Coach houses, tiny houses, granny flats — whatever your preferred term, the City of Ottawa is seeking input on how to regulate the growing trend of secondary dwellings in urban, suburban and rural neighbourhoods.

The provincial government passed legislation requiring that municipalities explore ways to allow these types of homes in an effort to promote densification, create affordable housing options and provide opportunities for multi-generational housing, Ottawa city planner Alain Miguelez told Hallie Cotnam on CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.

"Typically, you'll see what may have been stables in the 19th century or an old garage redone as a little house in the backyard," he said. "It cannot be severed. It's something that would be part of the property itself."

The city must decide how big a property must be to allow a coach house and how close a coach house could be to the property line, he said.

Listen to the full interview in the player below.