UPDATE: Municipalities are constantly updating their Zoning By-Laws. Therefore, the specific documents referenced may be outdated.

Never assume that all Ontario Municipalities Zoning By-Laws are created equal.

The size and number of parking spaces allowed, limitations on gross floor area, and licensing / registration fees are only a few of the Zoning By-Law requirements that may differ from one City to the next. You need to know what’s required where when your planning to add a second suite to a property.

By extracting this information from 15 popular Cities among Real Estate Investors, I’ve given you the shortcut to finding their second suite Zoning By-Laws.

No need to thank me. Use this information and share the blog post with your network. That’ll be thanks enough!

1. Ajax Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Permitted in all residential zones (Excluding RM4, RM5, and RM6)

   • Minimum of three parking spaces (Two parking spaces for the Primary Unit)

   • Minimum size of 25 m² (269 sqft)

   • Additional dwelling unit’s floor area must be less than the Primary unit’s

Reference document: https://www.ajax.ca/en/home-and-property/resources/Building/Home-and-Property-Renovations/Accessory-Apartments-Guide.pdf

2. Barrie Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Second suites must be registered

   • Permitted in all residential zones (Only accessory dwelling units are permitted in RM1-SS)

   • One accessory dwelling unit and one second suite in the main building permitted per lot (3 units total)

   • Minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit

   • Tandem parking permitted

   • Parking spaces must be at least 2.7 m by 5.5 m each

   • Maximum front yard parking coverage ranges by Zone from 50% to 60%

   • Minimum size of 35 m² (376 sqft)

   • Hydraulic load calculations confirming compliance with Part 7 of the Ontario Building Code required in Building Permit submission

Reference document: https://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/Planning-and-Development/Pages/Zoning.aspx

3. Brantford Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Second suites must be registered

   • Detached, semi-detached, and row houses are eligible based on residential zone

   • One accessory dwelling unit and one second suite in the main building permitted per lot (3 units total)

   • One parking space required per unit (tandem parking permitted)

   • Tandem parking must be 2.75 m x 11.0 m

   • Not to exceed 50% of the total gross floor area or 110 m2 (1,184 sqft) whichever is less

   • Maximum of two bedrooms

   • Must maintain front yard landscape of 50%

   • Maximum lot coverage of 25% for an accessory dwelling unit

Reference document: https://www.brantford.ca/en/business-and-development/resources/Documents/ZoningByLaw-Section/Section-6—General-Provisions.pdf

4. Cambridge Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Permitted in all residential zones (unless Amended by City)

   • Detached, semi-detached and row housing permitted

   • An accessory dwelling unit is permitted under specific provisions

   • Second suites require 1 parking space per bedroom added (Tandem permitted)

   • No separate access to a municipal road is permitted

   • Maximum of 2 bedrooms

   • Minimum lot frontage of 11 m and lot area of 450 m2

   • Floor area not to exceed 40% of the total home

   • Must be serviced by municipal water and sewer of adequate size

   • Additional dwelling unit’s floor area must be less than the Primary unit’s

Reference document: https://www.cambridge.ca/Modules/Bylaws/Bylaw/Download/76fba47c-9d97-4b55-87ff-089403708e0a

5. Guelph Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Detached, semi-detached, and row houses are eligible based on residential zone

   • Second suites must be registered

   • Permitted in R.1, R.2, and R.3B residential zones

   • At least one legal, off-street parking space 3 m by 6 m located in a garage, carport, or side yard of the Primary structure

   • One additional parking space required for each additional dwelling unit

   • Each parking space can be stacked behind the legal, off-street parking space.

   • Exterior parking spaces must be at least 2.5 m by 5.5 m each

   • Must have a double driveway to avoid street accessibility issues

   • Not to exceed 45% of the total gross floor area

   • Maximum size of 80 m² (860 sqft) for accessory dwelling units

   • Maximum of two bedrooms

   • Accessory dwelling units must not occupy more than 30% of the yard space

   • Maximum height of accessory dwelling units is 5 m, and it cannot exceed the height of the main structure

Reference document: https://guelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/Accessory-apartment-registration-and-building-permit-information.pdf

6. Hamilton Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Detached, semi-detached, and row houses are eligible based on residential zone

   • Accessory dwelling unit and second suite in the main building are permitted

   • One parking space required for each dwelling unit

   • Minimum of 4 m between the principal dwelling and the accessory dwelling unit

   • Minimum of 5 m offset between the front of the principal unit and the accessory dwelling unit

   • Minimum of 7.5 m between the rear of the principal unit and accessory dwelling unit

   • Minimum landscaped area shall be provided and maintained in the rear yard for each accessory dwelling unit

   • Several stipulations pertaining to the unobstructed path to the entrance of an accessory dwelling unit based on proximity to lot lines, laneways, etc.

