Accessory Apartments

Do I need to register my new accessory apartment?

When you complete the building permit process to add an accessory apartment, your house will automatically be registered as a two unit house. You will receive your certificate within 60 days of the building inspector closing your Building Permit. 

If you have an existing apartment in your house that is not registered (legalized) visit our Two-Unit Houses webpage.

How do I know if I can add an accessory apartment?

Generally speaking, an accessory apartment may be added to a property that meets the following zoning criteria:

• It is not located within the Accessory Apartment Restricted Area
• It is located within a R1, R2, R5, OSR-A, OS-ORM, AG-A, AG-B or AG-ORM Zone, as per the City's Zoning By-law 60-94, and provided that the following criteria is met:

• The main dwelling is a permitted use in the zone in which it is located
• The maximum number of accessory apartments permitted on a lot is one
• A minimum lot frontage of 11 m shall be provided
• The house must have been originally constructed as a single detached dwelling or a semi-detached dwelling (exceptions may apply)
• Parking requirements must be met as set out under Section 5.12 of Zoning By-law 60-94. View the Accessory Apartment Parking Guide
• You must maintain 50% of your front yard as landscape open space. Your porch, steps to the front door and any pavers to get to the door are considered landscaping. Your driveway is not. Therefore, your driveway cannot exceed 50% of your front yard

What if my property does not meet the zoning criteria to add an accessory apartment?

If your property does not meet the Zoning Criteria (11 m frontage or the third parking space) but you can prove the accessory apartment was created prior to June 23, 2014, you can submit a Two Unit Declaration with your Building Permit Application to be exempt from those two criteria.

If your property does not meet the zoning requirements of 11 m frontage or the required parking space, AND you cannot prove it was created before June 23, 2014, you may apply for a minor variance. 

What design requirements or building code items need to be met to add an accessory apartment?

Our plans examination staff cannot give detailed specifics for requirements needed for individual properties to meet Ontario Building Code to add an accessory apartment.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has prepared a guide Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House. This guide is a reference tool only.

Community members should contact a qualified designer to assist with the required building permit drawings to ensure that the accessory apartment complies with the Ontario Building Code requirements.

What else can affect adding an accessory apartment to my house?

Your property may be located within Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (C.L.O.C.A.) regulated lands or within the Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.) Highway Corridor controlled area. 

Please get in touch with these agencies to obtain a permit. 

How do I apply for a building permit to add an accessory apartment?

A building permit is required to construct an accessory apartment. Email your Building Permit Application to Building Permit and Inspection Services.

Please allow two business days after sending in a permit application to receive a response from our staff on acceptance and how to contact us for payment. 

If your property does not meet the zoning requirements of 11 m frontage or the required parking space you may apply for a minor variance.