Welland 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.

Allowed · Welland’s term: “accessory dwelling unit (in an accessory building)”

One accessory dwelling unit is permitted in a building accessory to a single-detached, semi-detached, two-unit or townhouse dwelling, as long as the main dwelling holds no more than one accessory unit (s.5.2). Accessory dwelling units are permitted in the RL1, RL2 and RM residential zones and the A1 and RR zones. A detached unit must meet the general accessory building rules in s.5.3.

Number allowed

One accessory dwelling unit in an accessory building, if the main dwelling contains no more than one accessory dwelling unit (s.5.2 b) [1]

Maximum height

6.0 m for accessory buildings in any residential zone (s.5.3.3) [1]

Maximum size

All accessory buildings and structures together may not exceed 10% lot coverage (s.5.3.4) [1]

Setbacks

Interior side or rear yard only; minimum 0.9 m from side and rear lot lines (s.5.3.2) [1]

Separation from house

Minimum 0.9 m from any principal building (s.5.3.2 b) [1]

Parking

1 additional tandem parking space (Section 6 parking table) [1]

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 · Welland’s term: “single-detached dwelling”

The regulations for the residential zones (Table 7.3.1) and the agricultural and rural zones (Table 13.3.1) set no minimum dwelling floor area for single-detached dwellings. [1]

Tiny home on wheels or park model

Living full-time in a tiny home on wheels or a park model home.

Needs approval · Welland’s term: “garden suite”

Using a boat, trailer or recreational vehicle for human habitation is prohibited unless specifically permitted (s.6.12.2 d), and no zone permits mobile home parks. A portable garden suite is allowed in the RL1, RL2, A1 and RR zones only through a temporary use by-law under the Planning Act and a s.39.1 agreement (s.5.15). In the A1 zone, a farm labour residence may be a temporary detached dwelling such as a mobile home.

Temporary garden suite

Allowed only on a lot zoned for a single-detached dwelling, through a temporary use by-law (Planning Act s.39) and a s.39.1 agreement; must be small and portable, serviced by the principal dwelling, no new driveway, and not on a lot with an accessory dwelling unit (s.5.15) [1]

Where allowed

Garden suite listed as a permitted use (subject to s.5.15) in the RL1, RL2, A1 and RR zones [1]

Bunkie or sleeping cabin

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

Not allowed

The by-law defines accessory buildings as 'not used, or intended to be used for human habitation', and s.5.3.1 excludes any building used for human habitation from accessory uses unless specifically permitted. The only bunk house provision is a temporary bunk house used as a farm labour residence in the A1 zone. [1]