   • Maximum lot coverage of 25% for an accessory dwelling unit

   • The exterior appearance and character of the front façade must be preserved (additional front entrance may be permitted in specific use cases)

Reference document: https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2019-06-04/zoningby-law05-200-section4-generalprovisions-sep2021.pdf

7. Kitchener Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Detached and row house duplexes are allowed in zones R-2 through R-8.

   • Semi-detached duplexes are allowed in zones R-4 through R-7

   • Most detached, semi-detached and row houses are eligible to have accessory dwelling units on properties zoned R-1 through R-7

   • Two additional units per lot; in the main building, and an accessory dwelling unit are permitted

   • Minimum one parking space per unit (tandem parking permitted)

   • Minimum parking space size of 2.6 m x 5.5 m for outdoor spaces

   • Minimum parking space size of 3.04 m x 5.49 for indoor spaces

   • Widening of driveways is possible following City guidelines and separate permit approval

   • Minimum lot width 13.1 m (43 ft) and lot area of 395 m2 (4,251 sqft) required for accessory dwelling units

   • Accessory dwelling units must have full municipal services and be located in the rear yard a minimum of 0.6 (2 ft) m from property lines

   • Minimum 1.1 m (3.6 ft) wide unobstructed path to the entrance of the accessory dwelling unit from the street or sidewalk

Reference document: https://app2.kitchener.ca/appdocs/zonebylaw2019_proposed_amendments/PublishedCurrentText/Stage%202/SECTION%204%20-%20General%20Regulations//Section_4_Stage%202%20Proposed.pdf

8. London Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Detached, semi-detached, and row houses are eligible based on residential zone

   • One accessory dwelling unit and one second suite in the main building permitted per lot (3 units total)

   • Minimum one parking space required for each unit (tandem parking permitted)

   • Not to exceed 40% of the total gross floor area

   • Maximum lot coverage of 10% for an accessory dwelling unit

   • Maximum numbers of bedrooms permitted is specific to each lot (ie: if a property is permitted 5 bedrooms, it must be divided between secondary units, and not exceeded)

   • Exterior alterations to the front yard for a separate entrance is not permitted

Reference document: https://london.ca/sites/default/files/2021-09/Zoning%20By-law%20Section%204.pdf

9. Niagara Falls Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

   • Detached, semi-detached and row houses in a R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R1E, R1F,

   • R2 and R3 zones are eligible for an additional dwelling unit in the main building

   • Detached, semi-detached and row houses in R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R1E,

   • R1F, R2 and R3 zones are eligible for an accessory dwelling unit

   • Only one accessory dwelling unit or one additional dwelling unit is permitted per lot

   • Minimum one parking space required for each unit

   • Additional dwelling unit’s floor area must be less than the Primary unit’s

   • Not to exceed 40% of the total gross floor area

   • Minimum setbacks of 1.2 m (4 ft) from rear and side lot lines for accessory dwelling unit

   • Sufficient lot size to accommodate adequate parking, landscape and amenity areas

   • The overall appearance and character of the principal dwelling shall be maintained

Reference document: https://niagarafalls.civicweb.net/document/8124/AM-2012-014%20By-law.pdf?handle=C5CBEE4E6AA640FCBFDE4FF3899E3975

10. St. Catherine’s Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Detached, semi-detached and row houses are eligible

    • Only one accessory dwelling unit or one additional dwelling unit is permitted per lot

    • Maximum size of a additional dwelling unit is 60 m2 (645 sqft) or 40% of gross floor area, whichever is less (Maximum sizes may differ, consult special provisions)

    • No parking requirement for a additional dwelling unit

    • Maximum floor area of 105 m2 (1,130 sqft) or 40% of the gross floor area whichever is less

    • One parking space for an accessory dwelling unit is required

Reference document: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/documents/documentuploads/OfficialDocumentsAndPlans/doc_634989429038143340.pdf

11. Oshawa Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Second suites must be registered

    • Detached or semi-detached homes in zones R1, R2, R5, OSR-A, OS-ORM, AG-A, AG-B or AG-ORM are eligible

