A jurisdictional scan compared how Canadian provinces and the USA regulate tiny homes. Most provinces do not have a formal definition; tiny homes are often treated like any other dwelling. British Columbia and some municipalities have specific definitions and requirements, while Nova Scotia has a dedicated section in its building code for tiny homes (≤37 m²), focusing on safety, egress, and flexibility in design.

Nova Scotia’s approach was presented as a possible framework for national code development, and consensus was reached to pursue a section in the National Building Code for tiny homes, using Nova Scotia’s framework as a starting point. The next steps include developing this framework that will be discussed at future meetings.

For more information, please contact alex.bols@chba.ca