Kirkland Lake zoning for small homes
Town of Kirkland Lake, a single-tier municipality. Population 7,750 (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 · Kirkland Lake’s term: “additional residential unit / accessory dwelling unit; garden suite”
The by-law permits one accessory dwelling unit in a building accessory to a single detached, semi-detached or triplex dwelling, in addition to one unit within the dwelling, subject to the general provisions for accessory buildings. [1][2]
- Number allowed
- 1 additional unit in the dwelling and 1 accessory dwelling unit in an accessory building (s. 7.2, Additional Dwelling Units) [1]
- Maximum height
- 5.0 m for accessory structures (s. 7.2 table) [1]
- Setbacks
- Accessory structures in R1, R2 and RMH zones: 0.6 m rear and interior side yard; front and exterior side yards same as principal building (s. 7.2 table) [1]
- Separation from house
- 1.2 m minimum from the principal building; garden suites also 1.2 m (s. 7.2) [1]
- Maximum size
- Accessory buildings limited to 10% lot coverage in R1, R2 and RMH zones; a garden suite may not exceed 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling (s. 7.2) [1]
- Parking
- 1 space per accessory dwelling unit or garden suite (s. 7.2) [1]
- Servicing
- Permitted on private services if the sewage and water systems can be shown to accommodate the change (s. 7.2) [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. [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 · Kirkland Lake’s term: “tiny home / single detached dwelling”
The by-law defines a tiny home (17.5 to 37 m²) as a single detached dwelling unless it is on wheels. No minimum dwelling floor area is set in the residential or rural zone provisions. [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- No minimum dwelling floor area in the R1, RA, RR or RS zone provisions; 'Tiny Home' is defined as a self-contained dwelling unit between 17.5 m² and 37 m² and is considered a single detached dwelling (s. 5.60) [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.
Allowed with limits · Kirkland Lake’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle”
A tiny home on wheels is treated as a mobile home, and mobile homes are permitted only in the Residential Mobile Home (RMH) zone and in mobile home parks in the Rural (RA) zone. Recreational vehicles may not be used as habitable space, except one RV for camping in the RA zone. [1]
- Where allowed
- Mobile homes only in the Residential Mobile Home (RMH) zone (s. 9.4, 13.2); in the Rural (RA) zone only within a mobile home park (s. 27.2). A tiny home on wheels is considered a mobile home (s. 5.60) [1]
- Approvals
- No recreational vehicle may be used as habitable space other than 1 RV used for camping in the RA zone; no recreational trailer may be used as a permanent building (s. 7.2) [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 · Kirkland Lake’s term: “accessory building”
The by-law has no sleeping cabin or bunkie provision, and accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use. A detached accessory dwelling unit under the additional dwelling unit rules is the permitted form of habitable accessory building. [1]
- Kitchen
- Accessory buildings shall not be used for human habitation except where a dwelling is a permitted accessory use (s. 7.2(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
- Zoning By-law 21-032
- Town of Kirkland Lake web page (kirklandlake.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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