Ontario’s Strategic Embrace of Garden Suites: A Key Step in Housing Innovation
If you’ve been following Ontario’s housing updates, you’ve probably noticed a lot of buzz about garden suites lately. These compact, backyard homes are quickly becoming a cornerstone of the province’s plan to tackle housing shortages—and for good reason.
In this post, we’ll break down what garden suites are, why Ontario is supporting them, and what it means for homeowners, renters, and communities.
What Exactly Are Garden Suites?
Garden suites are self-contained, detached homes built in the backyard of a single-family property. Think of them as “tiny homes” or secondary houses that share the lot with the main residence.
They’re different from laneway houses (which require rear-lane access). Instead, garden suites can be built on most residential lots, making them a flexible option for homeowners looking to add living space or rental income.
Ontario’s Support: The Policy Shift
Ontario has been pushing for gentle density—adding homes without drastically changing neighbourhoods. That’s where garden suites come in.
Here’s what the province has done recently:
- Updated Planning Rules: Homeowners can now have up to three residential units on one property (the main house + two accessory units like a basement apartment and a garden suite).
- New Provincial Regulation (O. Reg. 462/24):
- No more strict angular plane rules (design flexibility for taller walls).
- Larger footprint allowed—up to 45% lot coverage.
- A required 4-metre separation between the main house and the garden suite.
These changes are all about making garden suites easier—and cheaper—to build.
Toronto Leading the Way
Toronto has been at the forefront through its Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program.
- 2022: City Council officially legalized garden suites across most neighbourhoods.
- 2023: The Ontario Land Tribunal upheld the by-law, dismissing appeals from residents’ groups.
- 2024–25: The city tracked results—244 applications came in, with dozens of permits issued and suites under construction. Only a handful of trees were removed, showing that environmental impact has been minimal.
- 2025: New by-law tweaks are in the works: higher height limits (up to 6.3 m), more flexible setbacks, and updates to align with the province’s latest rules.
Why Garden Suites Matter
Garden suites aren’t just about squeezing in more houses—they bring some big benefits:
- Boost Housing Supply: More units mean more rental options and opportunities for affordable housing.
- Help Homeowners: Add a rental suite for extra income or create space for family members.
- Support Multigenerational Living: Perfect for aging parents, adult children, or even caregivers.
- Protect Neighbourhood Character: Unlike high-rises, these blend into backyards without big disruptions.
- Streamline Development: As-of-right zoning means less red tape and faster approvals.
What’s Next?
Expect to see:
- More municipalities across Ontario updating their zoning to align with the province’s changes.
- Toronto finalizing its new by-law amendments in late 2025.
- Continued monitoring on permits, tree protection, and neighbourhood impacts.
Final Thoughts
Ontario’s support of garden suites is more than a policy tweak—it’s a practical response to the housing crisis. By opening the door to backyard homes, the province is encouraging gentle, sustainable growth that helps homeowners and renters alike.
If you’ve got a backyard and you’ve ever wondered about building a secondary unit, now might be the perfect time to explore your options.
