Nipissing zoning for small homes
Township of Nipissing, a single-tier municipality. Population 1,769 (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 · Nipissing’s term: “secondary dwelling unit within an accessory building”
One secondary dwelling unit in an accessory building is permitted in the Hamlet Residential (RH), Estate Residential (RE) and Rural (RU) zones on lots of at least 0.8 ha with an existing dwelling. It is not permitted in the Shoreline Residential or Limited Service Residential zones. Ontario's Planning Act (s. 35.1) overrides zoning provisions that would prohibit one unit in a building ancillary to a house on serviced urban land. [1]
- Maximum size
- 56.0 m² of floor area [2]
- Minimum lot size
- 0.8 hectares [2]
- Number allowed
- One secondary dwelling unit within an accessory building per lot, on a lot that contains an existing dwelling unit [2]
- Where allowed
- RH, RE and RU zones; the accessory building must be in the interior side yard or rear yard [2]
- Setbacks
- The accessory building must meet the minimum yard requirements for the principal building in the zone [2]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings: 4.5 m in any Residential zone; 6.5 m on Rural lots under 5 ha; 11 m on Rural lots over 5 ha [2]
- Parking
- One additional dedicated parking space [2]
- Servicing
- The appropriate authority must approve the private sewage disposal system for the total sewage flow on the lot [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. [1][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 · Nipissing’s term: “single unit dwelling”
The zone requirements table (Schedule B) for the residential and rural zones sets lot, coverage, yard and height standards but no minimum dwelling floor area. The only minimum floor area found (80 m²) applies to a dwelling unit in a non-residential building.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None set for single unit dwellings in the SR, LSR, RH, RE or RU zones (Schedule B) [2]
- Minimum lot size
- 0.4 ha (RH); 0.8 ha (SR, LSR, RE, RU); minimum frontage 60 m [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. [1][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.
Not allowed · Nipissing’s term: “recreational vehicle / mobile home / travel trailer”
Section 3.33 prohibits using a recreational vehicle or mobile home for human habitation except in a zone that specifically permits it, and no zone permits mobile homes or mobile home parks. As amended by By-law 2022-23, travel and tent trailers may be used for recreational purposes only in the SR, LSR and RU zones, subject to conditions and a Township licence. [11]
- Where allowed
- Travel/tent trailers for recreational purposes in the SR, LSR and RU zones: minimum lot area 1 acre, at least 30 m from the shoreline of a waterbody or watercourse, not on an island, and with the applicable Township licences (By-law 2022-23) [12]
- Approvals
- Trailer parks, mobile home parks and camping establishments are prohibited unless specifically permitted; camping establishments are listed in the C2 and C3 commercial zones [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. [10][5][1][7][6]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not allowed · Nipissing’s term: “accessory building”
Section 3.3(a) states that no accessory building or structure may be used for human habitation unless otherwise permitted by the by-law, and no sleeping-cabin or bunkie provision was found. The only habitable accessory building permitted is a full secondary dwelling unit in the RH, RE and RU zones.
- Where allowed
- Not permitted as sleeping space in an accessory building; tourist cabins are a commercial use in the C3 zone only [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. [7][5][1][13]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Planning Act (Ontario e-Laws)
- Zoning By-law 2020-20
- 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)
- Township of Nipissing web page (nipissingtownship.com)
- Township of Nipissing PDF (nipissingtownship.com)
- Building Code updates (Government of Ontario)
Not legal advice
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