Tiny Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a "Tiny Home"? |
| Tiny homes are not explicitly defined in the City’s Zoning By-law 60-94 (the By-law) and therefore are treated as a single detached dwelling in the By-law. A single detached dwelling is defined as:
"SINGLE DETACHED DWELLING" means a building which is freestanding, separate and detached from other main buildings or main structures and which contains only a dwelling unit, but does not include a mobile home. |
| What provisions apply to a Tiny Home? |
| Tiny homes must comply with all provisions related to a single detached dwelling. This includes but is not limited to, two 2.75 metres wide by 5.75 metres long parking spaces, one located in the front yard, the second in a side yard, rear yard or garage, minimum of 50% landscaping in the front yard, minimum front, side and rear yard depths etc. For the full list of provisions, please refer to Zoning By-law 60-94 under the appropriate zoning. |
| What if my Tiny Home does not comply with the Zoning By-law? |
| Should a proposal for the development of a tiny home require an application to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance, the property will be charged at the rate applicable to a single detached dwelling and tested against the provisions of the applicable zoning that permits a single detached dwelling. |
| Can I have multiple Tiny Homes on one lot (i.e. "Tiny Home Village") |
| Only one (1) single detached dwelling (tiny home) is permitted on a lot as per:
Zoning By-law 60-94, Subsection 4.15 Multiple Main Buildings on a Lot 4.15.1 Except for single detached dwellings, semi-detached buildings, and duplexes, more than one main building may be permitted on a lot that complies with any applicable lot frontage and lot area requirements provided that all applicable minimum yard depths are provided and maintained, the maximum lot coverage is not exceeded, the maximum density is not exceeded, the maximum height is not exceeded, the minimum amount of landscaped open space is provided and maintained and the maximum floor space index is not exceeded. A zoning by-law amendment, at a minimum, is required prior to any placement of a “tiny home village”. Pre-consultation with the City is highly recommended to discuss any proposal prior to submitting an application. Durham Region will also only allow for one service connection for water, and one for sanitary per lot. |
| Can a Tiny Home be placed on wheels? |
| If the tiny home is mobile through the use of wheels, rollers etc. it is considered a mobile home, as defined below, in the City’s Zoning By-law 60-94. No zone in the City of Oshawa currently allows for mobile home(s). A zoning by-law amendment, at a minimum, is required prior to any placement of a mobile home. Pre-consultation with the City is highly recommended to discuss any proposal involving this type of home prior to submitting an application.
"MOBILE HOME" means a trailer, with or without running gear and whether or not it is resting upon wheels, that is used as a permanent dwelling unit, is usually connected to utilities and is designed without a permanent foundation. |
| What is the parking requirement for a Tiny Home? |
| Parking shall be provided consistent with the policies of a single detached dwelling for each tiny home as listed in Section 39 of Zoning By-law 60-94. This would be two (2) parking spaces, 2.75 metres wide by 5.75 metres in length, one located in the front yard, and the other in a side yard, rear yard or garage unless otherwise varied by the Committee of Adjustment. |
| Is a building permit required for a Tiny Home? |
| A building permit shall be required for the development of any tiny home. The development charge for one (1) single detached dwelling shall apply and may either be credited through demolition of a previous single detached dwelling within a ten (10) year period or be collected by the applicant at the time of Building Permit submission. Cash–in–lieu of parkland may also be applicable. |