Back to Search
Burlington, Ont.—Nov. 21, 2023— To help with more housing options and supply throughout the City of Burlington, City Council approved a motion to declare its intention to allow four residential units per lot. This direction supports the City’s Housing Strategy to:
- help with a healthy supply of rental units and
- increase housing options.
This direction also builds on the City’s recent update to its Additional Residential Unit policies which now allow up to three residential units per urban residential lot. There will be community engagement on property criteria for ARUs and before more changes are made to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow up to four units.
What are Additional Residential Units (ARUs)?
Additional Residential Units 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, tiny homes and coach houses. The Additional Residential Units page provides details about how to apply for an ARU on your property.
Get Involved
Residents will be invited to join staff in their work to change policies and regulations to allow four units per lot. Staff will also consult with the public in their review of the existing standards in the City’s current zoning bylaw for ARUs. This may include what might be allowed for the height of accessory buildings with ARUs, such as detached garages, or parking space requirements.
Updates and opportunities to get involved in 2024 will be posted on the Housing Strategy Get Involved page.
Burlington is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
Quick Facts
- In November 2022, The Government of Ontario passed Bill 23. This included 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 updated its Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Additional Residential Unit policies. These updates are in alignment with the City’s Housing Strategy.
- In the 2022 federal budget, the Government of Canada created the Housing Accelerator Fund to provide incentive funding to local governments encouraging initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply.
- In August 2023, the City of Burlington submitted its application to the Housing Accelerator Fund for approximately $40,000,000 and its approval is expected to be contingent on allowing four units-as-of-right on residential lots.
Quote
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“Burlington City Council unanimously voted to allow four units as-of-right on any residential property. This is key to adding much-needed housing in our community. We know the City of Burlington has a role and opportunity to address providing affordable and attainable homes, and a wider variety of housing types. Our first ever Housing Strategy, released last June, emphasizes this commitment to realize our housing goals of 29,000 units by 2031. Allowing four units as-of-right will be pivotal in adding much-needed housing in our community through sensible development and growth.
We will create a made-in Burlington solution to accommodate these units in an appropriate way in our city, with consultation with our community. Everyone who wants to live in Burlington deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Links and Resources
Housing Strategy Get Involved page
-30-
Media contact:
Carla Marshall
Communications Advisor
carla.marshall@burlington.ca
Subscribe