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The maximum height of accessory buildings with a flat roof may be increased to 8 metres (26 feet) through minor variance to permit a second unit above a garage.
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A single Private Drain Connection (PDC) per property.
Shared Rental Housing
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The addition of one or more dwelling units does not change the total number of lodgers (i.e. persons that may be provided with lodging for hire) within the entire residential dwelling (i.e. both primary and additional units). Currently, more than three lodgers requires a property to be zoned and licensed for use as a lodging house.
Summary of Zoning By-law Amendment
The amendment to Zoning By-law 8600 (attached as Appendix B) gives effect to the policies contained within OPA 130 in accordance with Section 35.1 (1) of the Planning Act. In addition to permitting additional residential units in conformity with the policies set out in OPA 130, the zoning amendment provides further details regarding the maximum gross floor area (GFA) of an additional residential unit and specifies if an additional parking space is required.
OPA 130 indicates that the Zoning By-law may regulate the size, height, setbacks, and GFA of the additional unit. Accordingly, the zoning amendment contains provisions limiting the GFA of an ADU to not more than 100 square metres (1,076 square feet). This is in line with other Ontario municipalities which typically limit the size of second units to between 80 – 100 square metres (861 – 1,076 square feet). The minimum dwelling unit size currently set out in the Zoning Bylaw (i.e. 40 square meters) is retained.
The zoning bylaw amendment increases side and rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings with an ADU. Current zoning setbacks for accessory buildings in residential districts are 0.6m. Increased side and rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings that include a dwelling unit to 1.2m would align with Building Code requirements and to help set back massing of a new building.
An increase in maximum height of accessory buildings is proposed to improve buildability. Maximum height of flat roof structures would go from 3.0m to 6.0m. Sloped roof structures go from 5.5m to 8.0m. These increases in as-of-right allowed height will allow a second storey for units above a garage, which is a popular built form in other jurisdictions across Canada. Initial consultation with home owners and building