FAQs

The proposed amendments focus on residential units and do not directly address the regulations for accessory buildings.

Specific parking requirements for secondary dwelling units will provide more flexibility to enable more parking to fit on the property.  

No, it is not mandatory to build 4 units. A single detached dwelling is the primary permitted use and a home owner will have the option to build up to 3 additional units subject to meeting minimum requirements for lot frontage, lot area, lot coverage, and parking.

The federal government is responding to the housing crisis. They made housing and infrastructure funding available to address this concern.

Any upgrades to a property will impact property taxes which is regulated by the province.

The owner-occupancy requirement applies at the time of creation of the additional units. Future owners will not be bound by this condition.

Yes, the city has the infrastructure capacity to support the increased density without compromising service quality. Our water and sewer systems are designed to accommodate this growth, thanks to ongoing infrastructure upgrades and a robust renewal program that ensures the systems are consistently improved and able to handle future demands.

The amendments will help to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods by preserving current housing and permitting additional density only through secondary dwelling units.

While municipalities have autonomy, federal funding programs have specific requirements such as adding four units on a lot and the city is working to balance these requirements with local interests.