Wasaga Beach zoning for small homes

Town of Wasaga Beach, in the County of Simcoe. Population 24,862 (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 · Wasaga Beach’s term: “detached accessory dwelling unit / garden suite”

The by-law permits only attached accessory dwelling units as of right in the R1, R2 and R3 zones; a detached accessory dwelling unit in an accessory building requires a site-specific temporary use zoning by-law amendment approved by Council. The Development (D) zone lists a detached accessory dwelling unit as a permitted use. 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]

Where allowed: Detached accessory dwelling unit listed as a permitted use in the Development (D) zone (s.25.2.1), which has a 10 ha minimum lot area. [2]
Parking: In Downtown Wasaga Beach zones: 1.0 space per garden suite in addition to the principal dwelling's parking (s.26.2.15). [2]
Approvals: 'A detached accessory dwelling unit shall not be permitted in a detached building or structure that is accessory to a permitted residential use unless a site-specific Zoning By-Law Amendment for a temporary use has been approved by Council' (s.3.28.1.5). [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. [1][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 · Wasaga Beach’s term: “single detached dwelling unit”

Minimum dwelling unit areas apply to single detached dwellings in the main residential and rural zones, ranging from 65 m² in the R3 zone to 93 m² in the R1, R2, Rural and Development zones, and 112 m² first floor area in the Residential Estate zone.

Minimum dwelling size: R1: 93 m² (s.4.3.7). R2 single detached: 93 m² (s.5.3.7). R3: 65 m² (s.6.3.7). RE: 112 m² first floor area (s.9.3.7). RU: 93 m² (s.24.3.7). D: 93 m² (s.25.3.7). RM modular/mobile home park: 70 m² minimum unit floor area (s.8.3.15). [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. [1][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 · Wasaga Beach’s term: “mobile home / park model trailer”

Human habitation is prohibited in house trailers, park model trailers, motor homes and similar vehicles in all zones unless otherwise permitted. Modular/mobile homes are permitted in the Residential Modular Home (RM) zone as a modular/mobile home park, and park model trailers are permitted in trailer and tent parks in the Campground Commercial (CC) zone, which exclude permanent or year-round occupancy.

Where allowed: Residential Modular Home (RM) zone: modular/mobile home park, minimum park area 4 ha, minimum unit floor area 70 m² (s.8). Trailer and tent parks (CC zone) are for temporary accommodation and exclude permanent or year-round occupancy except by the owner or operator (definition s.27.200). [2]
Temporary garden suite: A detached accessory dwelling unit requires a site-specific temporary use zoning by-law amendment (s.3.28.1.5). [2]
Approvals: 'In all Zones, human habitation is prohibited in a commercial trailer, auto trailer, boat, boat trailer, house and/or park model trailer or motor home unless otherwise permitted' (s.3.41.8). [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. [10][5][1][7][6]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

A small sleeping building with no kitchen, usually beside a cottage or house.

Not allowed · Wasaga Beach’s term: “accessory building”

Accessory buildings, structures and uses may not include any building for human habitation. Sleeping quarters in accessory structures appear only in a site-specific exception (R1-30).

Maximum height: General accessory building limit in residential zones: 5 m to the ridge of a pitched roof, 3.5 m for a flat roof, one storey (s.3.1.4). [2]
Approvals: Accessory uses 'shall not include … any building for human habitation' (s.3.1.1.1 ii). [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. [7][5][1][11]

Official links

Last confirmed October 2026.

Notes and caveats

The copy read is stamped 'Office Consolidation March 2026'. It is at the URL given, which the planning page does not link; the planning page links the June 2025 consolidation. No official ARU or garden suite guide was found. The by-law permits only attached accessory units as of right in the R1–R3 zones, and only on full municipal services. Provincial Planning Act provisions on additional residential units in ancillary buildings may affect how s.3.28.1.5 applies; this was not assessed. The R1-30 exception allows existing accessory structures to be used for sleeping quarters on specific lands.

Sources

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