Laneway and garden suites
Detached backyard homes for family or rental income, from eligibility check to occupancy.
A laneway or garden suite is a small, complete house in your backyard. It’s also a full construction project: foundations, framing, envelope, mechanicals and finishes, built in a tight space, often with limited access and with services run from the main house or the lane.
Toronto has permitted laneway suites since 2018 and garden suites since 2022, and the province now allows one detached unit on most urban residential lots. We check your lot’s eligibility, take the suite through design and permits, and build it.
What we take care of
All of it under one contract, managed by a dedicated project team.
Eligibility review
Lot size, rear yard depth, separation from the house, fire access and trees checked against current rules.
Design and permits
Architectural and structural drawings, the building permit and any variance if the lot needs one.
Servicing
Water, sewer and power run from the main house or the street, sized for a separate dwelling.
Construction
Foundations, framing, envelope and finishes, planned around tight access and neighbours on three sides.
How your project runs
Five defined stages, from the first site visit to final sign-off.
- 01 / 05
Consultation and site visit
We meet at your home to understand your goals, assess the structure and mechanical systems, and outline what can be achieved within your budget.
- 02 / 05
Design and written quote
Drawings, selections and an itemized quote. Items not yet selected are listed as stated allowances, and every payment in the contract is tied to completed work.
- 03 / 05
Permits and preparation
We manage engineering, permit applications and utility locates, and order long-lead materials early so the schedule never waits on a delivery.
- 04 / 05
Construction
Your project manager coordinates every trade and inspection and sends a written progress update each week. Any change is priced and approved in writing before work proceeds.
- 05 / 05
Handover and warranty
We walk the finished project with you, resolve every deficiency and provide your warranty documents. After you move in, our team remains your point of contact.
How long it takes
Typical for this kind of project in the GTA. Permits are the least predictable part, especially if a variance is needed.
- Feasibility and design 8–16 wk
- Permits 10–20 wk
- Construction 24–36 wk
Good to know before you start
Fire access matters
Emergency access to the suite, through the lane or along a side path, is one of the first things a plans examiner checks.
Development charges are waived
Under provincial rules, an additional unit in an accessory building on an eligible lot is exempt from development charges.
Rules differ by city
Toronto’s laneway and garden suite by-laws are the most detailed. Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan permit accessory units under their own zoning rules.
Common questions
Is my lot eligible?
It depends on lot depth, distance from the house, firefighter access and protected trees. Send us your address and a survey if you have one, and we’ll check eligibility before you pay for design.
Can I sever it and sell it separately?
Generally no. Laneway and garden suites stay on the same lot as the main house and can’t be sold on their own.
Can I rent it out?
Yes. Many owners build one for rental income; others build for family, such as aging parents or adult children who want independence close to home.
How are services connected?
Water, sewer and power usually run from the main house, sometimes with upgraded capacity. The length and route of those runs is one of the biggest cost factors, so we plan them early.
Are development charges waived?
Under provincial rules, an additional unit in an accessory building on an eligible lot is exempt from development charges. We confirm the current requirements with the municipality during design.
How long does it take?
Typically 8 to 16 weeks of design, 10 to 20 weeks for permits, and six to nine months of construction. We give you a realistic schedule once we’ve reviewed your lot.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Our team is happy to talk it through.
Further reading
-
Permits and rules Find out how many units you can build on your GTA lot in 2026 Basement suites, garden suites, multiplexes and sixplexes: what Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan allow in 2026, including Markham’s fourplex veto. -
Costs What a laneway or garden suite costs in Toronto All-in costs for laneway and garden suites in Toronto and the GTA, what drives them, and how to check whether your lot qualifies before you spend on design. -
Suites and units Use your mortgage to pay for a basement or garden suite CMHC-insured refinancing lets GTA homeowners borrow up to 90% of a home’s value once a suite is built. Plus: the $80,000 federal suite loan isn’t available. -
Suites and units Basement suite or laneway suite? Choosing for a Toronto lot A side-by-side comparison of basement units and laneway or garden suites in Toronto: cost, timeline, rent, livability and which lots suit each. - Suites and units Adding a second or third unit in Markham, Richmond Hill or Vaughan What Ontario’s rules allow on a York Region lot, the code requirements for a legal unit, and how to choose between a basement unit and a garden suite.
-
Design Designing a home for three generations in the GTA How GTA families design for three generations under one roof, from main-floor suites and second kitchens to legal units, privacy and accessibility.
Other services
- Custom homesNew homes built on your lot.
- Home additionsSecond storeys and rear extensions.
- Whole-home renovationsNew layouts for the whole house.
- Kitchen renovationsKitchens planned around how you cook.
- Bathroom renovationsWaterproofed, ventilated, built to last.
- Basements and second suitesFinished basements and legal suites.
- Trades and repairsFlooring, tile, drywall and paint.
- Not sure which you need?Tell us your plans and we’ll advise.
Have a project in mind?
Book a consultation with our team. We’ll assess your home, review the options with you and follow up with a detailed written quote.