How to Determine the Permissible Building Area for a Garden Suite in Ontario
Planning to build a Garden Suite on your property in Ontario but not sure what sizes and restrictions apply to your backyard? In this article, we will explain in detail how to take measurements and calculate the allowable building area yourself. By following the steps below, you can estimate the area that your Garden Suite can occupy on your property and ensure that your project complies with local regulations and laws.
Step 1: Determining the Backyard Area
The first step is to calculate the total area of your backyard. In the example provided in the document example, the backyard area is 1,351 square feet (or 125.51 square meters). You can use a similar method to determine the area of your yard by measuring its length and width and multiplying these values.
Step 2: Calculating the Maximum Area for the Garden Suite
According to Ontario regulations, a Garden Suite can occupy up to 40% of your backyard area. In the example given, 40% of the 1,351 square feet area is 540.4 square feet (or 50.21 square meters). This is the maximum area your Garden Suite can occupy.
Step 3: Determining Setbacks from Property Boundaries
It is important to observe minimum setbacks from property boundaries when building a Garden Suite. In Ontario, setbacks from side boundaries must be at least 4 feet (or 1.22 meters). If your lot is on a corner, the setback from the side facing the street should be between 9.84 and 19.68 feet (or 3 to 6 meters).
Step 4: Considering Height Restrictions
The maximum height for a Garden Suite in Ontario is limited to 13.12 feet (or 4 meters). It is also important to consider the roof’s angle, which should be 45 degrees.
Next Step: Ordering a Survey
After making general measurements and calculations to get an overall understanding of the possible building area, it is recommended to order a professional land survey from licensed surveyors. This will provide you with accurate and complete information about your property. Without a professional survey, you will not be able to obtain a building permit, as a survey plan is an essential part of the project documentation.
Keep in mind that this information is general, and each location may have its own rules and restrictions that need to be considered when planning construction.
Legislation and References
To ensure your project complies with all local regulations and laws, we recommend reviewing the Toronto Zoning By-Laws and the Ontario Building Code. These documents will help you understand all the requirements related to construction on your property and avoid potential problems with obtaining permits.
Conclusion
Understanding these steps and calculations will help you confidently plan the construction of a Garden Suite on your property. By following the above recommendations, you can independently determine the permissible sizes and ensure that your project meets all the requirements. However, to ensure accuracy and compliance with all local rules and regulations, be sure to conduct a professional land survey. Without this step, you will not be able to obtain a building permit. If you have any questions or need help with calculations, our experts at VIGO House are always ready to consult you.
Calculation example: you can see a step-by-step calculation and application of all the above rules in practice.
