Mattice-Val Côté zoning for small homes

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 · Mattice-Val Côté’s term: “secondary dwelling unit (in an accessory building)”

A secondary dwelling unit is permitted in a single detached, semi-detached or row house dwelling, or in a building accessory to it, in any zone where that dwelling is permitted. One secondary unit is allowed per principal dwelling unit. [1]

Where allowed: Any zone where single detached, semi-detached or row house dwellings are permitted; not in a dwelling that is a non-conforming use (s.3.18) [2]
Number allowed: One secondary dwelling unit per principal dwelling unit (s.3.18) [2]
Maximum height: Accessory building containing a secondary unit: 8 m (s.3.18 a.) [2]
Parking: 1 parking space per secondary dwelling unit (s.3.14) [2]
Temporary garden suite: Garden suites permitted with a single detached dwelling only through a temporary use by-law, for up to 20 years with 3-year extensions; rear or side yard; 1.5 m from rear/interior side lot lines (s.3.6) [2]

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 · Mattice-Val Côté’s term: “single detached dwelling”

The General Residential (R1) and Rural (RU) zones set no minimum dwelling floor area. The Multiple Residential (R2) zone requires 55 m2 per dwelling unit, and in the Rural zone a permanent dwelling is allowed only in listed circumstances.

Minimum dwelling size: No minimum in the R1 zone table (s.4.2.2) or RU zone table (s.10.1.2); 55 m2 per dwelling unit in the R2 zone (s.4.3.2) [2]
Where allowed: RU zone: a permanent single detached dwelling or permanently installed mobile home only as ancillary to listed uses, on a patented lot fronting a year-round maintained road, where continuously occupied since 1980, or on a lot created by consent (s.10.1.3) [2]

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 · Mattice-Val Côté’s term: “permanently installed mobile home / trailer / recreational vehicle”

A permanently installed mobile home (running gear removed, on a foundation, connected to services) may be a permanent dwelling in the Rural zone in listed circumstances. Trailers and recreational vehicles may not be lived in for more than 90 days in any 12 months unless in a tent and trailer park.

Where allowed: Permanently installed mobile home permitted in the RU zone under the conditions in s.10.1.3; definition of permanently installed mobile home in Definitions [2]
Temporary garden suite: Garden suites by temporary use by-law, up to 20 years (s.3.6) [2]
Approvals: No trailer or recreational vehicle used for living, sleeping or eating for more than 90 days in any 12 consecutive months unless in a tent and trailer park (s.3.26) [2]

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 · Mattice-Val Côté’s term: “accessory building”

Human habitation is not permitted in any domestic garage or other accessory building except as a secondary dwelling unit, and the by-law has no sleep cabin or bunkie provision.

Where allowed: Human habitation not permitted in any accessory building except under the Secondary Dwelling Units section (s.3.12) [2]
Maximum height: Accessory buildings in residential zones: one storey, maximum finished ceiling height 3.96 m (s.3.1 d.) [2]

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

On a plain retry the site loaded normally (no CAPTCHA). The 'Zonage et plan officiel' page (https://www.matticevalcote.ca/zonage-et-plan-officiel) says the most recent zoning by-law was adopted November 26, 2019 and links 'Règlement 837' (English text PDF, WSP, 'Final - Council adoption November 26, 2019'). No consolidation or amendment list is posted, so later amendments (if any) are not reflected. Section 3.22 requires a shoreline capacity study before residential intensification within 300 m of Shallow Lake.

Sources

Suggest a correction or source

Know of a by-law change, an exception or an official page we missed? Tell us. An editor checks every suggestion before the page changes.

Mattice-Val Côté zoning for small homes

Backyard suite

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on a foundation

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Ontario-wide rule

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

Ontario-wide rule

Official links

Sources

Suggest a correction or source

Find help nearby