South Algonquin zoning for small homes

Township of South Algonquin, a single-tier municipality. Population 1,055 (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 · South Algonquin’s term: “additional residential unit (ARU) in an accessory structure”

ARUs, including one in an accessory structure, are permitted in the RU, R1, R2 and SR zones under s. 4.2.3 (added by By-law 2024-801), with up to 3 per property. Conditions include year-round public road frontage, a principal (not seasonal) residence, the zone's minimum lot area, no location within 30 m of water, and a hydrogeological assessment on lots under 0.8 ha. [1]

Where allowed: Rural (RU), Settlement Area Residential (R1), Settlement Area Shoreline Residential (R2) and Shoreline Residential (SR) zones; not on private roads, EP lands or hazard lands [2]
Number allowed: Maximum of three ARUs per property; up to two within the existing dwelling; an ARU may be in an accessory structure [2]
Maximum size: ARU footprint may not exceed the total footprint of the principal residential use [2]
Maximum height: ARUs within an accessory structure: maximum 6 m (19.7 ft) [2]
Parking: One additional parking space per ARU [2]
Servicing: May connect to existing well and septic if capacity is shown at building permit, or have its own private well and septic; hydrogeological assessment required on lots less than 0.8 ha (2.00 ac) [2]
Setbacks: ARU and its septic system not permitted within the 30 m setback from water [2]
Minimum lot size: Must meet the zone's minimum lot area and frontage, with frontage on an opened, year-round maintained public road [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 · South Algonquin’s term: “single detached dwelling”

The consolidated by-law sets no minimum dwelling floor area in the residential or rural zones. Zone lot area, frontage, yard and coverage standards apply. [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.

Not allowed · South Algonquin’s term: “recreational vehicle / mobile home / travel trailer”

Section 4.24 prohibits using a recreational vehicle, mobile home or travel trailer for human habitation except in a zone that specifically permits it. Only site-specific exception zones (R1-2, RU-4, RU-5) permit mobile homes, and there is no general mobile home park zone. A travel trailer may be used for accommodation only while the principal dwelling is under construction.

Where allowed: Mobile homes only in site-specific exception zones R1-2, RU-4 and RU-5 [2]
Approvals: Travel trailer permitted for accommodation while construction of a principal dwelling is underway (s. 4.4) [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 · South Algonquin’s term: “guest cabin”

One guest cabin with no kitchen is permitted as an accessory use on lots in all Shoreline Residential (SR) zones and the LSR zone. It is not listed for the Rural zone, and other accessory buildings may not be used as habitable rooms.

Where allowed: All SR zones and the LSR zone [2]
Maximum size: 45 square metres including all decks and balconies [2]
Maximum height: 4.5 metres; one storey [2]
Number allowed: One guest cabin per lot (only one guest cabin or one 1.5-storey detached garage per lot) [2]
Kitchen: A guest cabin shall not include a kitchen [2]
Setbacks: Must meet all required yards for the residential dwelling [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

The consolidation is stated 'as of April 6, 2026' on its cover. A new comprehensive zoning by-law is in progress (https://www.southalgonquin.ca/comprehensive-zoning-by-law-review-and-amendment/): the FINAL draft went to Council on October 7, 2026, and is scheduled for Council consideration on November 4, 2026. If it is enacted, all answers should be rechecked. The older s. 4.2.2 secondary dwelling unit rules (1 ha in R1 or 1.2 ha elsewhere for units in accessory buildings, 40% GFA cap) remain in the consolidation. The ARU section 4.2.3 applies 'notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary'. 'Guest Cabin' is defined in s.10 as a 'dwelling unit ... which contains no kitchen'.

Sources

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