Morley zoning for small homes
Township of Morley, a single-tier municipality. Population 493 (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.
Not addressed · Morley’s term: “garden suite”
The Township of Morley has no zoning by-law, so no zoning rules address detached additional units; building permits under the Ontario Building Code and the Township's Official Plan govern. The Official Plan (2011) says garden suites are permitted under a temporary use by-law under the Planning Act.
- Temporary garden suite
- Official Plan s.2.7.3: garden suites permitted pursuant to the Planning Act in accordance with a temporary use by-law; an agreement with the Township may be required [1]
- Approvals
- Building permit under the Ontario Building Code; the Township states buildings and property use are regulated by its Official Plan [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.
Not addressed · Morley’s term: “dwelling”
With no zoning by-law, there is no zoning minimum dwelling floor area; the Ontario Building Code and the Official Plan apply.
- Minimum dwelling size
- No zoning by-law, so no zoning minimum [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.
Not addressed · Morley’s term: “mobile home”
No zoning by-law regulates trailers or mobile homes as dwellings; the Official Plan states that mobile home parks shall not be permitted. Building Code and any other Township by-laws still apply. [2]
- Where allowed
- Official Plan s.2.11.1: mobile home parks shall not be permitted [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 addressed · Morley’s term: “guest cabin”
No zoning by-law regulates sleeping cabins; the Official Plan says new or expanded guest cabins are not a permitted accessory use unless reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources. [2]
- Approvals
- Official Plan s.2.7.2: new or proposed expansions of guest cabins are not a permitted accessory unless reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources [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
- Township of Morley PDF (townshipofmorley.ca)
- Township of Morley web page (townshipofmorley.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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