Douro-Dummer 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 · Douro-Dummer’s term: “second dwelling unit (detached)”

One second dwelling unit, either attached or detached, is permitted with a permanent single detached, semi-detached or rowhouse dwelling in the R, HR, SR and RU zones, subject to size, height and siting limits. It is not permitted on lots accessed by a private road, in a floodplain, within the 30 m water yard, or on a lot containing a sleeping cabin. [1]

Where allowed: Residential (R), Hamlet Residential (HR), Shoreline Residential (SR) and Rural (RU) zones list a second dwelling unit as a permitted use (s.4.1.3, 5.1.3, 6.1.4, 9.1.6) [2]
Number allowed: One second dwelling unit per primary dwelling unit, attached or detached but not both (s.3.39.1(a)-(b)) [2]
Maximum size: Ground floor area not more than 70% of the primary dwelling's ground floor area; not greater in area than the primary dwelling (s.3.39.4(iv), 3.39.1(c)) [2]
Maximum height: 4.5 m and never higher than the primary dwelling (s.3.39.4(ii)) [2]
Separation from house: No further than 30 m from the primary dwelling (s.3.39.4(v)) [2]
Parking: One off-street space in addition to other required parking; may be stacked (s.3.39.1(d)) [2]
Approvals: Not permitted in a floodplain, EC zone, on a property accessed by a private road, within the 30 m water yard, or on a lot containing a sleeping cabin; may not be a mobile home (s.3.39.1(f)-(g), 3.39.4(vi)) [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 with limits · Douro-Dummer’s term: “permanent single detached dwelling”

The R, HR, SR, LSR and RU zones require a minimum floor area of 100 m² and a minimum first storey floor area of 60 m² for a single detached dwelling.

Minimum dwelling size: 100 m² minimum floor area and 60 m² minimum first storey floor area - R (s.4.2.1), HR (s.5.2.1), SR (s.6.2.1), LSR (s.7.2.1), RU (s.9.2.4); Island Residential (IR): 72 m² minimum ground floor area (s.8.2.1) [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 · Douro-Dummer’s term: “mobile home / tourist trailer”

The by-law states it does not permit mobile homes in any zone, and tourist trailers may be used for habitation only in a licensed trailer park or temporarily (April to October) while a dwelling is under construction. Tourist trailer parks are for seasonal occupancy only; the by-law has no garden suite provision.

Where allowed: Commercial Tourist - Trailer Park (CT-1) zone permits tourist trailer parks (s.13.1.1), defined as seasonal occupancy only and excluding mobile homes (s.22.241) [2]
Temporary garden suite: Not provided for in the by-law [2]
Approvals: s.3.24: the by-law shall not be interpreted to permit mobile homes within any zone; s.3.35: no trailer or vehicle may be used for human habitation except per s.3.9.2 or in a licensed trailer park [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.

Allowed · Douro-Dummer’s term: “sleeping cabin”

One sleeping cabin per lot is permitted in any zone except where buildings are prohibited, as a single-storey detached accessory building with sleeping and approved sanitary facilities but no cooking facilities. A lot with a sleeping cabin cannot also have a second dwelling unit.

Maximum size: 47 m² floor area (s.3.42.1, 22.227) [2]
Maximum height: 4.5 m; single storey (s.3.42.1, 22.227) [2]
Number allowed: One sleeping cabin per lot (s.22.227) [2]
Kitchen: No facilities for meal preparation; sanitary facilities allowed as approved by the Peterborough County-City Health Unit (s.3.42.2) [2]
Setbacks: Front yard 15.0 m, rear yard 7.5 m, side yard 6.0 m, water yard 30.0 m (s.3.42.1) [2]
Where allowed: Any zone except zones where buildings or structures are prohibited (s.3.42.3) [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

Read the February 2025 office consolidation (amendments to By-law 2025-05). Online version excludes schedules/maps (County of Peterborough mapping) and the full version is viewable at the municipal office. The by-law still uses 'second dwelling unit' (one per primary dwelling); no update for additional residential units was found in this consolidation. LSR zone does not list second dwelling units. No ARU/garden suite guide page found.

Sources

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Douro-Dummer 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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