Additional residential unit permits

Check whether you need a permit

• Additional residential units (ARUs) are permitted in the City of Richmond Hill, subject to zoning requirements and restrictions, including a building permit.
• An ARU is a self-contained unit with a private kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping areas.
• It can be in a main residential building (such as a single detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse)
• and/or in a separate building (such as above a detached garage) on the same property.
• ARUs have also been referred to as secondary suites, basement apartments, two-unit dwellings, granny flats, in-law suites, accessory apartments, laneway houses, coach houses, garage suites and garden suites.

Zoning Regulations

• The City of Richmond Hill has passed By-law 143-24 on December 11, 2024 under section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990.
• The purpose and effect of this amending Zoning By-law 143-24 is to permit Additional Residential Units (ARU) within any zone that permits single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings and certain forms of townhouses and other dwelling types with certain restrictions.
• A maximum of three (3) Additional Residential Units shall be permitted on a lot in addition to the primary dwelling unit, provided the total number of dwelling units per lot does not exceed four (4) and provided the number of Additional Residential units in an Accessory Residential Building does not exceed two (2) subject to the appropriate development standards.
• The lot or parcel is required to be separately serviced by municipal sewage works and drinking water system.
• All applicable law, as set out by the Ontario Building Code, still applies.
• For all requirements and restrictions refer to By-law 143-24, on file with the Office of the Clerk.
• For the Zoning By-law, use the Zoning By-law Inquiry Form.

Have your drawings prepared by a qualified professional

Before you apply for a building permit, it is important to note:

• Drawings required as part of the building permit application should be prepared and reviewed by a qualified professional as outlined in the Ontario Building Code.
• A qualified professional can be an architect, professional engineer or a BCIN qualified designer.
• Delays in the issuance of your permit can arise if your drawings are not complete and/or do not conform to the OBC and the applicable laws.

Prepare your submission0 of 9

• Building permit submissions for a newly proposed ARU.9You must submit:

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Submit your application

• Apply for a building permit.
• For information on fees, submission requirements, and how to apply for a building permit, visit the City's Building Permit home page.
• For building permit questions, email building@richmondhill.ca or call 905-771-8810.

Get an electrical permit from the ESA

• The property owner must attain a separate electrical permit for electrical work from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) as the Electrical Safety Code has further requirements when adding an ARU.
• For additional information, call 1-877-ESASAFE (372-7233).

Booking a Building Inspection

• Once the building permit has been issued, construction can begin.
• As required by the Ontario Building Code, a building inspector must review the work at various stages of construction.
• The property owner or his/her agent is responsible for notifying the City's Building Division when different stages of construction are ready for inspection.
• You can book an inspection by completing the Inspection Request Form.
• For building inspections, email buildinginspections@richmondhill.ca.
• Once all inspections are completed, an Occupancy Permit will be issued.