2025.PH23.1

Background

“A “garden suite” is a detached, self-contained ancillary living accommodation permitted on properties in residential zones in Toronto. Garden suites are usually located in the rear yard of properties and are generally smaller than the main house on the lot. [...] [G]arden suites are intended to provide an additional form of low-rise housing and increase housing supply within Neighbourhoods, while maintaining the natural environment, urban forest tree canopy, and soft landscaped character in rear yards. [...] Permitting additional opportunities for missing middle housing helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the efficient use of land and resources. Infill within the built-up area enables low carbon transportation choices, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Housing built in Toronto also reduces sprawl and transportation driven greenhouse gas emissions regionally.”

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

This item “introduc[ed] a series of garden suite-related amendments to reduce redundancies, improve clarity, [and] introduce flexibility while mitigating impacts from second storey massing.” This includes rear yard setbacks and more flexible options for multi-story construction to “reduc[e] development barriers and further encouraging the construction of garden suites.”

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Planning and Housing Committee