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Waterfront Home Improvements
Garden Suite Build

Garden Suites in Toronto

A detached secondary suite at the rear of your property. For an aging parent, an adult child, or a long-term tenant, under the City of Toronto Garden Suites by-law.

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What a Toronto garden suite is

A garden suite is a self-contained detached secondary suite on a residential lot, allowed under the City of Toronto Garden Suites by-law. Most are one or two bedrooms, with kitchen, bath, and HVAC of their own. Many are used for an aging parent, an adult child, or a long-term rental.

What changes the price

  • Lot access for crane and excavator
  • Whether the existing electrical service can carry the new load
  • Foundation, slab versus full basement
  • Finish level, especially kitchen and bath
  • Mechanical, whether the suite needs a separate furnace and water heater

Frequently asked questions

Is my property eligible for a Garden Suite? +
Most residential properties across Toronto with a detached, semi-detached, or rowhouse main dwelling are eligible, provided the lot can support the suite within setback, height, and servicing rules. The feasibility study at step 2 confirms eligibility on your specific lot.
How is a Garden Suite different from a laneway suite? +
A laneway suite requires frontage on a public laneway. A Garden Suite does not. Garden Suites opened up far more Toronto lots to a secondary dwelling than the laneway-suite category alone. The bylaws are related but separate.
Do I need a Committee of Adjustment hearing? +
Many Garden Suites fit as of right within the City of Toronto bylaw and do not need a hearing. Projects that step outside the standard envelope (height, setback, footprint) typically need a minor variance and a Committee of Adjustment hearing. We tell you which path your project is on at the feasibility stage.
How long does the process take? +
From signed design contract to occupancy permit, most Garden Suites take 9 to 14 months, with permitting taking 3 to 6 of those months. Construction itself is typically 5 to 8 months. We do not promise a faster timeline than the City of Toronto allows.
Can the Garden Suite be rented? +
Yes. A Garden Suite is a legal secondary dwelling. You can rent it long-term, use it for family, or shift between the two as your needs change.
Can it be used as a short-term rental? +
The City of Toronto regulates short-term rentals separately from the Garden Suite bylaw. Short-term rental of a Garden Suite is generally restricted unless the suite is your principal residence. We will flag the current short-term rental rules at consultation and recommend you confirm with a City of Toronto short-term rental specialist.
Will building a Garden Suite affect my property taxes? +
Yes. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation reassesses the property after the suite is built. The increase typically tracks the assessed value added by the second dwelling. We can model an estimated annual property-tax delta during feasibility.
Do I need to live in the main house? +
The Garden Suite bylaw does not require owner-occupancy. You can rent both the main house and the Garden Suite, subject to any other municipal rules that apply to the main dwelling.
What about utilities? Do I need a separate meter? +
A Garden Suite can be metered separately or share metering with the main house. Separate metering simplifies tenancy. We will coordinate with Toronto Hydro and the relevant utility providers as part of the build.
Can I add a Garden Suite if I already have a basement apartment? +
Generally yes. Garden Suites are a separate category from basement secondary suites. A property can host both, subject to the specific zoning of your lot. Confirmed at feasibility.
What happens if a protected tree is in the way? +
Toronto Urban Forestry governs tree protection. Removal of a protected tree requires a permit and, in some cases, replanting. The build often designs around the tree rather than removing it. We coordinate the entire tree-protection process.
How does insurance work on a new Garden Suite? +
A new Garden Suite is a new dwelling, and Ontario treats new dwellings differently from renovations. The requirements that apply to your specific project are confirmed at the consultation, where we walk you through exactly how they work. On every project, Waterfront is fully insured.