Adding an Accessory Apartment to a House
Adding an Accessory Apartment to a House
What is an accessory apartment?
Zoning By-law 60-94, as amended defines accessory apartment as:
“ACCESSORY APARTMENT” means a self-contained dwelling unit, within a single detached dwelling or semi-detached dwelling.
An accessory apartment is an apartment in an existing single detached dwelling or semi detached dwelling. Once added, these houses can be called a single, or semi detached dwelling with an accessory apartment or a two unit house. All two unit houses must be registered with the City of Oshawa.
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 Registration of a Two Unit House 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, provided that the following criteria are 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 (1); and
- A minimum lot frontage of 11 meters 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 as set out under Section 5.12 of Zoning By-law 60-94 must be met. See Accessory Apartment Parking Guide.
- You must maintain 50% of your front yard as landscape open space. Your porch, steps to 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?
Note: If your property does not meet the Zoning Criteria (11m frontage or the third parking space) but you can prove it 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 11m frontage or the required parking space, AND you cannot prove it was created prior to June 23, 2014, you may be interested in applying for a minor variance.
What design requirements or building code items need to be met to add an accessory apartment?
Our Plans Examination staff is unable to give detailed specifics for what requirements are needed for individual properties to meet Ontario Building Code to add an accessory apartment, therefore 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, therefore we recommend that you contact a qualified designer to assist you with the required building permit drawings to ensure that your accessory apartment complies with the Ontario Building Code requirements.
What other items can affect adding an accessory apartment to my house?
Your property may be situated within Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) regulated lands or within the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Highway Corridor controlled area. Please contact these agencies to obtain a permit if required.
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 application to [email protected]. Please allow for 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 11m frontage or the required parking space you may be interested in applying for a minor variance.
Forms to get you started:
- Permit application form, submit it along with your permit plans and pay a permit fee
- Owner's authorization form will be required if you are not the property owner
- Two Unit Declaration