Additional Residential Units

Additional Residential Units (ARU), also known as additional dwelling units or accessory residential units, accessory apartments, granny flats, in-law suites, laneway suites, and/or coach houses, are self-contained residential dwelling units, with their own cooking facility, sanitary facility and sleeping area, and that it is located either within a single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling (attached ARU) or within an ancillary building (garden suite). This project was an early deliverable of Housing Brampton, which aims to support the provision of age-friendly and inclusive housing that is affordable and accessible to all.

Bill 23 Conformity

The City of Brampton undertook the Policy Review to amend Additional Residential Unit (ARU) policies in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to conform to Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, which received Royal Assent on November 28, 2022. The amendments were adopted on May 3, 2023 and are in effect.

Garden Suites

The City of Brampton completed the Policy Review to implement Additional Residential Unit (ARU) policies in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to conform to Bill 108 More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 and the recommendations of Housing Brampton, the City’s affordable housing strategy.

Council adopted City-Initiated Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to Implement Additional Residential Units (Second Units and Garden Suites) Regulations By-laws at Council on August 10, 2022.

For information on how to apply and construct a garden suite, visit the Custom Home Garden Suites Review page or email: GardenSuites.Review@brampton.ca.

General Provisions for all ARUs

Unit Type

Detached, Semi-detached or Townhouse dwelling

Exceptions

Not permitted in:

Lodging Houses/Group Homes
Floodplain areas

Parking

One additional parking space for lots that contain two ARUs
No parking space required when only a second unit or a garden suite is proposed

Subject to the Registration By-law

Provisions for Garden Suites

Location
Rear or side yard only

Maximum Size
80 sq. m. for Hamlet, Estate or Agricultural zones
35 sq. m. for all other Residential zones

Setbacks

2.5m from the rear yard
1.8m from the side yard
3.0m from the principal dwelling

Height

The lesser of the height of the principal dwelling or:
7.5m for Hamlet, Estate or Agricultural zones
4.5m for all other Residential zones

Access

A 1.2m pedestrian path to the main access of the garden suite

Other

No balconies or rooftop patios

*Based on the OPA and ZBLA adopted on August 10, 2022.

Additional Residential Unit Examples

Attached ARU

Garden Suite

Timelines

Q4 2020 to Q2 2021
Background research, policy review and data collection
Q1 2021
Council Workshop: January 29, 2021
Online Survey Launches: April 5, 2021
Draft policy
Q2 2021 (June)
Statutory Public Meeting and Info Report: June 7, 2021
Online Survey Closes: June 14, 2021
Q2 2021 to Q3 2021
Stakeholder consultation; Circulation to departments and agencies; Collect and review public, technical and other comments
Q3 2021
Finalize proposed policies
Stakeholder consultation
Q2/Q3 2022
Recommendation Report to PDC: June 20, 2022
Council Adoption of OPA, ZBLA, Registration By-law and other municipal By-laws as required deferred from July 6, 2022 to August 10, 2022. Council adopted OPA, ZBLA and Registration By-law on August 10, 2022.
Q4 2022
Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, made changes to ARU provisions: Nov 28, 2022
Q1 2023
Statutory Public Meeting and Info Report: Feb 13, 2023
Q2 2023
Recommendation Report to PDC: April 24, 2023
Report Deferred to Council: May 3, 2023
Council adopted OPA, ZBLA and Registration By-law on May 3, 2023

Reports and Presentations

Studies and Reports

Presentations and Memos

Adopted By-laws

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process and associated fees for garden suites?

Before you build a garden suite in Brampton, you’ll need to follow this process: (1) preliminary zoning review; (2) custom home review (zoning, urban design, engineering), application fee ($500) and securities ($5,000); (3) registration and registration fee ($200), building permit and associates fees (cost varies); (4) building inspections; (5) occupancy and associated fees; (6) complete final registration.

Educational Development Charges (EDCs) is collected prior to building permit issuance. The City collects EDCs on behalf of the school boards, based on the EDC rate at the time of building permit issuance. EDC rates for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board and the Peel District School Board can be found here.

What type of certification(s) or license(s) are required of contractors or builders for garden suites?

Builders/contractors would need to be licensed by The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA). Tarion (the consumer protection organization established to administer the Province’s new home warranty program) considers garden suites as a new dwelling and must be enrolled with Tarion.

What is an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)?

