What is the difference in the code requirements for a Cottage versus a Residence, well…not much and a whole lot.  A cottage is still required to meet the majority of Part 9 of the building code, but there is also a large amount that they are exempted from.  Let’s first look see if your Cottage fits the code definition.

A cottage is defined as a building of residential occupancy used or intended to be used as a seasonal recreational building.  So it is a residence, but it is not used year round.  In Ontario, that means it is only used in the summer months and at best 3 seasons.  It is the intention of the code that if your cottage is used during the winter months, then the following exemptions do not apply. 

If your cottage exceeds 600 square meters or 3 storey’s, then it falls under Part 3 of the code which is designed to address larger buildings. In this case, these exemptions are also not applicable.

If your “cottage” falls under this scope of not being used in the winter months and it is under the size requirements, then it must comply with all of Part 9 of the building code with the following exemptions;

Design of areas, spaces and doorways.  Residential buildings are required to have specific barrier free design, specified ceiling height restrictions, living space area minimums, bathroom areas and door size requirements, hallway minimum widths and minimum doorway sizes, but a “Cottage” is exempt from all of these requirements.  

Glass.  There are very specific requirements for types of glass panes in residential buildings including panes in interior windows, interior door side lites, exterior doors, windows and sidelights, shower and tub glass, glazed panels and partitions.  But none of this is applicable if your building is a “Cottage”.

Windows, Doors and Skylights.  The code requires minimum sizes and specific performance criteria for all doors, windows and skylights.  Security performance is also addressed here requiring specific forced entry minimum requirements for entry doors and installation requirements for all windows, doors and skylights.   Again these requirements are exempt in “Cottages”

Means of Egress, Fire Protection and Sound Control are all areas that are quite involved for homes, but again “Cottages” are exempt from them all.  It should be noted that Smoke alarms and spatial separations between buildings are always required even for cottages.

Flooring requirements of 9.30 are exempt for cottages, but tight fitting floors are required and must be designed to handle the live and dead loads of the building.

Are your ready for this list?  Insulation, vapour barrier, air barrier, interior finishes, plumbing, heating, mechanical ventilation , air-conditioning and electrical facilities are all exempt in “Cottages”.  However, should you decide to install any of these items, they must be installed to the letter of the code.  An interesting case in point, if you are to install insulation, you must install the vapour barrier and air barrier, however the level of insulation is totally your call.  R5? sure, knock yourself out!

Continuous perimeter foundation walls are exempt for cottages.  Unit masonry may be used for support, but there is a limit to their height.

Smoke alarms are ALWAYS REQUIRED as mentioned earlier.

It should be noted, if your “Cottage” is to be used for Seasonal Tourist accommodation or for rent, then you will still need to comply with the Design of areas, spaces and doorways, Glass and Windows, Doors and Skylights sections.  Exemptions still stand for Means of Egress, Fire Protection, Sound Control, flooring requirements of 9.30, all of the insulation, plumbing, ventilation, heating and Electrical requirements.  

It is a complex navigation through what is and is not required, so you are always best to have a professional help you walk through that.  Remember, if the intention is to not use this building in the winter months, then the exemptions apply.  Otherwise, your cottage needs to be constructed under the same requirements of your permanent dwelling.