Dryden zoning for small homes

City of Dryden, a single-tier municipality. Population 7,388 (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 · Dryden’s term: “additional residential unit (detached ancillary building); garden suite (temporary)”

One additional residential unit is permitted in a detached ancillary building on a lot with a single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling, and it may be a tiny home dwelling. A garden suite needs a site-specific temporary use by-law.

Where allowed: Additional residential unit is a permitted use in R1, R2, RR, RS and RU zones (ss.4.4, 4.5, 4.9, 4.10, 4.24); not in a regulated floodplain (s.3.4.2) [1]
Number allowed: Maximum two ARUs per lot (three units total); only one ARU in a detached ancillary building (s.3.4.1) [1]
Maximum size: Must not exceed the gross floor area of the principal dwelling unit; counts toward maximum lot coverage (s.3.4.5) [1]
Setbacks: Yard and setback provisions of the principal dwelling apply, except a minimum rear yard of 3 m; no windows facing an interior side or rear yard abutting other residential properties (s.3.4.5) [1]
Parking: One space per ARU, tandem permitted (s.3.4.8) [1]
Servicing: Only where adequate public or private water and sanitary services are available or can be accommodated (s.3.4.4) [1]
Temporary garden suite: Site-specific temporary use by-law for up to 20 years; one per lot; max. 5 m and one storey; max. 40 m² gross floor area; rear yard 3 m; not to constitute a travel trailer; removal agreement required (s.3.2.5) [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 · Dryden’s term: “single detached dwelling / tiny home dwelling”

The residential and rural zones set no minimum dwelling floor area. A 'tiny home dwelling' on a foundation is listed as a permitted use in the Rural Residential, Shoreline Residential, mobile home and modular zones, and on existing undersized vacant lots of record in R1 and R2.

Minimum dwelling size: No minimum floor area in R1, R2, RR, RS or RU zone requirements; a tiny home dwelling 'shall not be less than 17.5 m², per the Ontario Building Code' (definition) [1]
Where allowed: Tiny home dwelling permitted in RR, RS, RMH and RMD zones; in R1 and R2 on existing undersized vacant lots of record, subject to servicing and public road frontage (ss.4.4.1, 4.5.1, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9.1, 4.10.1) [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 · Dryden’s term: “mobile home dwelling / recreational vehicle / travel trailer”

Mobile homes built to CSA Z240 may be used as dwellings only in zones that permit them, the Residential Mobile Home (RMH) and Residential Modular Dwelling (RMD) zones. A tiny home dwelling must be on a foundation with wheels removed and excludes recreational vehicles and trailers, and RV occupancy is not permitted on a vacant lot.

Where allowed: Mobile homes may be used as dwelling units only in a zone which permits mobile homes, built to CSA Z240 and anchored on a compacted gravel pad (s.3.25.2); mobile home dwelling permitted in RMH and RMD zones [1]
Temporary garden suite: Available by site-specific temporary use by-law (up to 20 years, max. 40 m², shall not constitute a travel trailer) (s.3.2.5) [1]
Approvals: Use, occupancy, parking and/or storage of recreational vehicles and trailers is not permitted on a vacant lot (s.3.25.1(f)) [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 · Dryden’s term: “sleep cabin”

Unless otherwise stated in the by-law, the development of sleep cabins is prohibited, and no zone, including the Shoreline Residential and Rural Residential zones, lists them as permitted.

Approvals: 'Unless otherwise stated in the provisions of this By-law, the development of sleep cabins is prohibited' (s.3.2.9) [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

Read the as-adopted text (Council adoption Feb 10, 2025). No consolidation is posted, and the City zoning page lists no amendments. Later site-specific amendments (e.g. 2026-9) were not checked. No City ARU or garden suite guide page was found. The by-law does not expressly prohibit occupying an RV on an occupied residential lot; it bars RV occupancy only on vacant lots. Whether a detached ARU is subject to the 5 m accessory height limit is not stated.

Sources

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