City Considers Allowing More Mobile And Mini-Homes

Saint John is looking to allow for more residents to build mobile or mini-homes in rural areas of the city.

Council has passed first and second reading of a bylaw to create a new zone called “rural mixed residential”.

Ken Melanson, the manager of community planning, said the current zoning bylaw restricts where these homes can go.

“You can only do a mobile or a mini-home if you had one at the time that the zoning bylaw came into effect in 2016. If you didn’t, then you are not able to place a new one,” said Melanson.

Work on the new zone started after the city approved a temporary use application in 2019 to place a mobile or mini-home on a lot on Nadiana Way, located off Eldersley Avenue.

City staff determined a new zone was the best way to allow the home to remain on the east side property, according to a report submitted to council.

“The 2019 application resulted in a broader review of the mobile or mini-home provisions of the Zoning By-law within the context of rural areas of the City,” said the report.

Melanson said the proposed new zone, which still needs final approval from council, would address a couple of different issues.

“It responds to the needs of those wanting to downsize their home. It also plays very highly to the question of providing options for affordable housing,” he said.

For now, only a couple of areas of the city would be rezoned rural mixed residential. But Melanson expects that number would grow with the city receiving between 10 and 20 inquiries a year regarding mobile and mini-homes.

Council will consider third reading of the proposed bylaw at its meeting Monday night.

Melanson said anyone who has questions about the proposed zone should contact the city’s One-Stop Development Shop.