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TOWN OF WESTVILLE
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Tiny Home Policy Statement
(V3.1)
The Town of Westville understands that an increasing number of residents and potential home
owners see Tiny Homes as a desirable housing option - Tiny Home structures are built in many
shapes and sizes, with the one common element being a small living space. There is no single
accepted definition of what constitutes a Tiny Home. As a result, for the purposes of this Policy,
Tiny Homes shall be defined as typically being a small, detached and self-contained dwelling unit
intended for year-round permanent use constructed in accordance with the requirements of
Section 9.39 of the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations (latest edition) and with a:
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living and dining area;
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kitchen and bathroom facilities;
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sleeping area, and;
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laundry and storage area(s).
Westville prides itself on being Tiny Home supportive and friendly and is committed to
recognizing and permitting tiny homes as a viable housing type in the town. At the same time,
Westville is insistent that any Tiny Home structures within the community provide appropriately
safe accommodation. One of the ways Westville hopes to encourage Tiny Homes is by keeping
development charges for Tiny Home development in Westville at or below the costs associated
with other single detached dwellings.
Westville commits to regulate Tiny Homes the same way it regulates any other residences in the
community. Tiny Homes must comply with all relevant Land Use Bylaws, and safety
requirements, including building and fire codes. In Westville, a Tiny Home structure must be
built on a foundation that is in compliance with Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada
or the CSAZ240.10.1 standard and is insurable by insurance providers and financeable by
financial institutions. Further, the properties that Tiny Homes are established on must be fully
serviced with utilities such as water and sanitary sewer. Tiny Homes and the owners of Tiny
Homes must comply with parking and land use rules and regulations.
Where Tiny Homes are the sole habitable structure on a lot, they are only permitted to be
constructed on properties enumerated within the attached Acceptable Properties for Individual
Tiny Homes map attached. The enumerated properties were identified using the following
criteria:
TOWN OF WESTVILLE
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✓ Vacancy: the selected parcels do not at present have a permanent structure within their
bounds;
✓ Lot Size: the identified properties are considered Undersized Lots under Westville's
current Land Use By-law;
✓ Lot Frontage: the identified properties have a minimum of five (5) metres of street
frontage, and;
✓ Neighbourhood Character: the identified properties are such that they appear to be
consistent with neighbouring properties within their immediate areas and that a Tiny
Home built on these identified properties would be considered consistent with the
neighbourhood character.
Development of multiple Tiny Home structures on a single property (i.e. a "Tiny Home
community development" "tiny home pocket neighbourhood") are encouraged and will be
considered by the Town of Westville on a development by development basis by way of
Development Agreement within existing residential zones.
Campers, recreational vehicles, and other structures used on a seasonal basis are not considered
Tiny Homes by Westville and cannot be used as Tiny Homes within the community, regardless of
their size.
To assist residents, developers, designers and builders in bringing Tiny Homes to Westville, the
Town strongly encourages and recommends the following minimum size parameters for Tiny
Homes constructed in, or moved to, the Town of Westville.
Minimum Suggested Space Requirements for
Open-Concept Designs
Room or Space
Minimum Suggested
Required Floor Area
Combined sleeping, living, dining and kitchen space
13.5 m2 (145 ft2 )
Bathroom (space for sink, toilet and shower stall or
bath)
3.0 m2 (32 ft2)
Laundry
1.0 m2 (11 ft2)
TOWN OF WESTVILLE
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Minimum Suggested Space Requirements for
Separated Space Designs
Room or Space
Minimum Required Floor Area
Living area
13.5 m2 (145 ft2)
Dining area
7.0 m2 (75 ft2 )
Kitchen
4.2 m2 (45.2 ft2 )
Master bedroom (without built-in closet)
9.8 m2 (95 ft2 )
Combined living, dining and kitchen areas (in
a one-bedroom unit)
11.0 m2 (118.4 ft2 )
Other bedrooms (without built-in closets)
7.0 m2 (75 ft2 )
Bathroom (space for sink, toilet and shower
stall or bath)
3.0 m2 (32 ft2)
Minimum Suggested Height Requirements
Room or Space
Minimum Height
Living area
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Dining area
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Kitchen
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Bedrooms
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Bathroom (space for sink, toilet and shower
stall or bath)
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Hall or Main Entrance Vestibule
2,300 mm (7'-6 ½")
Town of Westville
Identified Properties for Individual Tiny Homes