    • Ancillary dwellings are not eligible

    • Only one additional dwelling unit is permitted per lot

    • Minimum frontage width of 11 m (36 ft)

    • Must maintain front yard landscape of 50%

    • Minimum of 3 parking spaces (2 of which are accessible to the street at all times)

    • Minimum parking space size of 2.75 m x 5.75 m

Reference document: https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/resources/Constructing-an-Accessory-Apartment-in-an-Existing-House-Summary.pdf

12. Pickering Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Second suites must be registered

    • Detached, semi-detached and row houses are eligible

    • An accessory dwelling unit (ie: coach house) may be permitted on a lot provided there is only one accessory dwelling unit on the lot

    • Minimum distance of 0.6 m from the rear lot line and 1.2 m from the side lot line

    • Minimum 5.0 m setback from the main building on this lot and maximum 8.0 m in height

    • Minimum of 3 parking spaces

    • Maximum size of 100 m2 (1,076 sqft)

    • Additional dwelling unit must be smaller than the Primary unit

Reference document: https://corporate.pickering.ca/weblink/1/edoc/144449/By-law%207364-14%20-%20Seaton%20Zoning%20Final%20Approved.pdf

13. Waterloo Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Detached, semi-detached, and row houses are eligible based on residential zone

    • One accessory dwelling unit or one second suite in the main building permitted per lot

    • Minimum one additional parking space required (tandem parking permitted)

    • Not to exceed 40% of the total gross floor area

    • Maximum lot coverage of 10% for an accessory dwelling unit

    • Minimum setbacks of 0.6 m (2 ft) from rear and side lot lines for accessory dwelling unit

    • Minimum setback of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) from a building on an abutting lot

    • Maximum building height of 4.0 m (13 ft)

    • Must be serviced by municipal water and sewer

    • The exterior appearance of the front façade must be preserved

Reference document: https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/resources/Documents/Zoning-bylaw/Web-PDFs/2018-050/2018-050_General_Regulations.pdf

14. Whitby Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Second suites must be registered

    • Detached and semi-detached are eligible in certain zones

    • One n permitted per lot

    • Minimum frontage width of 10.5 m (35 ft) for detached homes

    • Minimum frontage width of 10 m (33 ft) for semi-detached homes

    • Not to exceed 45% of the total gross floor area

    • Must maintain 40% landscape in front yard

    • Must be serviced by municipal water and sewer

    • Minimum of 3 parking spaces (2 of which are accessible to the street at all times)

Reference document: https://www.whitby.ca/Modules/Bylaws/Bylaw/Download/2a904e41-5f73-4b41-ac2d-1197e057ef49

15. Windsor Second Suite Zoning By-Laws

    • Detached, semi-detached are row houses are eligible

    • Accessory dwelling units are permitted with certain stipulations

    • One accessory dwelling unit and one second suite in the main building permitted per lot (3 units total)

    • Minimum one additional parking space required

    • No additional parking spaces required for a third dwelling unit

    • Additional dwelling unit must be smaller than the Primary unit

    • Minimum gross floor area of 40 m2 (430.6 sqft) and maximum of 100 m2 (1,076 sqft)

    • Downspouts must be disconnected from municipal sewer system, a sump pump and a sanitary backflow valve must be installed when constructing lower level units

    • Minimum setbacks of 1.2 m (4 ft) from rear and side lot lines for accessory dwelling unit

    • Accessory dwelling unit must be connect to municipal electrical, water, and sanitary services

Reference document: https://www.citywindsor.ca/cityhall/By-laws-Online/Documents/BL%208600%20REVISED%20AUGUST%2024,%202021.pdf

…Let’s wrap this one up.

The information provided is intended to be a quick reference guide only. It is not proclaimed to be an all-encompassing list. Links to referencing documents have been included, so you may perform your own due diligence.

Much like the Municipality’s interpretation of provincial policies, everyone’s interpretation of the Zoning By-Laws and specific zoning provisions may be slightly different. If your interpretation is different from mine, let’s have a discussion about it.

Also, new proposals, amendments, and other minor changes can be enacted into law at any point in the future by Municipalities, so the above details may be outdated at the time of your reading.

If you intend on submitting your own permit drawings then please contact the City’s Planning and Building Department(s) directly to confirm any and all requirements for your specific project.

Hire an experienced professional, like Tri-City Builders, to manage this process for you. We’ll do the hard work, so you don’t have too.