Havelock-Belmont-Methuen zoning for small homes

Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, in the County of Peterborough. Population 5,083 (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 with limits · Havelock-Belmont-Methuen’s term: “additional dwelling unit”

One additional dwelling unit may be located in an accessory building in the Agricultural (A), Rural (RU), Residential Type 1 (R1) and Residential Type 2 (R2) zones. It is not allowed on private roads, within 30 m of a high water mark, within 300 m of an at-capacity lake, or with a vacation dwelling, and sewage capacity and potable water must be demonstrated. [1]

Where allowed: Agricultural (A), Rural (RU), Residential Type-1 (R1) and Residential Type-2 (R2) zones (s.4.35) [1]
Number allowed: Only one additional dwelling unit inside an accessory building or structure (s.4.35 d) iii; e) i) [1]
Maximum size: On lots without full municipal services, an ADU shall be clearly subordinate to the primary dwelling unit in size (s.4.35 e) ii); no fixed figure [1]
Maximum height: If the ADU is the primary use of the accessory building, zone provisions apply; if within an accessory use, s.4.1 applies (accessory buildings 4.5 m (15 ft) in residential zones and for residential accessory buildings in A/RU) [1]
Servicing: Must demonstrate existing sewage services have sufficient capacity and obtain a certificate of occupancy for potable water (s.4.35 b) [1]
Parking: One off-street parking space; tandem parking permitted (s.4.35) [1]
Where allowed: Not permitted on lots accessed by private roads, with a vacation/recreational dwelling, in EP zone or floodplain, within 30 m of a high water mark, or within 300 m of an at-capacity lake (s.4.35 f) [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 with limits · Havelock-Belmont-Methuen’s term: “single detached dwelling”

In the R1, Rural (RU) and Agricultural (A) zones, a single detached dwelling must have a minimum floor area of 97.5 m² for one storey, 120 m² for 1½ storeys and 140 m² for two storeys. The Seasonal Residential (SR) zone sets a 74 m² minimum. [1]

Minimum dwelling size: R1, RU and A zones: 1 storey 97.5 m² (1050 sq ft); 1½ storey 120 m² (1300 sq ft); 2 storey 140 m² (1500 sq ft) (ss.5.2.2, 6.2.6, 7.2.1) [1]
Minimum dwelling size: Seasonal Residential (SR) zone: 74 m² (797 sq ft) (s.10) [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 · Havelock-Belmont-Methuen’s term: “mobile home / trailer”

Single-wide and double-wide mobile homes are permitted only in the Residential Mobile Home Park (RMH) zone. No trailer or recreational motor home may be used for temporary or permanent human habitation. [1]

Where allowed: Single wide and double wide mobile homes shall be permitted only within a Mobile Home Park (RMH) Zone; concrete apron or basement and skirting required (s.4.25) [1]
Where allowed: No truck, bus, recreational motor home, recreational or any other type of trailer shall be used for temporary or permanent human habitation (s.4.32) [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.

Allowed with limits · Havelock-Belmont-Methuen’s term: “sleeping cabin”

One sleeping cabin with no cooking facilities is permitted per lot in the Seasonal Residential (SR) and Island Residential (IR) zones. It must be a one-storey building of 10 to 29.7 m², set back like the main building and not closer to the water than the main dwelling. [1]

Where allowed: Seasonal Residential (SR) and Island Residential (IR) zones (s.4.40) [1]
Maximum size: Gross floor area minimum 10 m² (108 sq ft), maximum 29.7 m² (320 sq ft), porch included; attached or nearby decks max 15 m² (161 sq ft) (s.4.40 c) [1]
Maximum height: Limited to a detached one storey building (s.4.40 b) [1]
Number allowed: One sleeping cabin per lot (s.4.40 e) [1]
Kitchen: No cooking facilities (definition); plumbing and/or washroom facilities permitted (s.4.40 f) [1]
Setbacks: Main-building lot line setbacks; not in a front yard abutting a shoreline and not closer to the water than the main dwelling (s.4.40 a, d) [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

The inventory labelled this a 'new comprehensive by-law 2025-046', but the PDF is a July 2025 office consolidation of By-law 1995-42 that includes all amendments up to and including By-law 2025-046. It is the 'Current Zoning By-Law' linked on the township's Official Plan and Zoning page. Garden suites are defined, and s.4.35 c) lets a legally existing garden suite become a permanent ADU, but no general temporary garden suite provision was found.

Sources

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