Within the City of Miramichi, accessory buildings are regulated with respect to size location and height within all zones.  The City’s Zoning By-law (By-law No. 62) provides definitions of what types of buildings are considered to be accessory buildings.  Without limiting the definition buildings considered to be accessory buildings may include gazebos, garages, sheds and baby barns.

If a property owner is interested in erecting an accessory building and is unable to meet the provisions of the By-law, then the MPDC should be contacted to discuss applying for a variance.

Please be advised that the construction of all accessory buildings requires a Building Permit and no work related to the building should commence until such time as a Building Permit has been issued.

ACCESSORY BUILDING means a subordinate building or structure on the same lot as the main building and devoted exclusively to an accessory use, but does not include a building attached in any way to the main building.

3.1.11 Where this By-law provides that any land may be used or a building or structure may be erected or used for a purpose, that purpose shall include accessory buildings.

3.1.12 No accessory building may be used for human habitation.

3.1.13 An accessory building or use shall not be erected or located in any front yard, side yard or rear yard, except as follows (Amended by-law 62-8):

a) in any residential zone said accessory building:

i) shall not be located in a front yard;

ii) shall be located at least 1.5 metres from the main building and at least 1.8 metres from either side lot line and at least 1.8 metres from the rear lot line;

iii) shall not be closer to any other lot line than 2 metres;

iv) shall not exceed the height of the roof of the main building on the lot and in no case shall it exceed six(6) metres in height measured from the finished grade to the highest point of any portion of the roof;

v) the total maximum building coverage for accessory buildings shall not exceed 10% of the total lot area, to a maximum of 80.5 square metres for a lot less than 4000 square metres in size and 90 square metres for a lot greater than 4000 square metres in size; and

vi) shall be clearly incidental and accessory to the use of the property as a residential use.

b) in any industrial zone said accessory building:

i) shall not be located in the minimum front yard;

ii) shall be at least 3.0 metres from either side lot line and at least 3.0 metres from the rear lot line or ½ the height of the building, which ever is the greater; and

iii) shall not have lot coverage for accessory buildings exceeding 10% of the total lot area.

c) in any other zone:

i) shall not be located in a front yard;

ii) shall be located at least 1.5 metres from the main building and at least 3.0 metres from either side lot line and at least 3.0 metres from the rear lot line or ½ the height of the building, which ever is the greater;

iii) shall not be closer to any other lot line than 3 metres or ½ the height of the building, which ever is the greater; and

iv) shall not have lot coverage for accessory buildings exceeding 10% of the total lot area.

d) in any zone where the accessory building is less than 12 square metres in floor area and 2.5 metres in height: