On November 28, 2022, the Province of Ontario changed the Planning Act to permit additional residential units as-of-right in urban areas that have municipal water and sewage servicing. These changes are intended to increase housing supply in the province.

The Town of Milton is reviewing and updating its Official Plan policies and zoning by-law regulations to align with the provincial legislation and adequately regulate additional residential units (ARU).

Explore this page for opportunities to get involved and share your feedback to shape and inform this project. Provide your comments anytime throughout the consultation period by sharing in the Ideas section below or by directly contacting Town Staff.

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Additional Residential Units Examples

What are additional residential units (ARUs)?

“Additional residential units” (ARUs), as defined by the Planning Act, refer to a second and a third residential unit in addition to a primary residential unit, for a total of three units, on a residential lot containing a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse.

To constitute a “residential unit”, the unit needs to include a set of self-contained rooms containing kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities intended for the exclusive use of the unit. ARUs must adhere to Ontario Building Code and Fire Code requirements.

ARUs are also referred to as second units, secondary suites, accessory dwelling units, basement apartments, coach houses, laneway houses, garden suites, tiny homes, granny flats, in-law apartments or nanny suites.

ARUs Policies and Regulations Update

To learn more about the review of ARUs policies and regulations, visit the Additional Residential Units project page.