Deep River zoning for small homes
Town of Deep River, in the County of Renfrew. Population 4,175 (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 · Deep River’s term: “additional dwelling unit (in an ancillary building)”
An additional dwelling unit is permitted in an ancillary (accessory) building on lots with a single-detached, semi-detached or row house dwelling, in any zone that allows those dwellings. On lots with private well or septic, only one additional unit is allowed and the lot must be larger than 0.8 ha. [1]
- Number allowed
- Full municipal services: one additional unit in an accessory building if the main dwelling has no more than one additional unit (s.3.25(i)); private services: one additional unit in total (s.3.25(ii)) [2]
- Minimum lot size
- Lots on private septic and/or private well: greater than 0.8 hectares (s.3.25(ii)(b)) [2]
- Setbacks
- Not in any required yard, and at least 1.8 m from the principal dwelling when in an ancillary structure (s.3.25(iii)) [2]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings: 4.5 m and one storey (s.3.4.1(d)); a unit in an accessory building may be on a second storey where the principal dwelling is two or more storeys (s.3.25(v)) [2]
- Parking
- One additional parking space per additional dwelling unit (s.3.25(iv)) [2]
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 · Deep River’s term: “tiny house dwelling / single detached dwelling”
The Residential One (R1) and Rural (RU) zone provisions set no minimum dwelling floor area for a single detached dwelling. The by-law defines a 'tiny house dwelling' as a freestanding one-unit building that meets the Ontario Building Code.
- Minimum dwelling size
- No minimum dwelling unit area is listed in the R1 zone provisions (s.5.2.1) or the RU zone provisions (s.25.2) [2]
- Where allowed
- Single detached dwellings are permitted in the R1 zone (s.5.1) and RU zone (s.25.1), among others [2]
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 · Deep River’s term: “mobile home / trailer / recreational vehicle”
Section 3.12 prohibits human habitation in any mobile home, trailer or recreational vehicle unless specifically permitted elsewhere, and the by-law's dwelling definitions exclude mobile homes and travel trailers. No mobile home park zone or temporary garden suite provision was found; a recreational vehicle campground is a listed use in the Rural zone.
- Where allowed
- No human habitation in 'any mobile home, trailer or recreation vehicle' (s.3.12(d)); 'dwelling unit' does not include a mobile home or tent or travel trailer (s.2.0) [2]
- Temporary garden suite
- No temporary garden suite provision found; 'garden suite' is mentioned only in s.3.8 (Dwellings per Lot) [2]
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 allowed · Deep River’s term: “accessory building”
No accessory building may be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use, and the by-law has no sleep cabin or bunkie provision. The only habitable detached accessory option found is an additional dwelling unit.
- Where allowed
- No accessory building or structure shall be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use (s.3.4.1(a)); no habitation in any building accessory to a residential use unless specifically permitted (s.3.12(a)) [2]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings: 4.5 m, one storey (s.3.4.1(d)) [2]
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
- Town of Deep River web page (deepriver.ca)
- Zoning By-law No. 07-2024
- 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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