Mapleton zoning for small homes

Township of Mapleton, in the County of Wellington. Population 10,839 (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 · Mapleton’s term: “Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached)”

In any zone where a single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling is permitted, one Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached) is permitted on the lot, subject to the accessory structure provisions and confirmation of adequate water and sewer servicing.

Number allowed: One Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached) per lot (s. 6.29.2 a) [1]
Maximum height: Accessory buildings in residential zones max 4.57 m (15 ft) (s. 6.1.3 a); 6.7 m (22 ft) on reduced agricultural lots under s. 8.5 (s. 6.1.3 b) [1]
Maximum size: Must meet accessory structure provisions (s. 6.29.2 c): all accessory buildings max 10% lot coverage; combined floor area in residential zones max 185.8 m² (2,000 ft²) on lots of 0.4 ha or less (s. 6.1.4) [1]
Setbacks: Residential zones: rear or interior side yard, not closer than 1.0 m (3.3 ft) to interior or rear lot line or any other building (s. 6.1.2 b) [1]
Separation from house: Within 100.0 m of the primary dwelling or within the existing farm cluster (s. 6.29.2 g) [1]
Parking: 1 parking space for the sole use of the occupant; single shared driveway access (s. 6.29.2 d, e) [1]
Servicing: Permitted subject to the Township's satisfaction that water and sewer service can accommodate the unit (s. 6.29.2 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 · Mapleton’s term: “single detached residential dwelling”

The Agricultural, R1A, R1B and R1C zone regulations set lot, yard, height and coverage standards but no minimum floor area for a single detached dwelling. Single-detached does not include a mobile home or modular unit unless otherwise provided.

Minimum dwelling size: None stated in the A (s. 8.2), R1A (s. 9.2), R1B (s. 10.2) or R1C (s. 11.2) zone regulations [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 · Mapleton’s term: “mobile home / recreational trailer”

Using a mobile home as a dwelling, or a trailer or motor home for habitation other than temporary accommodation in a permitted trailer park or campground, is prohibited unless a zone permits it; mobile homes appear only in a site-specific exception for an existing mobile home park in Drayton. A temporary garden suite, which may be a mobile home in the Agricultural zone, requires a temporary use by-law.

Where allowed: Restricted in all zones: 'A mobile home used as a dwelling unit' and 'A trailer or motor home used for human habitation other than for temporary accommodation in a permitted trailer park or campground' (s. 6.35.2); mobile homes prohibited unless listed as a permitted use in a zone (s. 6.18); existing mobile home park at 84 Wellington St S, Drayton (exception 31.152) [1]
Temporary garden suite: Permitted in the Agricultural and R1A zones only through a temporary use by-law under Planning Act s. 39; max 92.9 m² (1,000 ft²), one storey or 4.5 m; portable/prefabricated/modular, not a mobile home, except mobile homes may be garden suites in the Agricultural zone (s. 6.12) [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 · Mapleton’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings are defined as not used for human habitation unless permitted by specific zone provisions, such as a detached additional dwelling unit; the by-law has no provision for a sleeping cabin or bunkie.

Where allowed: 'ACCESSORY ... which is not used or intended for use as human habitation unless permitted by the provisions of certain Zones of this By-law, such as an additional dwelling unit detached as permitted under section 6.29' (s. 2 Definitions); accessory uses shall not include an accessory dwelling unit except as specifically permitted (s. 6.1.1 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

Read the June 2026 consolidation. The amendment list includes By-law 2025-013 (site-specific, 'to permit healing business and tiny homes'). The OS2 Conestogo Lake zone permits seasonal dwelling units; accessory structures there follow R1A rules. No official ARU guide found. Zoning schedules are posted separately on the Township zoning page.

Sources

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