Pelee zoning for small homes

Township of Pelee, a single-tier municipality. Population 230 (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.

Needs approval · Pelee’s term: “additional dwelling unit”

The by-law defines an additional dwelling unit, including a secondary detached unit on the same lot, but the Residential and Agricultural zones do not list it as a permitted use. It is permitted only in site-specific exception zones created by amendment (for example R1-9 and A-5).

Number allowed: Unless otherwise stated in the zone, no lot used for residential purposes may be occupied by more than one main building (s.3.25) [1]
Maximum size: In the R1-9 exception: gross floor area no more than 50% of the single detached dwelling (site-specific only) [1]
Approvals: Permitted uses in the R1 and R2 zones are a single detached dwelling and a home occupation only; additional dwelling units appear only in site-specific exceptions (e.g. R1-9, added by By-law 2024-35 and amended by 2025-20; A-5, added by By-law 2024-19) [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 with limits · Pelee’s term: “single detached dwelling”

Section 3.17 sets a minimum dwelling unit floor area of 65 m² for a single detached dwelling in all zones.

Minimum dwelling size: 65 m² (700 sq ft) per dwelling unit for a single detached dwelling (s.3.17) [1]
Minimum lot size: R1: 2,000 m² (21,529 sq ft); R2: 1,000 m² (10,764 sq ft) [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.

Needs approval · Pelee’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle”

Mobile homes are prohibited in the Township except where a temporary use by-law under s.39 of the Planning Act permits them for a set period. No vehicle may be used for human habitation, except a recreational vehicle in a permitted campground or one licensed under a trailer licensing by-law.

Where allowed: No truck, transport trailer, bus, coach or other vehicle may be used for human habitation, except a recreational vehicle in a permitted campground or with a valid municipal licence under a trailer licensing by-law (s.3.36, as amended by By-law 2015-23) [1]
Temporary garden suite: No garden suite provision; site-specific temporary use by-laws have permitted one CAN/CSA-certified recreational vehicle for human habitation for a fixed period (e.g. A-10, By-law 2026-64, expiring December 7, 2026) [1]
Approvals: Mobile homes prohibited except where a temporary use by-law under s.39 of the Planning Act has been adopted (s.3.22) [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.

Not allowed · Pelee’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless a dwelling unit is listed as a permitted accessory use, and the by-law has no guest cabin or bunkie provision for residential or agricultural zones.

Approvals: Accessory uses, buildings or structures shall not be used for human habitation, except where a dwelling unit is listed as a permitted accessory use (s.3.1 a) [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

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

Read the consolidated text (pages marked 'Updated 10-09-26'), which includes amendments to By-law 2026-64. The text cites a trailer licensing by-law under the Municipal Act; it was not reviewed. The by-law has no garden suite provision.

Sources

Not legal advice

Confirm with your municipality before you buy, build or move in.

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