Do you have questions about adding an Additional Residential Unit (or ARU) to your property? The County of Brant Development Services Department is here to help with your ARU project.
Whether it be a tiny home, in-law suite, basement apartment, garage loft, or something similar, we've got you covered!
Check out our helpful 'