Collingwood zoning for small homes
Town of Collingwood, in the County of Simcoe. Population 24,811 (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 · Collingwood’s term: “additional residential unit (coach house / garden suite)”
An additional residential unit in a detached accessory building is permitted on residential (R1–R3) and rural (RU) zoned lots with a single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling, on a lot fronting an open, year-round maintained road. Lots without municipal water or sewer are allowed if Ontario Building Code requirements can be shown to be met. [1][2]
- Maximum height
- 7.5 m or the height of the principal building, whichever is less (Table 4.40.2.2.1) [1]
- Setbacks
- Front yard 6 m (not closer to the front lot line than the main building); interior side yard 1.5 m; exterior side yard 3 m; rear yard 1.5 m (Table 4.40.2.2.1) [1]
- Number allowed
- Up to 3 ARUs per lot (4 units total); max. 2 accessory buildings containing ARUs, each with max. 2 ARUs (s.4.40, 4.40.2.5–4.40.2.6) [1]
- Maximum size
- No separate floor area cap. The building counts toward the 15% residential lot coverage limit for detached accessory buildings (s.4.33.5, 4.40.2.7). Up to 45% total lot coverage on lots with an ARU (s.4.40) [1]
- Parking
- 1 space per unit, with no more than 2 spaces required for all ARUs (Table 5.15.1.1) [1]
- Servicing
- Municipal water and sewer, or private services where Ontario Building Code compliance is demonstrated; rural zone ARUs must meet minimum distance separation (s.4.40.2.8–4.40.2.10) [1]
- Where allowed
- R1, R2, R3 and RU zones; not on lands subject to natural hazards unless the Conservation Authority permits (s.4.40.2.11) [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. [3][4][5]
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 · Collingwood’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The residential and rural zone provisions set no minimum floor area for a single detached dwelling. A dwelling unit must be in a building permanently affixed to a foundation. [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated for single detached dwellings [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. [3][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Not allowed · Collingwood’s term: “trailer / recreational vehicle”
The definition of 'dwelling unit' requires a building permanently affixed to a foundation and excludes any motor vehicle or recreational vehicle, including trailers. Section 4 prohibits using any lot as a tourist camp, and no zone permits mobile home or trailer parks. [1]
- Where allowed
- Nowhere: 'Dwelling Unit' excludes motor vehicles and recreational vehicles, and 'tourist camp' (RV camp) is a prohibited use in all zones [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. [11][6][3][8][7]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not addressed · Collingwood’s term: “detached accessory building”
The by-law does not address sleeping cabins. In residential zones, a detached accessory building may not be used as a dwelling unit but may be finished as private recreational space (s.4.33.8), and the general accessory building limits apply. [1]
- Maximum height
- 7.0 m in Residential zones; other zones same as the main building (Table 4.33.7.1) [1]
- Maximum size
- Residential zones: max. ground floor area 75 m² per detached accessory building; all detached accessory buildings max. 15% of lot area (s.4.33.5–4.33.6) [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. [8][6][3][12]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Zoning By-law 2010-040
- Collingwood’s guide to additional units
- 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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