An Additional Residential Unit (ARU) is a self-contained residential dwelling unit, with its own cooking facility, sanitary facility and sleeping area, and that it is located either within a single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling (attached ARU), or within an ancillary building (garden suite). ARUs are also known as second(ary) units, garden suites, granny-flats, in-law suites, laneway suites, and/or coach houses.

Single-detached, semi-detached, and/or townhouse lots may be permitted up to a maximum of two ARUs per lot. Either:

A maximum of one attached ARU located within the single-detached, semi-detached, and/or townhouse dwelling, AND a maximum of one garden suite in an accessory structure; OR,
A maximum of two attached ARUs located within the single-detached, semi-detached, and/or townhouse dwelling (e.g., two basement apartments)

What should I consider before submitting an application to construct a garden suite with the City?

Regulations

Can your property accommodate a garden suite based on zoning requirements (building setback, lot setbacks, etc)?

Services and utilities

Does your property have full municipal services available?
Can you extend your existing lines to service the garden suite?
Do you need to upgrade your water service? Complete the pipe sizing and plumbing data sheet.
Do you have buried cables, pipes and wires on your property? Contact Ontario One Call.
Contact utility companies (hydro, gas, water) separately and early in the process to set up services for the new unit.

Heritage and conservation

Is the property listed or designated under the Ontario Heritage Act? A heritage permit may be required.
Is the property located within the floodplain or located within the Credit Valley Conservation Area or Toronto Regional Conservation Area? A permit may be required.

Professional services

Have you retained services of a professional architect and/or engineer to prepare a site plan, building elevations, floor plans, and roof plans?
Have you acquired a legal survey of the property?

Builders and contractors

Is your builder/contractor licensed by The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA)?

Costs

Professional services (Architect, engineer, arborist, landscape architect, etc.)
Architectural and engineering drawings
City’s custom home review process and fee ($500)
City’s registration fee ($200)
City’s Building permit fee(s), starting at $1828.71
Utility and service upgrades
Construction costs such as building materials, fixtures and labour
Educational Development Charges (EDCs)
Securities ($5,000)

Where can I get more information on the current registration process for ARUs?

For additional information on the current registration process for attached ARUs, click here.

For more information on garden suites, please contact: GardenSuites.Review@brampton.ca

Can the City collect additional taxes from ARUs that are rented?

Property tax rates are not based on the number of people that live on a property and renting an ARU will not increase the property taxes that a City collects.

Will constructing an ARU impact my property taxes?

Many factors affect the value of a home, including location, floor area, lot size, quality of construction, number of bathrooms, etc. Information regarding the building permit for the ARU will be forwarded by the City to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which may result in a revised assessment value of the property, and an increase in property taxes. The revised assessment will depend on the size of the ARU, materials used, location of the property, etc.

Why has the City adopted policies to permit ARUs?

In 2019, the Province of Ontario introduced Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019, to expand the options municipalities have for providing a wide range of affordable housing in their communities and increase housing stock to address Ontario’s housing crisis. To comply with Bill 108, municipalities are required to amend their policies to permit additional residential units within an accessory structure on the same lot as detached, semi-detached, or townhouse dwellings.

In 2022, the Province of Ontario introduced Bill 23: More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, to introduce additional changes to ARUs Province-wide. Per Bill 23, ARUs are permitted as-of-right across Ontario, whether or not a municipality adopts an Official Plan Amendment and enacts zoning to recognize these units.

Will shipping container homes or mobile homes be permitted?

Shipping containers or pre-fabricated houses may be used as a form of a garden suite, subject to meeting zoning requirements and the Ontario Building Code. Mobile homes are not permitted as a form of garden suite. Any conversion of structures to a garden suite requires the same application process and fees.

Why are Additional Residential Units (Attached ARU and Garden Suites) required to be registered?

All ARUs are required to be registered with the City under the Additional Residential Unit Registration By-law.

The City’s registration process for ARUs is intended to make units safe, legal and livable. Completing the one-time registration process ensures the ARU meets all requirements under the Ontario Building Code or Fire Code, and local Zoning By-law.

Will I be able to convert my shed or detached garage to a garden suite?

Sheds and detached garages may be converted into a form of a garden suite, subject to meeting zoning requirements and the Ontario Building Code. Any conversion of structures to a garden suite requires the same application process and fees.

Resources

For additional information on the ARU Policy Review or to provide comments, please contact:

gardensuites.review@brampton.ca