View of a garden suite from the City of Toronto report.
By Denise Bacon
The Ontario Government Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, created quite a stir when passed in 2022. In essence, the province revised multiple laws, including Planning and Municipal Acts, to reduce barriers to building so as to quickly increase housing supply in Ontario. The province’s goal is to build 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2032.
There was a sense of panic in neighbourhoods across Toronto about buildings going up in backyards and laneways, creating all kinds of problems. Where would people park? What about privacy for neighbours with new buildings so close to their backyards? Too many strangers could come and go if these buildings become short-term rentals. There were many concerns at that time. The sky was about to fall!
Today, two years after Bill 23 was passed into law, the worries about garden suites have faded into the background.
In Centennial, at least one beautiful garden suite has been constructed and another is under construction. The only reason non-adjacent residents learned about these new structures was that the developer of one of these suites canvassed homes in the area to sell their building services.
Garden suites can be built in most cases with just a building permit and without zoning bylaw amendments. The structures need to meet all requirements around clearances, access and safety.
A garden suite in neighbouring Highland Creek has become a comfortable home to aging parents of the homeowners. This has been a wonderful solution to maintaining privacy for both families while being present to each other for love and support.
Garden suites can be a whole new view of the old idea of “It takes a village to support a family.”
Information on garden suites can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2022/law0100.pdf