McMurrich/Monteith zoning for small homes
Township of McMurrich/Monteith, a single-tier municipality. Population 907 (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 · McMurrich/Monteith’s term: “secondary dwelling”
A secondary dwelling (a detached or attached accessory dwelling with a single detached dwelling) is a permitted accessory use in the Settlement Residential (RS) zone and, on lots over 1 hectare, in the Rural (RU) zone; it is not listed in the Waterfront Residential (WR) zone. The by-law sets no separate size limit for it beyond the zone's lot regulations.
- Where allowed
- Settlement Residential (RS) and Rural (RU) zones (Table 4, 'Dwelling, Secondary'); not permitted in Waterfront Residential (WR) [1]
- Minimum lot size
- In the RU zone, only on a lot greater than 1 hectare (2.5 acres) (Table 4 note 9) [1]
- Number allowed
- Maximum 2 dwelling units per lot in RS and RU (residential) where one is a secondary dwelling; 1 in WR (Table 5) [1]
- Parking
- 2 parking spaces for each dwelling (Table 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. [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 · McMurrich/Monteith’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The minimum dwelling unit area in the WR, RS and RU zones is 19.0 m² (204.5 sq ft), so the by-law does not set a minimum above 37 m² for a single detached dwelling. Lot size, frontage and setback rules of each zone still apply.
- Minimum dwelling size
- 19.0 m² (204.5 sq ft) dwelling unit area in WR, RS and RU zones (Table 5, as modified by By-law 44-2025) [1]
- Minimum lot size
- WR 4,000 m²; RS 2,000 m²; RU residential 1 ha (Table 5) [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 · McMurrich/Monteith’s term: “trailer / mobile home”
Using a trailer (including recreational and park model-type trailers) for permanent or temporary human habitation is prohibited except during construction of a dwelling, temporarily on a vacant RU/WR lot under a Township trailer licence, or for occasional guests where a house exists. A mobile home may be used as a dwelling in the RS and RU zones only if built to CSA Z240 or Z241, placed on a permanent foundation with running gear removed, and at least 60 m² in ground floor area.
- Where allowed
- Mobile home permitted as a principal use in Settlement Residential (RS) and Rural (RU) zones (Table 4) [1]
- Minimum dwelling size
- Mobile home: at least 60 m² (646 sq ft) of ground floor area, enclosed to grade, on permanent foundations, CSA Z240 or Z241, fully serviced (s.3.14) [1]
- Where allowed
- Mobile home parks are prohibited in any zone unless specifically recognized in s.4.5 (s.3.15) [1]
- Approvals
- Trailers for temporary habitation require a licence under the Township's Trailer Licensing By-law; maximum one trailer (s.3.32) [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.
Allowed · McMurrich/Monteith’s term: “guest cabin”
One guest cabin (no cooking facilities, single storey, no monetary gain) is permitted on a lot in the Rural (RU) or Waterfront Residential (WR) zone. A guest cabin may also be located in a detached garage.
- Where allowed
- Rural (RU) and Waterfront Residential (WR) zones (s.3.1.12) [1]
- Maximum size
- 50 m² (538 sq ft) or less (s.3.1.12) [1]
- Maximum height
- One storey (s.3.1.12) [1]
- Number allowed
- Maximum one guest cabin per lot (s.3.1.12) [1]
- Kitchen
- No cooking facilities (s.3.1.12) [1]
- Setbacks
- Must comply with all setbacks that apply to the principal building on the lot (s.3.1.12) [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
- Township of McMurrich/Monteith website
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 16-2016 (Consolidation to October 28, 2025)
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 16-2016 (Consolidation to October 28, 2025)
- 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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