Laneway Suites & Garden Suites in Toronto
Toronto allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on most residential lots. Here's what you need to know to build one.
What's the Difference?
Laneway Suite: A detached house at the rear of a property that fronts onto a public laneway.
Garden Suite: A detached house at the rear of a property that does NOT front onto a laneway.
Is Your Property Eligible?
Laneway Suite Requirements
- Property must abut a public laneway
- Laneway must be at least 3.5m wide (for fire access)
- Lot must be in a residential zone (R, RD, RS, RT, RM)
- Detached, semi-detached, or townhouse lot
Garden Suite Requirements
- No laneway required
- Lot must be at least 9m wide
- Must have 1.0m clear path from street to suite for emergency access
Size and Design Requirements
| Requirement | Laneway Suite | Garden Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Size | Lesser of 8% of lot or 60m² footprint | Lesser of 8% of lot or 60m² footprint |
| Maximum Height | 6.0m (2 storeys) | 6.0m (2 storeys) |
| Setback from Main House | 5.0m minimum | 5.0m minimum |
| Side Setbacks | 0.5m - 1.5m | 0.6m - 1.5m (based on frontage) |
| Car Parking | Not Required | Not Required |
| Bicycle Parking | 2 spots required | 2 spots required |
Angular Plane: Both suite types have angular plane restrictions (45° from abutting properties) to limit shadowing on neighbors.
Landscaping: Generally at least 85% of the area between the new suite and the main house must be soft landscaping.
Costs and Fees
Building Permit Fee
Based on size ($18.56/m²)
Development Charges
As of 2025/2026, the City has removed indexing and provides DC exemptions for ADUs and small developments (up to 6 units) to encourage housing.
Total Construction Cost (Typical)
"Made in Toronto" Pre-Approved Plans
To make building ADUs faster and less expensive, the City of Toronto offers "Made in Toronto" pre-approved plans for Garden and Laneway Suites.
- Faster Approval: The building design and zoning compliance are already reviewed.
- Lower Costs: Save thousands on custom architectural design fees.
- Verified Quality: Designs are guaranteed to meet Ontario Building Code standards.
* Note: You still need a site-specific building permit to account for your lot's unique setbacks and services.
The Permit Process
Pre-Application Consultation
Recommended. Meet with City staff to confirm eligibility and discuss your plans.
Hire a Designer/Architect
You'll need professional drawings. Budget $10,000-$25,000 for design.
Submit Building Permit
Apply through the City portal. See our step-by-step guide.
Review Period (House Stream)
Complete applications fall under the "House Stream,"which targets a 10 business day review. Complexity or zoning issues can still extend this to 30-60 business days.
Construction & Inspections
Build with licensed contractors. Schedule inspections at each stage.
See Approved Laneway Suites Nearby
Research what's been built in your neighborhood.