Toronto city council votes to allow garden suites on residential properties

Toronto city council has given the go-ahead for garden suites to be built across the city.

On Wednesday, city councillors expanded permissions to allow residents to build garden suites on residential properties.

According to the city, a garden suite is a housing unit “usually located in the backyard of an existing house, but separate and detached from the main house.”

The city said garden suites are “generally” smaller than the main house on the lot, and are often created as a way to house family members such as parents, grandparents or adult children. They can also be used as rental units.

The release said by adopting amendments to the city’s Official Plan and zoning bylaws, council has put policies in place to “increase the supply and type of housing available in the city.”