Building more units on your property
If you own a detached, semi-detached or town house, you can build up to two additional residential units or a fourplex on your property, depending on the size of your lot. These units are self-contained living spaces that have cooking, sleeping and washroom facilities.
Zoning approvals, permit fees and charges depend on which type of unit or units you intend to build. There are also Ontario Building Code requirements for a building with more than two units, which may have implications to the structure and design of the building.
Additional residential units
Additional residential units are second and third units on a residential property. They can be within the primary home, also known as attached units, or in a detached building. Only one detached unit is permitted on a single lot.
The most cost-effective way to add units to your lot is by converting living space within your existing home. Ways to add attached units include:
- Basement apartments, in-law suites and nanny suites
- Attached garage conversions
- Second floor conversions
- Rear or side additions to accommodate new units
- A new build with up to three units
For zoning regulations that apply to your property, use the property information tool.
If you have enough space on your lot, you may be able to build an additional unit in a separate building. Units that don’t share any walls with the primary home are referred to as detached additional residential units but are often called garden suites, coach houses, tiny homes or laneway suites. They can be one or two storeys, depending on the size and type of your lot.
Building a garden suite can cost more than adding a unit within the primary home, where connections to electrical and plumbing already exist. Some things to consider before getting started include:
- Creating a separate municipal street address for each new building so that it can be easily located by emergency services, utility companies, businesses and the public
- Staying within maximum building heights and sizes
- Maintaining setback distance between the additional unit and property lines
- Limiting distance and area of window openings
- Ensuring fire emergency access, with a maximum distance of 45 metres from the street to the front door, and a minimum width of 1.2 metres
- Sharing or creating separate connections to water and wastewater through the Region of Peel
- Connecting new electrical and natural gas services according to Electrical Safety Authority and Technical Standards and Safety Authority guidelines
For detailed requirements, read the zoning regulations for detached ARUs.
Fourplexes
A fourplex is a single low-rise residential building containing four separate units. You can’t build an additional residential unit on lot that has a fourplex. Different regulations apply based on whether the fourplex is converted from the existing home or a new build.
Fourplex conversions are low-rise residential buildings that have been remodelled to accommodate four separate units. In this case, all four units must fit within the building footprint of the home that existed as of December 6, 2023. Additions can’t be built to accommodate four units. For more information, review the fourplex by‑law.
A purpose-built fourplex is a new residential building that’s designed and built to accommodate four separate units. These fourplexes are subject to new zoning regulations, which provide more flexibility than conversions. That includes additional height, reduced setbacks and increased lot coverage. For more information, review the fourplex by‑law.
Submitting your permit application
You need a building permit to add units to your property. The City requires drawings of your proposal so we can determine if what you’re building is safe and complies with the Zoning By‑law, the Ontario Building Code, and any other applicable law. Work with a qualified designer to make sure your project meets regulations.
Required drawings and documents for your building permit application can include:
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations and limiting distances for exterior wall alterations
- Roof plan for detached units and additions
- Schedule 1: Designer Information
- Applicable Law Form
There may be additional submission requirements, depending on the type of unit you’re building. Once your permit application is submitted, the City will provide information on next steps.
Address requirements
We’ll reach out with any requirements for creating a new municipal street address. When the City assigns a new address to your property, it does not guarantee the approval of your building permit application. The approval process for building permits involves separate considerations.
Permit fees and charges
There’s a non-refundable $20 deposit to submit your permit request online. We’ll deduct this amount from the total cost of your permit.
Total permit fees depend on the size and type of unit you’re building. They will be calculated once we pre-screen your request. To find out how much a building permit costs, refer to the fee schedule.
Detached units have an additional fee of $77.20, plus HST, for the addressing plan.
Fourplexes are also subject to development charges and cash-in-lieu of parkland, which must be paid before we can issue your permit.
Permit processing times
If your application is complete, the first review may take 15 business days. Applications that must be resubmitted may result in delays of two weeks or more.
If there is a change to land use, you may require a design change or minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment. Staff will let you know when we review your application.
For more information, refer to the times for processing and issuing a permit.
Contact us
If you have questions about building more units, call 311 (905-615-4311 outside City limits).