Guelph zoning for small homes
City of Guelph, a single-tier municipality. Population 143,740 (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 · Guelph’s term: “additional dwelling unit (ADU) in a separate building”
By-law (2024)-21024 replaced Section 4.12.1 to allow up to four units on a single detached lot, including one or two additional dwelling units in a separate building in the low-density residential zones. Detached ADUs are subject to size, height, setback and yard-coverage limits and to confirmation of servicing capacity. [1]
- Number allowed
- Single detached lot: up to 4 dwelling units in total, of which up to 2 ADUs may be in a separate building (s.4.12.1(a)); max 3 units on semi-detached, duplex and on-street townhouse lots [2]
- Maximum size
- 80 m² residential floor area per ADU; two ADUs in one building: max 90 m² floorplate; all ADUs and accessory buildings together max 30% of the yard (s.4.12.1(g)(i)-(iii)) [2]
- Maximum height
- 6.1 m (s.4.12.1(g)(iv)) [2]
- Setbacks
- Interior side and rear: same as the minimum interior side yard of the primary dwelling in the zone, at least 1.2 m; 3 m where a second-storey window faces a lot line; not in the front yard or required exterior side yard (s.4.12.1(g)(vi)-(vii)) [2]
- Separation from house
- Minimum 3 m (s.4.12.1(g)(viii)) [2]
- Parking
- 1 ADU: no space required; 2 ADUs: 1 space; 3 ADUs: 2 spaces (Table 5.3 Row 1); may be stacked in the driveway [2]
- Servicing
- Subject to confirmation of adequate and available servicing capacity under Section 4.10 (Table 6.1 additional regulation 1) [2]
- Where allowed
- Permitted within and on the same lot as a single detached, semi-detached, duplex, on-street townhouse or rear-access on-street townhouse dwelling, in accordance with s.4.12.1 (Table 6.1 additional regulation 1) [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 · Guelph’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The RL.1 and RL.2 regulations (Tables 6.2–6.4) set lot area, frontage, setback and height limits but no minimum dwelling floor area for a single detached dwelling. The only per-unit floor area minimums found are site-specific exceptions.
- Minimum dwelling size
- No minimum dwelling floor area in the RL.1/RL.2 single detached regulations; minimum lot area 460 m² (RL.1) / 275 m² (RL.2) [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 · Guelph’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle”
The by-law's definition of dwelling unit excludes a mobile home, and no zone lists mobile homes or a mobile home park as a permitted use. Recreational vehicles (motor homes, camper trailers) are defined for temporary recreational travel or accommodation and are regulated only as parked vehicles.
- Where allowed
- None found: 'Dwelling unit ... does not include a mobile home' (Part B definitions); no mobile home zone [1]
- Temporary garden suite
- 'Garden suite' is defined (portable and temporary, separate from a primary dwelling) but is not listed as a permitted use in any zone table; no as-of-right permission found [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 allowed · Guelph’s term: “accessory building”
Section 4.5.1(a) states that no accessory building or structure shall be used for human habitation except as an additional dwelling unit under Section 4.12.1. A sleeping-only cabin would have to meet the additional dwelling unit rules instead.
- Maximum size
- Accessory buildings in residential zones: max 70 m² total ground floor area (s.4.5.2(a), listed as under appeal) [1]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings in residential zones: 4 m (s.4.5.2(b)) [1]
- Approvals
- No accessory building or structure shall be used for human habitation, except as provided for in Section 4.12.1 (s.4.5.1(a)) [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
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law (2023)-20790
- City of Guelph PDF (guelph.ca)
- 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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