Toronto permits a detached additional home behind a house on many residential lots. There are two kinds, and which applies depends on the lot.
Laneway suites
A laneway suite is for a property that shares a property line with a public lane. City Council permitted laneway suites citywide on July 16, 2019, through Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments covering the R, RD, RS, RT and RM zones of Zoning By-law 569-2013. The detailed rules are in Chapter 150.8 of the by-law.
Garden suites
A garden suite is for a residential lot that does not abut a public lane. Council adopted the garden suites amendments on February 2, 2022, permitting them in the same residential zones subject to performance standards in Chapter 150.7. The City notes (as of October 16, 2026) that:
- One garden suite containing one dwelling unit is permitted.
- It cannot be severed onto a separate lot from the main house.
- Height is measured from average grade, and depending on the site it can be two storeys.
- Council adopted further changes on June 24, 2025, and provincial O. Reg. 462/24 (in force November 20, 2024) affects several of the zoning rules.
What this means for buyers
Neither type of suite can be sold separately from the house. If a listing mentions potential for a suite, that is a planning question about the specific lot, not a fact about the property. Confirm with Toronto Building or a planner before relying on it, and see multiplexes for adding units inside the main building.