South Dundas zoning for small homes

Municipality of South Dundas, in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Population 11,044 (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 · South Dundas’s term: “additional residential unit in an accessory building”

In any zone that permits a single detached, semi-detached or row house dwelling, one additional residential unit is permitted in an accessory building, subject to the general accessory-use provisions. A separate temporary 'garden suite' (for an elderly family member) requires a temporary use by-law.

Number allowed: One ARU within the dwelling and one ARU in an accessory building (s. 3.42 a) [1]
Maximum height: 6 m for accessory buildings (s. 3.1 a) [1]
Maximum size: All accessory buildings may not occupy more than 10% of lot area (s. 3.1 a) [1]
Setbacks: Not in a minimum front or exterior side yard; at least 1.5 m from interior side and rear lot lines (s. 3.1 a) [1]
Parking: 1 parking space for an additional residential unit (s. 3.27) [1]
Servicing: Private well: hydrogeology report required; private septic: terrain assessment required (s. 3.42 f, g) [1]
Approvals: Site Plan Control approval if the lot abuts a lake or watercourse or is designated wetland (s. 3.42 d) [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 · South Dundas’s term: “single detached dwelling”

Residential zones set minimum dwelling unit or floor areas for single detached dwellings. The Agricultural and Rural zone provisions for a single detached dwelling set no minimum floor area.

Minimum dwelling size: R1: 60.0 m²; R2, Residential Hamlet (RH) and Residential Rural (RR): 75 m²; Residential Waterfront (RW): 100 m²; Residential Estate (RE): 130 m² (s. 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 5.6, 5.8, 5.9) [1]
Where allowed: No minimum floor area in the Agricultural (A, s. 10.1) or Rural (RU, s. 11.1) zone provisions for a single detached dwelling [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.

Allowed with limits · South Dundas’s term: “mobile home; recreational vehicle; garden suite”

Human habitation is not permitted in any recreational vehicle (including park model trailers) or any trailer, and 'dwelling' excludes mobile homes. CSA Z240 mobile homes are permitted in the Residential Mobile Home (RMH) zone and as a secondary dwelling on a farm in the Agricultural and Rural zones; a portable garden suite may be established by temporary use by-law.

Where allowed: Mobile homes: RMH zone (s. 5.7); 'mobile home only as a secondary dwelling' in Agricultural (s. 10.1) and Rural (s. 11.1) zones [1]
Temporary garden suite: Established as a temporary use under s. 39 of the Planning Act; max 93 m² gross floor area, one storey/4.5 m, 3 m from main residence, one per lot, for an elderly family member (s. 3.11 and definition) [1]
Approvals: Human habitation not permitted in any truck, bus, recreational vehicle or any trailer (s. 3.23) [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 · South Dundas’s term: “accessory building”

Human habitation is not permitted in a private garage or any other building accessory to a residential use. The only exception is a full additional residential unit under s. 3.42.

Where allowed: 'Human habitation shall not be permitted in ... any private garage or other building which is accessory to a residential use' (s. 3.23 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

November 2022 office consolidation is the latest found on the municipal site; amendments since then (e.g. site-specific rezonings noticed in 2025-2026) are not included. The consolidation contains inline amendment text (e.g. ARU definition insertion, removal of accessory apartments) rather than clean text. No ARU guide page found.

Sources

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