West Lincoln zoning for small homes
Township of West Lincoln, in the Region of Niagara. Population 15,454 (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 · West Lincoln’s term: “accessory dwelling unit (in an accessory building)”
Where a residential dwelling is permitted, up to two accessory dwelling units are permitted on a lot, at least one of which must be within or attached to the main dwelling, so one may be in a detached accessory building. On lots without municipal water and sewer in rural settlement and agricultural areas, a minimum lot area of 0.4 ha and approved private services are required. [1]
- Maximum size
- Lesser of 100 m² or 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling (s. 3.2.1 b) [2]
- Maximum height
- 8 m for an accessory building containing an accessory dwelling unit above the first storey (s. 3.2.1 f); otherwise accessory buildings in residential zones 5 m (Table 1-2) [2]
- Separation from house
- Within 50 m of the principal dwelling; not in front or exterior side yards (s. 3.2.1 g, h) [2]
- Minimum lot size
- 0.4 ha on lots not serviced by municipal sanitary and water services in Rural Settlement and Agricultural Areas (s. 3.2.1 l) [2]
- Number allowed
- Up to 2 accessory dwelling units per lot, at least one within or attached to the principal dwelling (s. 3.2.1 a) [2]
- Parking
- 1 parking space per accessory dwelling, accessed from the same driveway as the principal dwelling (s. 3.2.1 k; Table 6) [2]
- Where allowed
- RuR, R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R2, R3, RM1-RM4, RH and A zones (zone permitted-use tables) [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. [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 · West Lincoln’s term: “single detached dwelling”
The zone regulation tables for the Agricultural and Low Density/Rural Residential zones set lot, yard, coverage and height standards but no minimum dwelling floor area for a single detached dwelling.
- Minimum dwelling size
- None stated in Tables 12 (Agricultural zones) or 14 (RuR, R1A-R1D, R2, R3) [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.
Needs approval · West Lincoln’s term: “mobile home / recreational vehicle / trailer”
The by-law prohibits mobile homes, motor vehicles, recreational vehicles and trailers occupied as a permanent residence, and no zone lists a mobile home park as a permitted use. A portable garden suite, which may be a mobile home on a secured foundation, can be authorized only by a temporary use by-law.
- Where allowed
- Prohibited: 'Mobile homes, motor vehicles, or recreational vehicles and trailers occupied as a permanent residence' (s. 3.13 Prohibited Uses, item l); no truck, bus, coach or structure other than a lawful dwelling unit may be used for human habitation, on wheels or not (s. 3.2.2 c) [2]
- Temporary garden suite
- Garden suite subject to a Temporary Use By-law and agreement; max 1 per lot, max 100 m², four-season design 'including mobile home on a secured foundation'; listed in RuR, R1A-R1D and A zones (s. 3.2.3) [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.
Not allowed · West Lincoln’s term: “accessory building”
An accessory building or structure may not be used for human habitation except where the by-law specifically permits it, and the by-law has no sleeping cabin or bunkie provision. The dwelling unit definition excludes a cabin.
- Where allowed
- Accessory buildings shall not be used for human habitation except if specifically permitted (s. 3.1 b) [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
- Township of West Lincoln website
- Zoning By-law 2017-70, as amended
- West Lincoln’s guide to additional units
Last confirmed October 2026.
Notes and caveats
Sources
- West Lincoln’s guide to additional units
- Zoning By-law 2017-70, as amended
- Planning Act (Ontario e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 299/19: Additional residential units (Ontario e-Laws)
- Development Charges Act, 1997 (Ontario e-Laws)
- 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
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.
Find help nearby
Directory pages that cover West Lincoln.