Tay Valley Township’s general update to its zoning bylaw has passed with no appeals, making it the first municipality in Lanark County to allow tiny homes.

“Council wants to provide a range of housing opportunities in Tay Valley,” said Reeve Kerr. “Tiny houses are a more affordable option and can suit the lifestyle of young adults starting out on their own and seniors who are downsizing.”

There was a good response in the township to secondary units, when they were permitted two years ago, and the township received many inquiries about tiny houses, from affordable housing advocates, residents, and from people interested in moving to the township.

“When we looked at the increase in new houses we have experienced over the past two years, especially the increase in 2017 of 85 per cent more houses than the previous three-year average, we saw that the types of houses being built were more at the high end of the market,” noted Kerr. “Council wanted to make sure we weren’t leaving out residents who were interested in other types of housing, so we decided to go beyond the status quo and permit tiny houses.”