Here is the City of Toronto's zoning details. We work with the City to get all permits and approvals required before construction starts.

Building a garden suite is similar to building a custom house, depending on the size, design, finishes and services. It could range from little as $100,000 to $500,000. We will provide a detailed quote within 24hrs of our initial consultation.

Again, depending on the size and design, the end-to-end project could take anywhere from 2 to 6 months.

Our highest priority is to ensure customer satisfaction, as most of our business comes from referrals. We understand circumstances change; therefore, we divide the entire project into multiple phases. We give you the freedom to end the contract at any stage without any obligations.

We have experienced project managers that utilize the latest techniques and technologies for managing projects. At the beginning of each project, we create a dashboard in which you can track each phase and its status in real time.

A single garden suite containing a single unit is permitted on a property provided it meets all the applicable rules and regulations. The term "garden suite" is defined as a self-contained living accommodation for a person or persons living together as a separate single housekeeping unit, in which both food preparation and sanitary facilities are provided for the exclusive use of the occupants of the suite, and is in an ancillary building not abutting a lane.

Yes, basements are allowed by the City.

The maximum footprint (area the building covers) of a garden suite is the smaller of 40% of the rear yard area, and 60 square metres. The total area of a lot that all ancillary buildings and structures may cover, including a garden suite and any other sheds or garages, cannot exceed 20% of the lot area.

The interior floor area of a garden suite must be less than the gross floor area of the main residential building on the lot. The interior floor area of a garden suite includes the area of all floors of a garden suite.

A garden suite may be built up to a maximum height of 4.0 metres where the garden suite is located a minimum of 5.0 metres from the main residential building on the lot.

If a garden suite is at least 7.5 metres from the main residential building on the lot, the garden suite may be bult up to a maximum of 6.0 metres. However, this is subject to additional angular plane rules.

For an existing garage or shed (i.e. lawfully existing ancillary buildings), if the existing separation distance between the principal residential building and the existing building is less than the required minimum separation, then the existing separation distance is permitted to remain.

The minimum required side yard setback for a garden suite is generally the greater of 0.6 metres and 10% of the lot frontage, to a maximum of 3.0 metres.

Where openings such as windows or doors are proposed, the minimum side yard setback is the greater of 1.5 metres and the amount that is 10% of the lot frontage.

On a corner lot, the minimum side yard setback is generally the greater of 1.5 metres and the minimum required side yard setback for the main residential building on the lot.

If a garden suite on a corner lot includes a vehicle parking space, and the vehicle access is from the street abutting the side lot line, then the required minimum rear yard setback is 6.0 metres.

For an existing garage or shed (lawfully existing ancillary buildings), the minimum side yard setback is the existing setback of that building.

The minimum rear yard setback for a garden suite is generally 1.5 metres.

On lots deeper than 45 metres, the minimum rear yard setback is the greater of half the height of the garden suite and 1.5 metres.

On through lots, where the rear property line abuts a street, the minimum rear yard setback is the required front yard setback of any adjacent houses that face the rear street. If there are no adjacent houses, and the garden suite does not include a vehicle parking space, the minimum setback is 1.5 metres.

If a garden suite on a through lot includes a vehicle parking space, and the vehicle access is from the street abutting the rear lot line, then the required minimum rear yard setback is the greater of 6.0 metres and the required minimum front yard setback for a residential building on the adjacent lot that fronts on the same street that the rear lot line abuts.

For an existing garage or shed (i.e. lawfully existing ancillary buildings), the minimum rear yard setback is the existing setback of that building.

On lots with a frontage greater than 6.0 metres, at least 50% of the rear yard area, including the area covered by a garden suite, must be soft landscaping.

This summary is not intended to be exhaustive of all situations and is subject to change. Each situation should be carefully reviewed against the specific provisions of the By-law.

On lots with a frontage of 6.0 metres or less, at least 25% of the rear yard area, including the area covered by a garden suite, must be soft landscaping.

No parking spaces for cars are required to be provided for a garden suite. A minimum of two bicycle parking spaces are required for a garden suite