Open House: Additional Residential Units

Public Consultation Session #1

Town of Stouffville’s Development Planning is hosting a Public Consultation Session in the Adult Program Room located at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Library (2 Park Drive) on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The purpose of this Public Consultation Session is to seek public input to inform zoning regulations to enable up to (3) Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on fully serviced residential lots as required to bring the Town’s Zoning By-law into conformity with Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

On November 28, 2022, Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 received Royal Assent. This bill is part of Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plan and aims to support the province’s goal to add 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2031. This Provincial Bill requires Ontario municipalities to amend local Official Plans and Zoning By-laws to allow:

Up to 3 Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on a parcel of residential land within fully serviced (municipal water and sewer) settlement areas. This can occur in two combinations:

• 2 ARUs within the principal residential building (detached house, semi-detached house, townhouse) plus 1 ARU in an accessory building;

• or 3 ARUs in a principal residential building (detached house, semi-detached house, townhouse) provided there is no ARUs in an accessory building.

Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

ARUs are commonly termed second suites, additional dwelling units, basement apartment, accessory apartments, in-law suites. They are self-contained residential dwelling units, with their own cooking facility, sanitary facility and sleeping area. They must be located within a principal residential building such as single detached, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling. Following the passing Bill 23 they can now be located in a detached accessory building (commonly termed garden suites, coach houses, granny flats, and laneway houses) within a permitted yard.

Visit townofws.ca/aru for more information. 

If you have any comments or questions, please contact the Brandon Slopack, Senior Planner, by email at brandon.slopack@townofws.ca or by telephone at 905-640-1900 ext. 2326.