Selwyn zoning for small homes

Township of Selwyn, in the County of Peterborough. Population 18,653 (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 · Selwyn’s term: “second unit (in an accessory building)”

One second unit is permitted per single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling, either inside the house or in an accessory building, in zones listing second units (A, RU, R1, R2, RR). Detached second units are not permitted in the Lakeshore Residential (LR) zone or on lots without frontage on a municipally maintained road. [1]

Maximum size: 40% of the principal dwelling's footprint in R1, R2 and RR; 60% in A and RU (s.3.41.g.vi–vii) [2]
Maximum height: Not higher than the principal structure; one storey in R1 and R2; above a detached garage in A, RU or RR, 2 storeys or 8 m for the whole structure (s.3.41.g.iii–v) [2]
Setbacks: Not in the front or exterior side yard; must meet the zone's residential regulations (s.3.41.g.ii, viii) [2]
Separation from house: No more than 30 m from the principal dwelling (s.3.41.g.i) [2]
Number allowed: One second unit per dwelling, inside the house or in an accessory building, not both; no garden suite, B&B or group home on the same lot (s.3.41.a–c) [2]
Parking: 1 off-street space in addition to the dwelling's requirement (s.3.41.f) [2]
Servicing: In serviced areas, must connect to municipal water and sewer through the existing dwelling (s.3.41.g.xi) [2]
Approvals: Must be registered with the Township; not in the form of a mobile home; no basement (s.3.41.g.ix–x, j) [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.

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

Zone regulations set a minimum dwelling unit area for single detached dwellings: 92 m² in R1, 110 m² in RR, A and RU, and a 100 m² minimum floor area in LR.

Minimum dwelling size: R1 (Residential Type One): 92 sq. m (s.4.9.3, 4.9.4) [2]
Minimum dwelling size: Rural Residential (RR), Agriculture (A) and Rural (RU): 110 sq. m (s.4.12.3, 4.7.3, 4.8.3) [2]
Minimum dwelling size: Lakeshore Residential (LR): 100 sq. m floor area, 60 sq. m first storey (s.4.13.3) [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.

Needs approval · Selwyn’s term: “garden suite / recreational trailer / mobile home”

Recreational vehicles and trailers may not be used for human habitation except in the Recreational Commercial (RC) zone, where trailer parks are seasonal (May to October). Mobile home parks are prohibited unless specifically permitted, and a 'dwelling unit' excludes trailers and mobile homes. A portable garden suite needs a site-specific temporary use by-law under s.39.1 of the Planning Act.

Temporary garden suite: Permitted only by site-specific Temporary Use By-law under Planning Act s.39.1; one per lot with a single or semi-detached dwelling; max height 4.5 m; rear yard; rear setback 2.3 m; max floor area 65% of the principal building's gross floor area; no additional driveway; owner agreement may be required (s.3.12, 3.12.1) [2]
Where allowed: Recreational vehicles/trailers may not be used for human habitation except in the RC zone (s.3.32.1.b); recreational trailer parks are occupied May through October only (definition) [2]
Approvals: Establishment of mobile home parks prohibited unless specifically permitted (s.3.25) [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. [11][6][3][8][7]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

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

Allowed with limits · Selwyn’s term: “sleeping cabin (bunkie)”

One sleeping cabin, with no cooking or sanitary facilities, is permitted per lot in the Lakeshore Residential (LR) zone. Elsewhere, accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless specifically permitted.

Where allowed: Lakeshore Residential (LR) zone (s.4.13.5) [2]
Number allowed: One per lot (s.4.13.5) [2]
Maximum size: 47 sq. m floor area (s.4.13.5.v) [2]
Maximum height: 6 m (s.4.13.5.iv) [2]
Setbacks: Front yard 21.5 m; rear yard 7.5 m; side yard 6 m; high water mark setbacks of s.3.15 also apply (s.4.13.5, 4.13.6) [2]
Kitchen: No meal-preparation or sanitary facilities (s.4.13.5) [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. [8][6][3][12]

Official links

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

Office consolidation up to By-law 2026-005 (Feb 2026). Section 3.41 still allows only one second unit per dwelling; Planning Act s.35.1 may permit more on serviced lots (not verified here). A lot with a garden suite or sleeping cabin cannot also have a second unit (s.3.41.k.iii). Site-specific exceptions (e.g. LR-613) vary these rules. No official ARU guide was found.

Sources

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