Hearst zoning for small homes

Town of Hearst, a single-tier municipality. Population 4,794 (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 · Hearst’s term: “additional residential unit”

On municipally serviced land in the settlement area where residential use is permitted, one additional residential unit is allowed in an exterior ancillary structure. On unserviced parcels, a maximum of one additional residential unit per parcel is allowed, either in the dwelling or in an exterior ancillary structure. [1]

Number allowed: One dwelling unit in an exterior ancillary structure (serviced settlement-area lots); unserviced parcels: max one ARU per parcel (s.3.18, BL 18-24) [1]
Maximum height: Residential zones: accessory building or structure shall not exceed 4.27 m, except to match the roof slope of the principal building (s.4.1.1.8) [1]
Setbacks: Residential zones: at least 1.5 m from the principal building and 1.0 m from side/rear lot lines in rear yard; accessory lot coverage max 15% (s.4.1.1) [1]
Servicing: Three-unit permission applies to parcels served by municipal drinking water and sewage works in the settlement area (s.3.18) [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 · Hearst’s term: “single detached dwelling”

Residential zones such as R1 set a minimum gross floor area of 83.5 m² for one-storey single detached dwellings and 60 m² for 1½- or two-storey dwellings. [1]

Minimum dwelling size: R1 and other residential zones: 1 storey 83.5 m²; 1½ storey 60.0 m²; 2 storey 60.0 m² (s.4.2.2) [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. [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 · Hearst’s term: “mobile home / trailer / garden suite”

Mobile homes may only be installed in a mobile home park, a subdivision zoned and planned for them, or the Rural (RU) zone, where a permanently installed mobile home is allowed under specific conditions. A trailer may not be used for living or sleeping for more than 60 days in any 10 months outside a tent and trailer park or mobile home park. Temporary garden suites may be approved by by-law for up to 20 years. [1]

Where allowed: Mobile homes only within a mobile home park, a subdivision zoned and planned for such use, or a Rural (RU) zone (s.4.1.10); RU permits a permanent single detached dwelling or permanently installed mobile home only in listed circumstances (s.9.1.3) [1]
Where allowed: No trailer used for accommodation for living, sleeping or eating for more than 60 days in any 10 consecutive months unless in a tent and trailer park or mobile home park (Trailers section) [1]
Temporary garden suite: Permitted as a temporary use by by-law in any zone permitting a single detached dwelling, for up to 20 years with 3-year extensions; rear or side yard, 1.5 m from rear/interior side lines (s.4.1.7) [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 · Hearst’s term: “accessory building”

The by-law does not provide for sleeping cabins or bunkies, and the use of any accessory building or structure for human habitation is not permitted except for an additional residential unit. [1]

Where allowed: Except as otherwise provided, the use of any accessory building or structure for human habitation is not permitted (s.3.1.5; s.4.1.1.7) [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 PDF's cover says 'FINAL November 2019' with no stated consolidation date. It was uploaded in August 2024 and includes margin-marked By-law 18-24 amendments (ARUs, garden suites, accessory habitation), so it is at least partly updated. Whether other amendments are consolidated is unknown, which is why bylawConsolidation is null. The Rural Residential (RR) zone permits only existing dwellings. The PDF is linked from the town's planning page.

Sources

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