Fact or Fiction?

Hi Andrew! Thanks for submitting your question to this project. 

The 4-Unit Dwelling proposal does not currently include updates to the Keeping of Hens bylaw (Bylaw 7.3(9)). At this time, the keeping of hens remains restricted to single detached homes, and there are no planned changes to expand this allowance to additional dwelling types. Regarding priority between existing hens on lots with single detached homes and new secondary dwelling unit permits, this will depend on specific zoning and bylaw enforcement considerations.

Thank you for your question Gracey! 

The intent of the new zoning bylaw amendment is to enable increased housing options while meeting federal funding commitments. The City is not mandating property owners to increase density on their property. Projecting the exact number of potential new units would not be practical as individual landowners would ultimately decide how to approach this type of gentle density opportunity. There are also a number of different variables that could affect density (i.e. lot standards, lot coverage, parking standards and unit size). Based on this, it is not considered to be reasonable for the City to try and speculate the number of units that may ultimately be created City wide.

Hi Marion! Thank you for submitting this question! 

SDUs (secondary dwelling units) are a great option for multi-generational living and 4 dwellings offer additional flexibility and housing options. Here's how they differ:

1.    Multi-Generational Living – While granny suites are a good option for aging parents or extended family, 4 dwellings allow for more diverse living arrangements. This includes independent living spaces for multiple generations or even more flexibility for families with multiple needs.

2.    Mortgage Helper – Secondary dwelling units can provide rental income, but up to 4 dwellings expand this opportunity by creating more units, potentially increasing the rental income and affordability of owner-occupied homeownership even further. More units mean more flexibility in how space can be utilized.

3.    Increased Affordable Housing – Smaller secondary units do contribute to affordable housing, but up to 4 units can help create more affordable living options in areas where housing demand is high, helping to address broader community needs. Housing diversity in the types of units available is crucial to supporting a growing population and ensuring there are a variety of options to meet the needs of different residents.

As for owner-occupancy, the requirement is only in place at the time of permit issuance. After the units are created and the property is sold, there is no ongoing requirement for the property to remain owner-occupied.

If you’re interested, you can read more about our rental registry and by-law enforcement impacts in the staff reports for additional context.

Thanks for submitting your question to this project! 

To clarify, owner-occupancy is required at the time of permit issuance, meaning the applicant must be the homeowner when applying for the permit. However, there is no current requirement for the property to remain owner-occupied after the permit is issued or during the construction of the units. 

As for inspections, the regular inspections conducted during construction and the final inspection to close the permit focus on ensuring compliance with building codes and zoning requirements. 

Thanks for your question! Here’s a bit more clarity on the numbers:

•    The 72,700 population figure comes from Statistics Canada’s annual population estimate, released each January (most recent number from 2024). This estimate does not include recently annexed areas, as Statistics Canada is still using the previous census boundaries, which will be updated in 2026.

•    The 3,100 new residents reflect Fredericton’s population growth from 2023-2024 alone. You can explore more details on Fredericton’s population data here from Statistic Canada. 

•    3,800 new homes refer to total unit starts, including single detached homes and multi-unit buildings. These figures are tracked through building permit data and reported to the Economic Prosperity and Growth Planning Committee. This total reflects permits issued over the last five years.

Additionally, we’re in the final stages of updating our housing needs assessment, which will provide a more detailed picture of housing demand. A sneak peek of those numbers was presented yesterday at Economic Prosperity and Growth Planning Committee is available here : https://www.fredericton.ca/en/your-government/mayor-council/council-meetings. The full report is expected to be published this spring.

Hi there! Thanks so much for submitting your question to this project. 

In Fredericton, the regulation of rooming or boarding houses has evolved over recent years. The terms "rooming house" and "boarding house" were previously used in the city's zoning bylaws but have been updated to the term "Single Room Occupancy" (SRO). This change reflects a modernization of terminology and regulatory approach.

An SRO is defined as a residential building where individual rooms are rented out, typically with shared common areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. The City of Fredericton has undertaken studies to understand and facilitate the development of SROs, aiming to address housing needs within the community. 

To obtain the most current and detailed information regarding the operation and regulation of SROs, including zoning requirements and any licensing obligations, it is advisable to consult the latest version of Fredericton's Zoning By-law or contact the city's Planning & Development Department directly at planning@fredericton.ca. They can provide guidance tailored to specific situations and ensure compliance with all local regulations.

Thanks for your interest the recreation projects planned for Killarney Lake Park.  The City has been working closely with key stakeholders and project consultants to ensure the variety of current and planned uses enjoyed by park visitors, including snowshoeing, biking, skiing, and disc golf, continue to be available. This has included ensuring that where some of these uses come together closer to the lodge that they can be aligned to allow for continued use.  More specifically, this may mean realigning and signing snowshoe trails where they cross the disc golf fairways or mountain bike trails to ensure crossing points have good visibility and are safely located.   

While we anticipate that some mountain bike trails will be groomed for winter fat biking, those not used for winter biking may actually allow for an expanded network of signed trails that can be used for snowshoeing, allowing for signed trail access and winter snowshoe exploring farther into the park.  The disc golf plans include an 18 hole competition-quality course for summer, with only some holes staying in use year-round. The objective for disc golf players is to use trees as obstacles and to play around and through them, so it will not create wide open spaces like a traditional golf course. 

More complete details and location maps will be shared on April 3rd, at the meeting of the Livable Community Committee. You will be able to view this meeting on the City’s website here. Our social media channels will also share more information following that meeting.

You may already be familiar with the overall Killarney Lake Park Management Plan, but if not you will find it here https://www.fredericton.ca/en/your-government/plans-strategies. General public consultation was held throughout the plan development, and as we implement specific elements we are working closely with various stakeholders and user groups.

New uses are being added to the Park as part of the Park Plan’s vision for Killarney to become an outdoor recreational hub.  However, with more nearly 1,600 acres/645 hectares, the majority of Killarney Lake Park will remain naturalized and fits the City’s objective to operate the park as a balanced ecological and recreational destination.

Hi there! Thanks so much for your question. 

The City of Fredericton does not regulate, nor can it regulate, the maximum number of people in a family, as families come in all shapes and sizes. The restriction can only be imposed on the number of unrelated persons which is a maximum of 4 in the main dwelling and a maximum of 3 in a secondary dwelling unit.

Thank you for providing this feedback! On our screens, the colour appeared dark green. We've since changed it to black, to make sure it's accessible to all. Thank you for taking the time to let us know! 

Thank you for your question Charles! The City cannot comment on the status of a business or speculate on their endeavors. We suggest reaching out directly to them. Their contact information is available on their Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/riverstonerecoverycentre/ 

Thanks for submitting your question!