Port Colborne zoning for small homes
City of Port Colborne, in the Region of Niagara. Population 20,033 (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 · Port Colborne’s term: “additional dwelling unit (ADU), detached”
By-law 7393/84/25 (passed 14 October 2025) permits additional dwelling units, including detached ones, with single detached, semi-detached, duplex and townhouse dwellings. Up to four units per lot are allowed in the urban area, three in hamlet and rural areas and two in agricultural areas. [1]
- Number allowed
- Up to four units per lot in urban areas, three in hamlet/rural areas, two in agricultural areas (By-law 7393/84/25 notice of passing) [2]
- Maximum size
- 45% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling (By-law 7393/84/25 notice of passing) [2]
- Parking
- One space per ADU, stacking permitted (By-law 7393/84/25 notice of passing) [2]
- Minimum lot size
- 0.4 hectares where the parcel is not serviced by municipal sewer and/or water (s.2.9.1 a ii of the 2021 consolidation; retained in the September 2025 draft amendment) [3]
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. [4][5][6]
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 · Port Colborne’s term: “dwelling, detached”
The R1, Rural Residential, Lakeshore Residential, Hamlet Residential, Agricultural Residential and Agricultural zone requirements set no minimum floor area for a detached dwelling.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None set in the zone requirements for detached dwellings in the R1 (s.5.3), RR (s.10.3), LR (s.11.3), HR (s.12.3), AR (s.16.3) or A (s.17.3) zones [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. [4][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Tiny home on wheels or park model
Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.
Not allowed · Port Colborne’s term: “mobile home / trailer”
Mobile home parks and trailer parks are listed as uses prohibited in all zones. A mobile home, motor home or trailer may be used only for temporary accommodation after a dwelling is destroyed, or during renovation or construction, under a development agreement.
- Where allowed
- Temporary accommodation of residents in a mobile home, motor home or trailer after destruction of a dwelling (max. 18 months) or during renovation or construction of a new dwelling, subject to a development agreement with the City (s.2.4 b, c) [3]
- Approvals
- Uses prohibited in all zones include Mobile Home Park and Trailer Park (s.2.3 b, e) [3]
- Approvals
- No structure, whether or not on wheels, may be used for human habitation other than a dwelling unit, a mobile home, or a trailer or motor home used in accordance with the by-law (s.2.5) [3]
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. [12][7][4][9][8]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not allowed · Port Colborne’s term: “accessory building”
The by-law permits human habitation only in a dwelling unit, a mobile home, or a trailer or motor home used in accordance with the by-law. No bunkie or sleeping cabin provision was found. [13]
- Maximum height
- Accessory buildings max. 6 m (s.2.8.1 a ii) [3]
- Approvals
- No structure of any kind 'shall be used for human habitation other than a dwelling unit, a mobile home, or a trailer or motor home used in accordance with this By-law' (s.2.5) [3]
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. [9][7][4][14]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- City of Port Colborne PDF (portcolborne.ca)
- City of Port Colborne PDF (portcolborne.ca)
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 6575/30/18
- 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)
- City of Port Colborne PDF (portcolborne.ca)
- Building Code updates (Government of Ontario)
Not legal advice
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