What is a Garden Unit in Toronto Area?

What is Garden unit Toronto Area

A “Garden Suite in Toronto Area” is a small, self-contained living unit in a building, usually in the backyard, and separate from the main house.On February 2022, Toronto City Council approved changes to the rules to support Garden Suites. These changes aim to provide more housing options in the city, allowing garden suites in most residential areas across Toronto.

You must maintain these items for a Garden unit in Toronto Area:

• A path at least 0.9 meters wide and 2.1 meters high on your property or through an agreement with your neighbor. Hydro and gas meters can extend into this path.
• If you cannot provide this 0.9-meter-wide path, you can share it with a neighbor through an agreement with the City of Toronto.
• The path from the public street to the garden suite entrance must be no longer than 45 meters. A fire hydrant must also be within 45 meters of where a fire truck would park in front of the property or at a nearby street intersection

• Regular questions:

  Do I need a building permit to construct a garden or laneway  suite?

  Yes, you need a building permit to build a garden suite. Your garden suite must follow zoning laws, the Ontario Building Code, and tree regulations. You'll need drawings and information from a designer or architect. For more details on the permit process, visit Toronto Building.

  Can my garden suite /Lane way unit be two-storeys?

  Yes, a garden suite can be two-storeys if it meets the height, setback, separation distance, and angular plane.

  Can my garden suite/Lane way unit have a basement?

  Yes, garden suites can have basements.

  What is included in the interior floor area calculation?

  Interior floor area includes all parts of a building measured to the interior side of a wall. This includes the basement and any "open to below" spaces. The basement floor of the primary dwelling is excluded from the gross floor area in a residential zone.

  What is included in the lot coverage calculation?

  Lot coverage includes any part of any building or structure on or above the lot surface, such as the primary dwelling, garden suite, or ancillary buildings. This also includes any overhanging parts and large decks/platforms.

  Are severances permitted for properties with a garden suite?

  No, you cannot divide land to put the primary dwelling and garden suite on separate lots.

  Where should my utilities be connected to?

  Utilities like water and sewer should connect from the primary dwelling.

  Can I convert my existing garage/ancillary building into a garden suite?

  Yes, you can convert existing garages or ancillary buildings into garden suites if they meet size requirements and were built with a permit. They must still follow other zoning rules like height and floor area.

  Can I have more than one unit in my garden suite?

  No, only one unit is allowed in a garden suite.