Mulmur zoning for small homes

Township of Mulmur, in the County of Dufferin. Population 3,571 (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 · Mulmur’s term: “additional single dwelling (ASD) / detached additional single dwelling”

One detached additional single dwelling is permitted in the Countryside Area (A, lots 2 ha and over), Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER) and Recreational (RE) zones, subject to lot size, floor area and site plan agreement requirements; it is not permitted in the Hamlet Residential (HR) zone, which allows only an attached unit. [1][2]

Where allowed: Countryside Area (A) zone on parcels of 2.00 ha and over; Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER) and Recreational (RE) zones. Hamlet Residential (HR) permits only an attached additional dwelling unit (max 80 m²). [3]
Minimum lot size: 2.0 ha (s.3.3.2 i); the same section also states that where a lot has less than 8 ha, minimum lot size shall be 1.0 ha [4]
Maximum size: No more than 50% of the gross floor area of the principal single detached dwelling and no more than 110 m²; on lots under 8 ha, no more than 80 m²; also may not exceed accessory lot coverage limits in s.3.2.3 [4]
Separation from house: Located within 30 m of the principal dwelling [4]
Number allowed: Maximum of one detached additional single dwelling per lot (one farm worker housing unit may also be permitted where allowed) [4]
Servicing: Approved sewage disposal and water supply services must be available to the lot [4]
Approvals: Permitted only where there is a site plan agreement between the owner and Township covering buffering, servicing, separation distances and access [4]

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. [5][6][7]

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 with limits · Mulmur’s term: “single detached dwelling”

Unless otherwise specifically permitted, a dwelling unit must have a minimum floor area of 110 m², or 140 m² combined if more than one storey. [2]

Minimum dwelling size: 110 sq m; minimum combined 140 sq m if more than one storey (s.3.3.10, applies township-wide unless otherwise permitted) [3]

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. [5][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.

Allowed with limits · Mulmur’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle / travel trailer”

Using a recreational vehicle, travel trailer, motor home, mobile home or similar transportable unit for any residential purpose is prohibited except as permitted by the by-law; a mobile home may be used only as an additional single dwelling in an Agricultural zone that permits one, or as a temporary use under a temporary use by-law. There is no mobile home park zone. [3]

Where allowed: Mobile homes may only be used as a dwelling unit as an additional single dwelling (ASD) in an Agricultural zone that permits an ASD, or as a temporary use under a temporary use by-law with a removal agreement (s.3.3.6) [4]
Temporary garden suite: A garden suite or mobile home may be permitted as a temporary use in zones permitting a single detached dwelling, occupied by an immediate family member, with adequate sewage and water services, a removal agreement with the Township, and no existing detached additional dwelling unit on the lot (s.3.3.4); size wording in the posted text reads 'minimum maximum gross floor area of 8045 sq m; and a maximum of 75 sq m' [4]
Approvals: RVs, travel trailers and campers may be occupied temporarily by the owner while the principal dwelling is under construction, removed within nine months of building permit issuance (s.3.3.8) [4]

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. [13][8][5][10][9]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.

Allowed with limits · Mulmur’s term: “guest cabin (bunkie)”

The by-law defines a bunkie as a guest cabin and treats a guest cabin as an additional single dwelling, so it is allowed only where an additional single dwelling is permitted and counts as the lot's one additional single dwelling. [1]

Kitchen: Guest cabin may contain washroom facilities but does not contain facilities for cooking [3]
Where allowed: Same as an additional single dwelling: A zone (2 ha and over), RR, ER and RE zones; a guest cabin is considered an additional single dwelling regardless of whether bedroom, kitchen or bathroom facilities are installed [4]
Maximum size: Additional single dwelling limits apply: no more than 50% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area and no more than 110 m² (80 m² on lots under 8 ha) [4]
Number allowed: One additional single dwelling per lot [4]
Approvals: Site plan agreement with the Township required for an additional single dwelling [4]

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. [10][8][5][14]

Official links

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

The zoning page (https://mulmur.ca/build/zoning-by-law) now links a newer consolidation file (PDF created December 2025) and a separate 'section 3.3 second dwellings 2026' extract, replacing the June 2024 file in our inventory. Both still carry the cover 'Office Consolidation Date: May 3 2024' and page footers 'Consolidated March 2023', but the amendment list includes Housekeeping By-law 16-2024 and By-law 29-2025. Section 3.3 in these files contains apparent unresolved tracked edits flattened into the text (e.g. 'minimum maximum gross floor area of 8045 sq m; and a maximum of 75 sq m' for garden suites; both a 2.0 ha and a 1.0 ha minimum lot size for detached additional single dwellings); the PDF has no strike-through markup, so figures are quoted as printed and should be confirmed with staff. The by-law does not apply within the Niagara Escarpment Plan area (NEC development control applies there). The text of By-law 29-2025 itself could not be fetched (404).

Sources

Not legal advice

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