LandPro: Reporting from the Tiny Home Show
Garden suites, granny flats, laneway houses, tiny homes, and modular homes, oh my! It’s been a busy month at LandPro.
The LandPro team joined up in Ancaster during the first week of August to spend some time at the Tiny Home Show. We heard presentations from inspired developers, curious municipalities, and experienced professionals on how to make Tiny Homes work across Ontario.
Our President, Mike Sullivan, spoke on-stage about how municipalities view zoning for Tiny Homes. He answered questions like:
Wheels or no wheels? (Good question! Check with your zoning)
What’s an ADU/SDU? (Accessory / Secondary Dwelling Units)
Can a Tiny Home be my only home? (Yes, if it’s legal in the Ontario Building Code)
Are Tiny Home communities allowed? (Depends on the municipality)
We had great reception from the attendees and were glad to share our planning knowledge to help potential Tiny (and Modular) Homeowners prepare for their projects. We were also excited to hear about ongoing policy shifts across the province.
Takeaways from the Tiny Home Show
For the most part, we saw that municipalities are all over the map with the concept of Tiny Homes. From those that have whole-heartedly embraced a Tiny Home future (Kitchener, Norfolk), to some still trying to figure out how to implement Tiny Home policy. There are even a few municipalities with proactive individual Councilors or Planners trying to capture the hearts and minds of their colleagues and convince them of the benefits of small-format housing. As Ontario navigates the implementation of tiny homes, each town, county, and city will look to put their spin on it.
Mike also shared some great insight during his presentation about affordable and sustainable modular housing across Southern Ontario, providing alternative options with a larger footprint. He also talked about the challenges of being a first time developer, the importance of starting with what you know, and having a great team on your side.
Are you a first-time developer gearing up for your Tiny or Modular Homes project?
Tiny Homes can be just as complicated as regular homes.
Consider that:
Differences between bylaws and definitions, building codes and waste/water servicing, and overall neighborhood interest (often from NIMBY’s) can affect your project.
Municipal approvals for your modular home is a big project in itself, so make sure you consult professionals with the right information about your property and local rules before beginning your project.
If done right, your Tiny/Modular Home can provide a lot of benefits to municipalities, such as affordable housing, sustainable options, and density.
We’d also like to mythbust a rumour we heard floating around:
Myth: I can put my Tiny Home anywhere, no permits required.
Truth: You should always check in with your municipality to see what is allowed on your property. Never build without permission, unless you’re looking for a hassle!
We’ll be in touch soon with more details about how LandPro can support your next project.
