Incentives for new Additional Residential Units
Apply Dec. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2026
If you’re a homeowner or a non-profit organization, you may qualify for fee waivers:
- ARU zoning clearance certificate
- ARU permit
Fill out the Pre-Building Approval application to start the process. Fees will be waived once your application is reviewed.
Apply for Additional Residential Units on your property
To apply for one or two ARUs on your property, you will need a building permit for a renovation or addition to your house or for an accessory building.
Your application will need to meet regulations and performance standards in our Zoning Bylaw for primary and accessory buildings and ARUs. This includes providing two parking spaces for a primary home, plus one parking space for each ARU. These regulations will help you understand what may be possible on your property. Please keep in mind not all properties will be able to have additional residential units.
The first step is to fill out our Pre-Building Approval application.
We have a checklist to help guide you through this process.
Below are some examples of different types of Additional Residential Units.
Why are Additional Residential Units being allowed? |
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To help with more housing options and supply throughout the province, the Government of Ontario has made some changes to the Planning Act, allowing two additional residential units (ARUs) on an urban residential lot with a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse. Across Ontario, up to three residential units on a residential lot are now allowed. To comply with these provincial changes, the City recently updated its Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Additional Residential Unit policies. This change supports the City’s Housing Strategy:
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Learn more about how the City is working to meet local housing needs in our Housing Strategy.