Toronto homeowners can now legally build apartment suites in their backyard
A new ruling has made it officially legal for Toronto residents to build backyard or garden suites as a form of housing.
Garden suites are a secondary structure built on the property of another home. The city says they are “generally” smaller than the main house on the lot, and are often created as a way to house relatives, or as rental units.
In Feb., Toronto City Council passed a bylaw that would allow for the structures to be built on resident’s property.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
However, shortly after, the bylaw was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) by a group of Toronto resident associations dubbed ‘Building Better Neighbourhoods.’
“In its appeal, the alliance argues the City clearly over-reached Provincial regulations that limit garden suites to single detached, semi-detached, and townhouses,” the group said in a statement issued on March 8.
But, on June 2, the OLT dismissed the appeal, rendering the form of housing legal.
“This is good news and it will help get some more housing built,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement included in the release.
“Allowing garden suites across Toronto is a key step forward in expanding housing choice within the City’s neighbourhoods and creating a more inclusive and resilient city for current and future residents.”
According to the release, those who want to build a garden suite, sometimes referred to as a coach house, will need to ensure it meets building code, such as maximum building height.
If so, residents will only need to apply for a building permit in order to go ahead with their build.
Conversely, any garden suit that doesn’t meet Zoning Bylaw requirements can seek a minor variance application through the Committee of Adjustment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.