Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are self-contained living units with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas. They are on the same property as a primary home, including single detached homes, semi-detached homes and townhouses. They can be inside or attached to a primary home, or in a separate accessory building like a detached garage.
Examples of ARUs are basement apartments, attached suites, permanent tiny homes and coach houses.
Apply for Additional Residential Units on your property
To apply for one, two, or three 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 Bylaws for primary and accessory buildings and ARUs. This includes providing two parking spaces for a primary home, zero parking spaces for the first ARU, plus one parking space for the second or third 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.
ARU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are Additional Residential Units being allowed? |
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To help with more housing options and supply throughout the province, the Planning Act now allows additional residential units (ARUs) on an urban residential lot with a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse. Additional residential units support the City’s Housing Strategy as they:
Learn more about how the City is working to meet local housing needs in our Housing Strategy. |