lot in the Rural zone [1]
Minimum lot size: 1,858 m² and 30 m frontage (Hamlet and Rural residential uses) [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 · Cockburn Island’s term: “recreational vehicle / mobile home”

No recreational vehicle may be used for sleeping or eating, recreational vehicles are prohibited on vacant lots, and mobile homes are not permitted in any zone (except temporary work camps in the Pit and Quarry zone). The by-law has no garden suite provision.

Where allowed: Mobile homes not permitted in any zone (s.4.10) [1]
Approvals: No recreational vehicle shall be used for habitable space (sleeping and/or eating); no recreational trailer or vehicle shall be used as a permanent building [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 · Cockburn Island’s term: “guest cabin”

A guest cabin is defined as a building accessory to a seasonal dwelling, without cooking facilities, used only for sleeping; one is permitted per lot, subject to the general accessory building limits.

Number allowed: One guest cabin per lot; not as a loft above a garage [1]
Kitchen: No cooking facilities [1]
Maximum height: 6 m (accessory buildings) [1]
Setbacks: Rear and interior side yards 1.5 m; not closer to the front/exterior lot line than the principal building [1]
Where allowed: Accessory to a seasonal dwelling (per definition) [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

By-law 2024-05 adopted by Council October 9, 2024, replacing By-law 1980-06; it is the original text (no consolidation). Section 4.1.1(2) states 'a guest cabin for human habitation is not permitted except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use', which conflicts with the guest cabin definition; the bunkie answer is 'limited' for that reason. Section 4.10 refers to mobile homes 'as defined' but no definition appears. Section 4.1(b) refers to a 'Hamlet Residential (HR)' zone that is not among the established zones (H, R, O, Q, WD). Hamlet zone standards are an image table (page 20), read visually.

Sources

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