TORONTO — The City of Toronto has announced three new measures that are aimed at making it easier to get a building permit for housing so construction can begin faster.
They are outlined as follows:
- Pre-approved building plans for garden suites and laneway suites
The city is launching free, publicly accessible and standardized “made in Toronto” building plans for garden and laneway suites, states a release. The plans comply with the Ontario Building Code and are available at no cost. Homeowners will still be responsible for preparing and submitting a building permit application, and site-specific code and zoning reviews will still be undertaken. The plans are available at toronto.ca/PreApprovedPlans.
- Online services for building permit applications
The city is expanding its online services to enable online, self-service building permit application submissions for new houses and new residential units, including secondary suites, multiplex conversions and laneway or garden suites. More information can be found at toronto.ca/applyTObuild
- Expanding the reliance on professional engineer’s seal program
Effective Monday, July 14, the city is expanding its program that allows licensed professional engineers to stamp building drawings and assume responsibility for compliance with the Ontario Building Code. Initially launched as a pilot in 2024, the program will now include accessory structures such as laneway suites and garden suites, mechanical systems and fire protection measures. The city can reduce the average time from permit application to occupancy by approximately 28 days.
The city notes it is also sharing “Demonstration Plans,” which illustrate where housing options such as pre-approved multiplexes, garden suites or laneway suites could be easily built. Click here for more information.
Between 2020 and 2024, Toronto recorded the largest residential development pipeline in its history, with more than 850,000 homes proposed, the release adds.
