The City is introducing free, publicly accessible, standardized building plans for garden suites and laneway suites. These plans, prepared by the City, are compliant with the Ontario Building Code and available to the public at no cost. This new initiative aims to simplify construction and speed up the delivery of new homes in existing neighbourhoods by streamlining review timelines and reducing permit fees for eligible projects.
A garden suite is a self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as a detached house, semi-detached house, townhouse, duplex, triplex, fourplex, or apartment building and generally located in the rear yard. Access will be from the main lot or side yard. Laneway suites are self-contained residential units on the same lot on the rear of the property but face a public lane and has direct access to the laneway.
These pre-approved drawings have been reviewed by Toronto Building, and the designs of the buildings themselves have been found to comply with the Ontario Building Code and the City’s zoning by-law. However, although the design of the building itself complies with the Ontario Building Code and the City’s zoning by-law, there are still zoning and Ontario Building Code requirements that would relate to the placement of the building on the property and which would have to be reviewed as part of any building permit application submitted.
When submitting a building permit application using a pre-approved drawing, you will not be required to submit the pre-approved drawing with your application, but rather you will need only to reference the plan number.
If any modifications are made to the pre-approved plan selected, including HVAC or plumbing modifications, the plan will no longer be considered pre-approved, and this process for applying for a building permit will NOT apply.
Please visit our website for information on available designs, fees and instructions to apply for a permit to construct.