The city defines it as a self-contained suite that has cooking, living, sleeping, and washroom facilities. In other words, a person could live there separately and have access to everything they need for daily life.

ARUs can either be attached units within the primary residence (like a basement apartment) or detached units, often referred to as garden suites, built separately on the property.

These types of units are created by converting existing living space. They are cost-effective and permit times are typically quicker.

• Basement apartments
• Attached garage conversions
• Second floor conversions
• Rear or side additions to accommodate new units
• New builds designed with up to three units

Detached units (also known as garden suites, coach houses, tiny homes, or laneway suites), are standalone structures built separately from the main home. They can be one or two storeys depending on the size and type of your lot.

To be approved for a detached unit, your property will be required to have enough lot space to meet municipal regulations for setbacks, heights, and sizes.

You should expect garden suites to be more expensive to build compared to an attached unit which will have access to existing electrical, gas, and plumbing connections.

Some important considerations to note:

• This suite will require a separate municipal address for emergency and utility access
• It must comply with specific distance and size requirements, including a 1.2 metre wide and 2.1 metre high pathway for fire access

Here you can find additional information about building additional residential units in Mississauga.

The City of Mississauga is offering pre-approved studio and one-bedroom garden suite designs for homeowners who are interested in building detached units on their property!

Although you can design your own plan, using a pre-approved plan can save time and costs, and the municipality will typically review your application quicker than submitting a custom plan.

There are two pre-approved designs that you can choose from.

You can also customize the interior and exterior finishes without requiring changes to the pre-approved plans. These include siding materials, windows, doors, and flooring. The size and layout of the suite, such as wall, door, window and room locations, can’t be modified.

Homeowners will still need a site plan that clearly indicates property boundaries, the primary property, any other buildings on the property, and the driveway. It will also need to indicate zoning setbacks, lot coverage, fire access, and water services.

Here you can find additional information about pre-approved garden suits plans in Mississauga.

Starting January 15, 2025, homeowners are able to take advantage of mortgage financing in order to build secondary suites on their properties.

Here are the important things to note:

1. You can borrow up to 90% of the home’s post-construction value (what it will be worth after the secondary suites are added).
2. Properties valued at under $2 million are eligible..
3. Secondary suites cannot be used for short term rentals like Airbnb.
4. Borrowed funds can only be used for creating secondary suites.

You can find more details of this program here.

Building additional units on your Mississauga property is a great way to enhance property value, earn rental income, and help address the city’s housing needs. With the availability of pre-approved plans and new financing options, now is an ideal time to explore how additional units can benefit both your family and your community.

We are an award winning RE/MAX team, led by Gyanesh Paliwal, recognized as the #1 ranked Best Agent In Mississauga by RankMyAgent. With over 40+ years of combined experience in real estate, Team Paliwal consistently ranks among the Top 50 Teams In Canada, bringing expertise and experience to each client.

Our team has deep real estate experience in Mississauga and understands current trends, neighbourhood insights, and municipal programs that could be beneficial to you.

Whether you’re considering adding a secondary suite, buying your first home, or looking to invest, Team Paliwal is here to guide you through every step with expert advice and sincere service.

Contact us today for a free consultation and we’ll be happy to serve you.