Stratford zoning for small homes
City of Stratford, a single-tier municipality. Population 33,232 (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 · Stratford’s term: “additional residential unit (ARU) in an accessory building”
The City's ARU pamphlet says up to 3 units per lot are generally permitted in residential zones, including 1 ARU in an accessory building, where the property has municipal water and sanitary sewers and zoning standards (setbacks, height, floor area) can be met. The detailed ARU zoning standards from the City's recent amendment were not available to confirm. [1][2]
- Number allowed
- Maximum 1 ARU in an accessory building; maximum 3 dwelling units per lot [2]
- Servicing
- Property must be serviced by municipal water and sanitary sewers [1]
- Parking
- 1 parking space per ARU [1]
- Approvals
- Building permit from the City's Building Division and an Electrical Safety Authority permit; a separate unit address is assigned [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. [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 · Stratford’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The residential zone regulations (Tables 6.4.1-6.4.5) in the posted by-law set lot, yard and coverage standards but no minimum dwelling floor area for single detached dwellings. [6]
- Minimum dwelling size
- No minimum dwelling floor area in the residential zone tables of the January 2022 by-law text [6]
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][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 · Stratford’s term: “travel trailer / recreational vehicle”
The by-law defines travel trailers to include mobile homes, park models and recreational vehicles, even when fixed to a foundation, and no zone in the main by-law text lists a trailer park as a permitted use. In residential zones no trailer or recreational vehicle may be used for living or sleeping for more than 15 consecutive days, and only on a lot with a dwelling unit. [6][1]
- Where allowed
- No zone in Sections 6-14 of the posted text permits a trailer park (defined as permanent placement of travel trailers) [6]
- Definition
- Travel trailer definition includes recreational vehicles, mobile homes, park models or campers, including ones permanently fixed to a foundation (s.3) [6]
- Temporary garden suite
- The January 2022 text allowed a garden suite only through a site-specific temporary zoning by-law amendment (s.4.10); the City's 2026 ARU pamphlet says ARUs have since replaced garden suites [6]
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][3][9][8]
Bunkie or sleeping cabin
A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.
Not allowed · Stratford’s term: “accessory building / accessory guest room”
Accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation unless the by-law permits it. The only exception for sleeping rooms in accessory buildings is for bed and breakfasts on Ontario, Huron and Erie Streets. [6]
- Where allowed
- Accessory guest rooms in an existing accessory building are permitted only with a bed and breakfast on Ontario Street, Huron Street or Erie Street (s.4.3.5) [6]
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][3][13]
Official links
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- Stratford’s guide to additional units
- City of Stratford web page (stratford.ca)
- Planning Act (Ontario e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 299/19: Additional residential units (Ontario e-Laws)
- Development Charges Act, 1997 (Ontario e-Laws)
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 10-2022
- 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)
- Building Code updates (Government of Ontario)
Not legal advice
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