The Archipelago zoning for small homes

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.

Not allowed · The Archipelago’s term: “additional residential unit”

Under A2000-07, accessory buildings may not be used for human habitation except as sleeping cabins. Amendment A2224-26, passed 22 May 2026, would allow one additional residential unit in a detached accessory building in the PBR and GR zones on lots of at least 1 ha, but it is under appeal. Until the Ontario Land Tribunal decides, the Township applies the more restrictive provision. [1]

Where allowed: A2224-26 (under appeal): PBR and GR zones in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 only; detached unit must be in the rear yard; not on lots fronting a waterbody or without access to a publicly maintained road [2]
Minimum lot size: A2224-26 (under appeal): 0.6 ha for any ARU; 1 ha for an ARU in a detached accessory building [2]
Maximum size: A2224-26 (under appeal): total floor area not to exceed 40% of the total floor area of the primary dwelling unit [2]
Approvals: Township: A2224-26 is under appeal to the OLT; A2000-07 and the new by-law both apply and the more restrictive provision governs until the OLT declares the unappealed portions in effect [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 with limits · The Archipelago’s term: “single detached dwelling”

Under A2000-07, the main dwelling in the CR, IR and GR residential zones must have a minimum ground floor area of 40 m² in Wards 5 and 6 and 50 m² in Wards 1 to 4. The appealed amendment A2224-26 would lower this to 17 m², and the Township applies the more restrictive rule while the appeal is pending. [1]

Minimum dwelling size: Main dwelling minimum ground floor area (CR Coastal/Island Residential, IR Inland Lakes Residential, GR General Residential): Wards 5 and 6: 40 m²; Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4: 50 m² (A2000-07, struck text); A2224-26 replaces both with 17 m² (under appeal) [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 · The Archipelago’s term: “mobile home / park model trailer / travel trailer”

No travel trailer, motor home, mobile home, park model trailer or similar structure may be used as a residence in any zone, whether or not it is on wheels. Trailer parks are limited to short-term accommodation and exclude mobile homes, and no new trailer sites are permitted.

Where allowed: None; 'No new commercial tent or trailer sites will be permitted in the Township' (Tents and Trailer Sites) [2]
Approvals: "No person shall, in any Zone, use any travel trailer, tent, motor home, mobile home, park model trailer ... for the purpose of a residence. No such structure shall be considered a dwelling unit, or be used for human habitation, whether or not the same is mounted on wheels" [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 · The Archipelago’s term: “sleeping cabin”

Sleeping cabins without cooking facilities are a permitted accessory use on any lot zoned for residential use. Size and number limits vary by ward.

Maximum size: Wards 1-4: 50.16 m² each (or the main dwelling's ground floor area if less), 150.48 m² combined. Wards 5-6: 40 m² each (or the main dwelling's ground floor area if less), 80 m² combined. Minimum ground floor area greater than 10 m² [2]
Number allowed: Wards 1-4: three per lot (two if the lot has an ARU, per A2224-26). Wards 5-6: two per lot (one if the lot has an ARU) [2]
Maximum height: 5 metres [2]
Setbacks: Not within 7.5 m of a front lot line or 6 m of a side or rear lot line; 15 m front on lots fronting Blackstone, Crane, Forget, Three-Legged and southern Spider lakes (A2224-26 addition) [2]
Kitchen: Sleeping cabins do not contain any cooking facilities [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

Schedule 1 to By-law A2224-26 (passed 22 May 2026) is the A2000-07 consolidation (cover: 'Consolidated Version (April 28th, 2025)') with the amendments shown as tracked changes. The PDF text layer merges struck and inserted text (e.g. '1740 m²' = 40 struck, 17 inserted), so values were checked against rendered page images. The Township's review page says A2224-26 is under appeal to the OLT, both by-laws apply, and the more restrictive provision governs until the OLT declares unappealed portions in effect. The answers reflect that, and which provisions are appealed is not known. The by-law does not mention garden suites. Every residential use requires private water and sewage systems (Residential Use Restrictions). Schedule 2 maps: https://www.thearchipelago.on.ca/uploads/dm/130741/Schedule_2_Bylaw_A222426_FULL_Signed.pdf

Sources

Suggest a correction or source

Know of a by-law change, an exception or an official page we missed? Tell us. An editor checks every suggestion before the page changes.

The Archipelago zoning for small homes

Backyard suite

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on a foundation

Ontario-wide rule

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Ontario-wide rule

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

Ontario-wide rule

Official links

Sources

Suggest a correction or source

Find help nearby