A Second Residential Unit, also known as a basement apartment, secondary suite, or in-law suite is a self-contained accessory dwelling located either within a single-detached, semi-detached, or row house dwelling or within a detached accessory building on the same property as the single-detached, semi-detached, or row house dwelling. A Second Residential Unit consists of a separate entrance, washroom, kitchen, and living area. To be considered a legal Second Residential Unit, the dwelling must meet applicable zoning and Building Code regulations in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions while integrating appropriately within the neighbourhood.

Second Residential Units are an affordable housing option that meets the needs of many households including seniors, extended families, smaller households and singles, people on low incomes, and in-house caregiver living arrangements. In addition, Second Residential Units can assist homeowners that need the additional rental income to enter or stay in the housing ownership market. From a neighbourhood sustainability perspective, Second Residential Units help to repopulate neighbourhoods where declining household sizes have reduced overall populations in locations where existing services and infrastructure capacity remains available.

Second residential units are permitted within the City as identified within the applicable zoning by-law. Please refer to the Second Residential Unit Area mapping here.

Second residential units are not permitted:

• In any cellar or basement within the lands identified as ‘Sewer Surcharging’ and ‘Sewer Surcharging (Combined Storm and Sewer Systems)’;
• On lands identified as ‘Sewer Capacity Limitations’;
• On lands identified as ‘Loughborough Lake’;
• On a lot containing two or more dwelling units, a garden suite, boarding house, or lodging house; and
• On lands subject to natural hazards or on any lands otherwise identified as a natural hazards area through a site-specific investigation or analysis.

An application for removal of a holding symbol is required for the establishment of a second residential unit in areas identified as ‘Water Supply/Water Quantity’ and ‘Servicing Capacity (Cana Subdivision)’.

A Second Residential Unit can have a gross floor area that is equal to or less than the gross floor area of the principal dwelling. In accordance with the zoning bylaw, gross floor area means the total area of each floor, above or below grade, including finished attic spaces,  measured between the outside of the exterior walls or between the outside of exterior walls and the centre line of party walls dividing the building from another building, but excluding:

• an open porch or balcony; and,
• areas internal to the building that are intended for the storage of vehicles.

Yes. All Second Residential Units are required to have a separate entry either from a common entrance vestibule within the principal dwelling or directly from the exterior of the building. Safe entrance and exit must be provided in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.​​​​​​​

Yes. A Second Residential Unit requires a minimum of one parking space that can be provided in a tandem (one vehicle behind the other) arrangement.​​​​​​​

Given that the City's historical land use planning framework did not typically include permissions for Second Residential Units, unless you have received previous zoning approval or the second unit has existed for a significant period of time, it is likely your unit is not legal.

If you are planning to continue occupation of your second unit you must ensure the unit meets appropriate Building Code and zoning requirements. Be aware that renovations may be required to bring the dwelling up to zoning and Building Code compliance. An inspection conducted by a Building Inspector will determine any existing deficiencies and any required renovations to meet the requirements.

Owners of illegal Second Residential Units who do not act in good faith to legalize their unit may be required to remove the unit and/or be subject to a fine.

To determine if your lot can accommodate a second residential unit, an individual analysis may need to be completed. A site-specific zoning by-law amendment may be required.

An application for removal of a holding symbol is required for the establishment of a second residential unit in areas identified as ‘Water Supply/Water Quantity’ and ‘Servicing Capacity (Cana Subdivision)’.

Yes. To assist emergency services, home delivery, and mail services the City will assign a new unit number through the building permitting and zoning review process to recognize your Second Residential Unit.​​​​​​​

Owners of Second Residential Units are subject to the responsibilities outlined within the Residential Tenancies Act.  Other property related requirements beyond the Building Code and zoning provisions, that all property owners must adhere to, include the City's Property Standards Bylaw which sets out standards for the reasonable upkeep and maintenance of buildings and properties including responsibilities such as yard maintenance and snow removal.​​​​​​​

Yes. An untagged bag of garbage will be collected at the curbside from a legally created Second Residential Unit.​​​​​​​