5 Major Changes For Garden Suite ADUs Across Ontario

[@Nathan_Anderson]

This is indeed welcome news. It seems like many municipalities are doing what they can to limit secondary suites by creating onerous bylaws with the sole intent of making compliance next to impossible. A common hindrance being particularly rigid is parking. Good on the province!

[@suiteadditions]

I don't think it's intentional, it's just that sometimes there are unintended consequences of overly complicated bylaws. But yes good that the province stepped in on this one.

[@lvnotebook]

Great

[@jmtcheng11]

what about the footprint of swimming pool? will it be part of the 45% total coverage for building and structures?

[@leinad5243]

Did you find the link to apply for the 80k loan at 2% for 15yrs from the feds? Thanks Dan

[@jmtcheng11]

Given min separation requirement decreased from 5m to 4m, surprised that the distance for 2 storeys (6m height) is not decreased accordingly, like 7.5m to 6m.

[@Kaygee79]

Permits should get issued faster once these rules come into place. In Toronto if you get an Engineer to take responsibility for the full code design the city won't even check for code compliance anymore and leave it all on the Engineer and issue the permit once zoning is confirmed. Not sure if you've made a video on that new policy but worth diving into!

[@suiteadditions]

Not entirely true, even with an engineer most plans examiners will still review it. Although I think private plans examiners and inspectors (what they have in the US) would be good here.

[@Kaygee79]

@@suiteadditions When you say plans examiners yes the zoning examiners will review it. The new policy eliminates the building code plans examiner review and puts the full responsibility on the Engineer as long as they sign the new Assumption of Responsibility for Engineering Content. When a building code examiner receives this form they will just issue the permit with NO review. You should read that form. It literally eliminates the building code review process in this case.

[@suiteadditions]

​@@Kaygee79 Thank you for clarifying. We will review this.

[@spencerjean4232]

This is a huge step forward with the province recognising that more leeway is required for property owners. The % of built ADUs vs the submitted permits remains low. This combine with lower interest rate should provide some momentum in the development of ADUs.

[@suiteadditions]

@@spencerjean4232 Agreed....hope to see more units soon!

[@sumitparmar5053]

Hi! Do you handle ADU construction in Winnipeg? If not, could you connect me with a contractor who does?

[@toddyuill3924]

I have been fighting with my town for 6 years to put a 3rd apartment in a duplex they say the lot is too small but i own a 5 unit next door on a smaller lot 😂😂😂😂

[@gr743g43ggfb4]

The building codes are still too restrictive. If I own the land I should get to decide what I do with it, no one else.