Second or ‘Secondary’ Suites are self-contained residential units which are generally allowed in single detached, semi-detached and townhouses. They are also allowed in ancillary structures (i.e. Garage, laneway house or garden suite). Many clients add a secondary suite to their basement or above a detached garage (laneway project) to create additional revenue.
Are you thinking of building a Second Suite on your property? Landlord’s Self-Help Centre, a non-profit specialty community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario and mandated to provide support exclusively to Ontario’s small landlord community has created this very informative document: Creating a Second Suite Guide
Additionally, to tackle the ‘housing supply’ crisis that is currently plaguing the GTA, the city of Toronto is making concrete steps to advocate loosened rules around secondary suites as this CBC News article explains: Loosened Rules Proposed for Secondary Suites
However, most existing properties will require modifications to incorporate the requirements of a secondary suite. We are here for you in developing a new or legalizing an existing secondary suite, including a ‘laneway suites project’.
What are Laneway Suites?
A laneway suite is a self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse, and generally located in the rear yard next to a laneway.
Laneway suites are generally smaller in scale and completely detached from the main house on the lot.
Laneway suites may provide new rental housing opportunities within established neighbourhoods, providing a wider range of low-density housing options while enhancing neighbourhood and community character. The City of Toronto has instituted the ‘Changing Lanes Program’, specifically designed to encourage and regulate this housing supply option for its residents. Find out more information about this program here: City of Toronto Changing Lanes Program
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