Accessory Dwelling Units

Minimum requirements:

• Lots must be in a residential small-scale zone (RS1, RS2, RS3, or RS4) and not contain a duplex or triplex.
• An ADU must be situated so as to allow a minimum 1m wide unobstructed and paved firefighting access path from the ADU entrance to a street abutting the lot. No projections or encroachments, such as basement access wells, window wells, bump outs, parking spaces, or garbage storage areas, are permitted within this pathway area.
• The lot must allow for an unobstructed path of travel from the ADU entrance to:
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  • a fire hydrant not exceeding 90m; and
  • a portion of road or lane accessible to a fire truck not exceeding 45m.

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Height

• The maximum height of a coach house is two storeys and:
  • Up to 8.5 m (27.9 ft) to the peak of the roof if the roof slope is 9 in 12 or greater; or 7.5 m (24.6 ft) with a lesser slope.
  • Basements are permitted to maximum of 50% of the floor area of the dwelling unit. Basements are considered a storey.
  • Crawlspaces are permitted, but are limited in height to 1.5 m (4.9 ft.). Crawlspaces are not considered a storey.

Outdoor Space

• All ADUs must provide a minimum of 15 m² (161.5 sq.ft.) of private outdoor space.

Parking

• An ADU requires one independently accessible parking space (not tandem with the parking of any other dwelling) located either in a garage or a parking pad.
• An ADU may have an attached garage or carport. The garage or carport attached to an ADU is not counted towards the max. 90 m2 floor area for ADUs, however, is counted towards FAR.

Setbacks

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Building Design Guidelines

• The building’s appearance is secondary or accessory to the principal dwelling.
• The building design is compatible with the principal dwelling.
• Architectural elements are appropriately scaled to the overall building form.
• Windows and skylights promote natural lighting.
• The design, siting and orientation of windows, balconies, patios and decks provides for visual privacy between adjoining properties.

Scale, Massing and Building Orientation

• Balconies cannot exceed 7.5 m² and are not permitted on the rooftop of the uppermost storey.
• Stairs to a second storey must be enclosed within the building.
• If on a corner lot, the front door must face the flanking street.
• The floor area of a second storey must be stepped back to reduce the bulk of the building
• For a lot with lane access, the building façade facing the lane must include architectural elements to avoid the appearance of a blank wall and to minimize the visual impact of garage door(s)

Landscaping and Screening

• Any open parking space must be screened with landscaping or fencing.
• There must be at least two trees on the lot.
• Garbage and recycling space must be provided in a designated area that is screened from patio areas and the lane, or located in an accessory structure or garage

Preapplication Process

After determining that a lot can meet the requirements, an applicant should follow these steps.

• Consider project costs such as:
  • Cost of construction
  • Connecting services / utilities from main house
  • Potential improvements to services (e.g., water)
  • Potential driveway widening
  • $1,100 Development Permit fee
  • $2,500 refundable landscaping deposit
  • Building Permit fee based on the value of construction
  • Service connection fees from utility providers
• Develop a design that meets the zoning, design and landscaping requirements.
• If a development is within 50 meters of a watercourse, contact the Planning Division to confirm if a Watercourse Protection Development Permit is needed.
• Discuss the proposed design with neighbours, and ask if they have any concerns. Give particular attention to how windows, balconies and lighting would be oriented.

Approval Process

• Submit a complete Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) Development Permit (DP) application [PDF/385KB]. (To streamline the review process, consider submitting a Building Permit application concurrently. This can also be done after the Development Permit is approved, although it will extend the approval timeline.)
• Staff will review the Development Permit application and may request changes if it does not comply with the design guidelines or there are building issues.
• The DP application will be forwarded to the Director of Development Services for approval.
• Submit a refundable $2,500 landscape security.
• The Building Permit can only be issued after Development Permit approval, and the Building Permit drawings must reflect the approved design.
• Once both the Development Permit and Building Permit are issued, start building!