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Additional Residential Units

Additional Residential Units

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​DESIGNERS BULLETIN 2025_ADU_April 2, 2025_New Water Pipe Sizing Data Sheet.pdf​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Second and third units are permitted in detached, semi-detached and townhouse dwellings, subject to zoning requirements and restrictions. A second/third unit is a self-contained residential unit located within a principal dwelling. The unit may be in any part of the dwelling, including the basement. Additional residential units provide an affordable housing option.

A Garden Suite is ancillary to a single detached, semi-detached, or townhouse, that is located in a building detached from the principal dwelling and located in the rear or interior side yard, and which may be freestanding or attached to a detached private garage. The process to obtain a Garden Suite starts through the Planning Division rather than Building Division. After approval at Planning, a building permit application will be required.

To be legal, second units, third units and Gar​den Su​ites must be registered with the City of Brampton. These policies are intended to make units safe, legal and livable.

Map of registered Additional Residential Units​
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Changes to ARU Registration and Permit Requirements​​​

As of May 2023, the by-law allows for a maximum of 3 units (including the principal dwelling) on a property as a combination of the following:

  1. Principal Dwelling plus one attached second unit and one separate garden suite OR
  2. Principal Dwelling and one attached second unit and one attached third unit

If a second unit is already previously registered with the City of Brampton, customers can apply for the third unit. Or, customers can apply for a second and third unit together with one set of drawings.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​Property Surveys

When submitting a building permit application, the legal survey must be legible and include the signature and information of the surveyor who prepared the document. During permit submission, the document will be reviewed and determined if acceptable. If not acceptable, you will need to find an alternative method of locating a survey.   Please note: the City of Brampton does not maintain a record of surveys for all properties. 

​Is the property on Conservation Authority Lands? 

As of April 1st, 2024, the Conservation Authority Act was amended requiring approval by the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) or the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) when constructing an additional residential unit within the lands regulated by the conservation authorities. Your permit will not be allowed to proceed if approval is not granted by the associated conservation authority. To contact the conservation authorities, click the links above. ​ ​

Inspection Recall Fee for ARU Units

An Inspection Recall Fee applies to Additional Residential Unit (ARU) permits. ARU permits include Two-Unit and Three-Unit Dwellings, as well as Garden Suites.

  • If an inspection does not pass on two separate occasions, a fee will be charged​ for any following inspections.
  • The fees are intended to encourage inspection readiness and reduce repeat visits.
For more details, refer to the Inspection Recall FAQ and download the Inspection​ Recall Pamphlet​.​​​

Registration Process by Unit Type

Two Unit Dwellings
Three Unit Dwellings
Garden Suites
​

Quick Links

Contacts

​Phone: 3-1-1 (within Brampton) or 905.874.2401 (outside Brampton)

In Person:

City of Brampton Building Division
8850 McLaughlin Road, Unit 1 (Flower City Community Campus)
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Email: twounit.zoning@brampton.ca

Other Contacts

Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario
www.aato.ca

Brampton Fire Services
fire.prevention@brampton.ca
905.874.2740.​

Electrical Safety Authority
www.esasafe.com​
1.877.ESA.SAFE (372.7233)

Insurance Bureau of Canada
www.ibc.ca
1.800.387.2880

Land Registry Office
1 Gateway Boulevard, Brampton
905.874.4008

Ontario Association of Architects
www.oaa.on.ca

Ontario One Call (Call Before You Dig)
www.ontarioonecall.ca

Professional Engineers Ontario
www.peo.on.ca

Region of Peel Servi​ce (Water) Connection
siteplanservicing@peelregion.ca
905.791.7800 x7973​​​
​​

Additional residential units support the City’s Housing Strategy as they:

  • help provide a healthy supply of rental units
  • increase housing options

Learn more about how the City is working to meet local housing needs in our Housing Strategy​.

The ARU registration system was established to ensure that all ARUs are:

  • Safe and legal
  • Compliant with zoning by-laws
  • Properly documented to support emergency response
    • Unregistered units may face enforcement actions and potential insurance consequences. Enforcement could include fines and legal action.

When applying for a building permit, you must submit a legal property survey that:

  • Is clear and easy to read
  • Includes the surveyor’s name and signature

The City will review your survey during the application process. If it is not acceptable, you may need to obtain a new one.

Note: The City of Brampton does not keep surveys for all properties.

Yes, some properties require approval from a conservation authority before adding an additional residential unit.

You will need approval if your property falls within regulated lands governed by:

  • Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), or
  • Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

Your building permit cannot proceed without this approval.

An inspection recall fee is charged for ARUs (two-unit, three-unit dwellings, and garden suites) in the following cases:

  • If an inspection does not pass on two separate occasions, a fee will be charged for any following inspections,/li>
  • The fees are intended to encourage inspection readiness and reduce repeat visits

For more details, refer to the Inspection Recall FAQ​ and download the Inspection Recall Pamphlet​.

If the proposed ARU design does not conform to the Zoning By-law you may consider making an application to the Committee of Adjustment to request a minor variance. If approved, a minor variance can grant relief from the Zoning By-law requirements. For more information on the minor variance process, click here​. You can also email cao@brampton.ca​ for information.

The Building Code requires specific window sizes for different rooms in a dwelling. The minimum window size is based on the type of room and the associated gross floor area. If you plan to add a below grade entrance and stairs, you will need to consult an engineer or BCIN qualified designer for specifications.

Heritage properties are managed to conserve important cultural heritage attributes. If your property is on the City’s heritage registry it may require heritage approval. Learn more on our Heritage Identification​ page.

Brampton is committed to maintaining a healthy urban forest. That means protecting the trees on private property. For more information, click here​.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) uses current value assessment to analyze property sales in your community. Municipal property taxes may be adjusted for any renovations or additions if MPAC determines that the value of your home has increased. For more information about property assessments, click here​.

You should also notify your insurance company about your plan to build an additional unit. Your policy may need to be adjusted to reflect the changes in liability and the new value of your home.

​​The Zoning By-law does not require any additional parking spaces on a lot containing one ARU. However, on lots with more than one ARU, an additional parking space will be required to ensure there is at least one space for each unit. All required parking spaces must be located entirely with the boundaries of property on a permitted driveway or garage/ carport. Parking spaces cannot be located on the street or municipal boulevard.​

Yes, a new address for each ARUs in the City of Brampton is provided as a unit number depending on the type of unit as follows:

  • Secondary Unit – Unit 2
  • Third Unit – Unit 3
  • Garden Suite – Unit 4

If you have only a secondary unit and a garden suite, the unit numbering will remain Unit 2 for the secondary unit and Unit 4 for the garden suite. This helps emergency services identify the type of suite when responding to an emergency. Canada Post may not necessarily post the unit number on their website. Contact Canada Post at 1.800.267.1177 for more information.

Yes. All ARUs must be registered, regardless of who lives there. This ensures safety and emergency preparedness.

Yes. Although your Additional Residential Unit (ARU) is registered with the City of Brampton’s Building Division, owners and/or operators cannot rent or allow a unit to be occupied until a Residential Rental Licence (RRL) is obtained. The requirement for a rental licence applies to all properties across the City.

Renting without a licence is prohibited and may result in enforcement action. To apply for a Residential Rental License, visit www.brampton.ca/rrl​ Licence applications and renewals are free.

While compliance with the Electrical Safety Code is required any new construction, including an ARU, you do not need to submit your Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) certificate to the City of Brampton to finalize registration. The City will notify the Electrical Safety Authority on a regular basis about all new ARUs in Brampton.