Building more units on your property

If you own a detached, semi-detached or town home, you can build up to two additional residential units or a fourplex on your property. These units are self-contained suites that have cooking, living, sleeping and washroom facilities. Learn more about the types of units you can build, including our pre-approved plans.

Getting started

You need a building permit to build new units on your property. Zoning approvals, permit fees and charges depend on the number of units you want to build. There are also Ontario Building Code requirements that may have implications on the design of the building.

1. Decide how many units you want to build. You can build up to two additional units or a fourplex.
2. Review the zoning regulations outlined in the additional residential unit by‑law and the fourplex by‑law.
3. Find the zoning regulations for your property using the property information tool.
4. Work with a qualified designer to develop your design plans according to building code. Or choose one of our pre‑approved garden suite plans.
5. Gather the required documents for your permit application, including site plan, design drawings and applicable forms.
6. Log in to ePlans to submit your building permit application.