Additional Residential Units
Thank you for taking the time to learn more! This website is your one-stop-shop for information about the project, timelines, updates, and news about upcoming events.
Overview
The Ontario Planning Act permits up to two (2) Additional Residential Units (three (3) residential units total) where single-detached, semi-detached, and townhouses are permitted through zoning. The City of Markham is updating its Official Plan and Zoning By-Laws to allow up to three (3) Additional Residential Units (four (4) residential units total) on most residential properties where single-detached, semi-detached, and townhouses are permitted through zoning. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the City to create more housing options in Markham.
What is an Additional Residential Unit?
An Additional Residential Unit (ARU) is a separate living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. These units are often called a secondary suite, a basement apartment, a coach house, a laneway suite, a granny flat, or an additional dwelling unit.
Additional residential units can be:
- Attached to the main house, like in the basement or garage, or
- Detached, meaning they are in a separate, stand-alone building on the same property as the main house.
Background
The Ontario Planning Act allows property owners to have up to two (2) additional residential units (up to three (3) residential units total) on a single lot where single-detached, semi-detached, and townhouses are permitted through zoning.
The City is proposing to increase that number to three (3) additional residential units (up to four (4) residential units total) to help create more housing options within new and existing neighbourhoods.
Markham City Council endorsed a resolution in December 2023, directing staff to prepare amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-Laws to allow up to four (4) residential units (the main residential unit + three (3) additional residential units) on properties where zoning permits single-detached, semi-detached, and townhouses. This initiative is part of Markham's approved Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan.
In all cases, compliance with the Ontario Building Code, site servicing capacity, parking, setback, height, and lot coverage regulations would still be required. Additional residential units will not be permitted in some areas of the city due to environmental sensitivity constraints (see map).
How to Get Involved
We want to hear your thoughts on the Additional Residential Unit initiative, which will help meet the housing needs of people living in Markham now and in the future.
Here's how you can get involved:
- Sign up to get updates about the project.
- Explore the Documents and Resources section on the right side of this page to learn more.
- Attend the upcoming statutory public meeting to share your ideas and provide feedback.
- Email your comments to ARU@markham.ca.
