LaSalle zoning for small homes
Town of LaSalle, in the County of Essex. Population 32,721 (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 · LaSalle’s term: “additional residential unit (detached)”
One detached additional residential unit is permitted with a single detached, semi-detached, duplex or street townhouse dwelling, provided both buildings connect to full municipal sanitary sewer and water and no more than one attached ARU is on the lot. The unit must sit on a permanent footing or foundation. [1]
- Maximum size
- 100 m² gross floor area, or no greater than the main dwelling, whichever is smaller (s.3.1 j) [1]
- Maximum height
- 6.5 metres for an accessory building containing an ARU (s.3.1 h) [1]
- Setbacks
- Urban area: 1.5 m from rear and interior side lot lines, 3.0 m from exterior side lot line; 0.6 m from a rear laneway only where the unit is above an at-grade garage (s.3.1 h) [1]
- Number allowed
- One detached ARU; not permitted where two ARUs exist or are proposed on the lot (s.3.1 j) [1]
- Parking
- Maximum of 1.0 parking space required for all ARUs per lot (parking table, s.3) [1]
- Servicing
- Primary dwelling and detached ARU must connect to full municipal sanitary sewer and water services (s.3.1 j iv) [1]
- Approvals
- Must have direct pedestrian access from a public street or laneway; may not be severed from the lot (s.3.1 j) [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 · LaSalle’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The residential and rural zone regulations set no minimum floor area for a single detached dwelling. The only minimum floor areas in the by-law apply to farm help accommodation in the Agriculture zone. [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- None for single detached dwellings in residential or rural zones [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.
Not allowed · LaSalle’s term: “recreational vehicle / mobile home”
Section 3.19 states that no truck, bus, coach, other motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, tent or shipping container shall be used as a dwelling unit except a mobile home or trailer where specifically permitted. The by-law permits a mobile home only as farm help accommodation on a full-time operating farm in the Agriculture (A) zone, and no zone permits mobile home or trailer parks. [1]
- Where allowed
- Only as farm help accommodation in the Agriculture (A) zone on a full-time operating farm: mobile home min. 28 m² or 8 m² per resident, max. two buildings/mobile homes per lot (s.3.1 m) [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 · LaSalle’s term: “accessory building”
Section 3.1 a) states that no accessory building or structure shall be used as a dwelling unit or part thereof, except an additional residential unit (detached) or help house. [1]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings 15 m² or less: 3.5 m. Larger: 4.5 m (R1–R3), 5.0 m (RR under 0.4 ha), 7.0 m (RR over 0.4 ha), 8.5 m (A) (s.3.1 e–f, Table 2) [1]
- Maximum size
- All accessory buildings together: max. 10% of lot area (s.3.1 b) [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
Sources
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 8600 (Office Consolidation)
- 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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