Temiskaming Shores zoning for small homes

City of Temiskaming Shores, a single-tier municipality. Population 9,634 (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 · Temiskaming Shores’s term: “second dwelling unit”

In the as-adopted by-law, one second dwelling unit is permitted as an accessory use in the R1, R2, R3, A1 and RU zones, either within the main dwelling or in the second storey of, or attached to, a detached private garage. A free-standing garden suite is not provided for. Ontario's Planning Act (s. 35.1) overrides zoning provisions that would prohibit one unit in a building ancillary to a house on serviced urban land. [1][2]

Where allowed: Rural Residential (R1), Low Density Residential (R2), Medium Density Residential (R3), Prime Agricultural (A1) and Rural (RU) zones (Tables 6.2 and 9.2); in the main dwelling or in the second storey of or attached to a detached private garage (s.4.16.2(a)) [1]
Number allowed: One second dwelling unit per lot (s.4.16.2(b)) [1]
Maximum size: Floor area not to exceed the gross floor area of the main dwelling unit (s.4.16.2(c)) [1]
Maximum height: Residential zones: accessory buildings 5 m; a garage with a second dwelling above it may be up to 8 m (Table 6.3, note *11) [1]
Parking: Minimum one space for the second unit, without requiring a separate driveway (s.4.16.2(e)) [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 · Temiskaming Shores’s term: “single detached dwelling”

The residential and rural zone tables set no minimum floor area for a single detached dwelling; minimum floor areas appear only in some site-specific exceptions. A modular dwelling must have a shortest side of at least 6.1 m. [1]

Minimum dwelling size: No minimum floor area in the R1, R2, R3, A1 or RU zone requirements (Tables 6.3 and 9.3); only site-specific exceptions set one [1]
Where allowed: Single detached dwellings: R1, R2, R3 zones (Table 6.1); RU zone on a lot existing at passing of the by-law (Table 9.1 note *1). A modular dwelling's shortest side may not be less than 6.1 m (definition s.3.40) [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 · Temiskaming Shores’s term: “mobile home dwelling”

Mobile home dwellings (CSA Z240) are a permitted use only in the Mobile Home Residential (MH) zone, which covers existing mobile home parks. Using a motor vehicle, truck, bus or similar for human habitation is prohibited, and recreational vehicles may only be parked or stored on residential lots. [1]

Where allowed: Dwelling, Mobile Home: MH zone only (Table 6.1); maximum number of mobile home sites in a park is as existed when the by-law passed (Table 6.3 note *13) [1]
Temporary garden suite: Not provided for; Section 13 (Temporary Use) is reserved 'to be added through amendment' [1]
Approvals: Use of any motor vehicle, truck, bus, coach, railway car or street car body for human habitation is prohibited (s.4.22.1(a)); recreational vehicles are permitted in residential zones only as parked/stored accessory vehicles (s.4.28) [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 · Temiskaming Shores’s term: “accessory building”

An accessory building used for human habitation is prohibited in every zone unless it is specifically listed as a permitted use, and no zone lists a sleeping cabin as an accessory use on a residential lot. 'Cabin' is defined only as sleeping accommodation for the travelling or vacationing public. [1]

Where allowed: Prohibited accessory use in any zone unless specifically listed: 'A building or portion thereof used for human habitation' (s.4.1.2); boathouses may not be used for human habitation (s.4.1.7.3(d)) [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

Only the as-adopted text (December 19, 2017; in force January 1, 2018) is posted on the City's zoning page (https://www.temiskamingshores.ca/living-here/planning/zoning-by-law/); no consolidation of later amendments is available, so subsequent amendments (including any implementing the 2022 Planning Act changes on additional residential units) could not be checked. A web search found only site-specific rezonings (2025-2026) and no city-wide ARU amendment, but this is not confirmed. Answers reflect the 2017 text; a person should confirm current rules with the City Planning Department.

Sources

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