Tiny houses are becoming very popular and are no longer just a trend. Almost everyone wants one and is starting to notice the benefits that come with it. The only problem is that it’s not as simple as buying or building one. There are various laws and regulations one needs to work with.
And every municipality and area has its own rules, so if you are looking at getting a tiny house, you must do your due diligence and find out everything you can. Here is everything you need to know about tiny homes in Quebec:
Are Tiny Homes legal in Quebec?
Quebec is currently one of the only places in Canada that allow the legal use of tiny homes as recreational vehicles, living spaces, or residential space.
Not all cities in Quebec allow the parking or building of tiny homes, though. Currently, there is not much legislation regarding the requirements for tiny homes, and it is always best to check with your local building municipal planning authorities to see if they are legal in your area.
What are the Requirements?
Whether you just got your first tiny house or have been involved for a while, you must abide by the laws and requirements. Municipal regulations, the building code, and zoning rules all govern the construction and requirements for tiny homes. Take a look at the following:
- The construction of buildings smaller than 320 square feet for a single-family dwelling with one bedroom is prohibited by provincial law for the construction and alteration of buildings in Quebec.
- Homes smaller than 700 square feet are not covered by Quebec’s national building code.
- The installation of a little house as a residential addition is forbidden in Quebec.
- The minimum size of a house per sector is typically determined by the zoning by-laws in effect in towns, which frequently necessitates a tedious administrative procedure.
However, each municipality has its own regulations and criteria for these high-quality living spaces. Most municipalities are happy to tweak some of the regulations and laws to accommodate tiny homes in Quebec.
Building codes:
You must adhere to building laws and regulations regardless of whether your small home is lawful or considered an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
Some building codes can dictate how the tiny home is built and includes emergency exit point requirements, minimum ceiling height, stairs or ladders for loft areas, and plumbing requirements.
Size requirements:
Many local governments have a size requirement, and most dictate that your house should be at least around 1000 square feet for a home that fits a single family. And this disqualifies tiny homes.
So if you want to have a tiny house in a residential zone legally, you will likely need to zone the house as an ADU.
If you do classify the tiny home you built on your property as your main dwelling, it will likely be rejected, and you will struggle to get it approved. This is mainly due to the fact that a tiny home can lower your tax rates quite a bit, and of course, this is not ideal for the government.
Location:
The hardest part about living in a tiny house is finding a good location where you can safely and legally keep your home. There are not many places that will let you buy land if you intend on building a tiny home on it. This means that you will need to do quite a bit of research and find a county that will allow you to put a tiny house on the land you bought.
Foundation:
One of the biggest reasons why tiny homes are not seen as legal is that most of them are actually on wheels. Most areas state that your dwelling needs to be on a solid foundation for it to be deemed livable.
If you would like to live in your tiny house that is on wheels permanently, you will need to look into staying at an RV park, as this is one of the places that will allow you to live there full time, even if it isn’t on wheels.
Where can I Legally Park or Place My Tiny Home?
There are various places in Quebec where you can legally place or park your tiny house:
Lantier
The construction of an “eco-residential” area in the Laurentian town of Lantier was given approval in 2015 to accommodate 100 tiny homes. Habitat Multi-Generations, the developer, has constructed numerous homes ranging in size from 350 to 800 square feet.
The municipality must examine its rules and set the minimum surface size of a home in a project-affected region at 355 square feet to make it possible to carry out this ecological project. It is necessary to change three by-laws that deal with zoning, subdivision, permissions, and certifications.
Sherbrooke
Richard Painchaud established the neighborhood of tiny homes in Sherbrooke with the help of the local government and residents. This neighborhood is situated in the city’s eastern region, in an area that is developing as new businesses, supermarkets, schools, and restaurants pop up over time.
The project is situated on more than 700,000 square feet of land. Cross-country skiers, lovers of snowshoeing, and those who enjoy nature walks will greatly benefit from the fact that more than 50% of the surface will continue to be wooded.
The small homes in this neighborhood have a 16 by 30 square-foot floor plan and a 21-foot ceiling height. As a result, people will be able to construct rooms on the second story. For a simple model, budget about $100,000 for a modern tiny house.
Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, Laurentians
The Nature on the Lake project, which is situated in Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, will feature tiny homes and single-family modular homes on 13 million square feet of land with a view of the lake. It takes on the ultimate modular concept.
There will be more than 200 sites available for the development of tiny homes, with floorplans ranging from 384 to 800 square feet.
Dixville in Estrie
Note that the Dixville Habitation Durable program is open to all new construction projects in the municipality, including tiny homes. By promoting energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials, and enhancing indoor air quality, the municipality hopes to inspire residents to support sustainable development.
How Often Do I Need to Move My Tiny Home?
It depends on where you have parked it; some places only allow you to be there seasonally or limit how long you can stay, which means that you will need to move your tiny house.
If you want to live like a nomad and move around often, it is best only to move your tiny house every 3-6 months. Moving your tiny house too often can lead to damage.
Do I Need a Permit to Build/Live in a Tiny House?
Most states do require permits for tiny homes. Tiny homes must abide by laws, ordinances, and codes just like any other type of residence. The laws governing the tiny house movement take the location, the type of property used, and the length of time into consideration.
Following the submission of your permit application, the local code official will examine the completed designs to see if everything complies with all applicable zoning, environmental, building, and construction regulations.
FAQ
Can I build a tiny house in my backyard in Quebec?
Do I need building consent for a tiny home?
Sources
https://renoquotes.com/en/blog/construct-tiny-house-permits-regulations
https://tinyhousesinside.com/tiny-house/law/quebec/