Professional Architects in Pickering, ON

Basements are permitted in a laneway and garden suites. However, the expense associated with excavation, shoring, foundations, and drainage in the tight confines of a rear yard can inflate your project budget. A laneway/ garden suite cannot be subdivided into multiple units, but a basement may be a great option to provide additional storage, utility or expanded living space in some circumstances. More information on basements can be found here.

Garden and Laneway Suites are self-contained dwelling units, detached from the main house, typically located in a rear yard. A garden and a laneway suite can be used as a long-term rental accommodation, space for family, or for the main house tenant (as a guest house, work space etc.) Both garden suites and laneway suites must provide kitchen and bathroom facilities and may not be more than one dwelling unit. A laneway suite is situated on a lot that abuts a publicly designated laneway. A garden suite applies to properties that do not have public laneway access. Garden and laneway suites are regulated by two separate portions of the zoning by-law.

As with any construction project, costs vary depending on existing conditions, the building design, complexity, and size. Generally, laneway and garden suites cost significantly less than condos, and produce significantly more income than basement apartments or other types of secondary suites. Read here for more details on the costs to expect when building a suite. To inquire about municipal incentives, tax rebates or other incentive programs, please send us an email.

Any tree with a trunk measuring larger than 0.3m in diameter, measured 1.4m above grade is subject to protection by the Toronto Private Tree By-law. A protected tree will be subject to a tree protection zone, the size of which corresponds with the size of the trunk. The larger the trunk, the larger the protection radius. If your proposed construction encroaches within a protection zone, or requires the removal of a protected tree, a permit from Toronto Parks and Forestry will be required and evaluated based on an arborist report commissioned by the homeowner.

An LDA is short for Limiting Distance Agreement. This is an agreement with your neighbour to legally use your shared side yard for emergency access to the future laneway suite. This is required where your lot conditions do not provide sufficient clearance between the main house and the property line, but sufficient clearance is available between two neighbouring buildings (spanning over the shared lot line). This is a standard legal agreement that is made available by the city and registered on title. It does add some minor cost and time to the approvals process, however it is a straight-forward document that is specifically tailored to homeowners in this situation. Read here for more information.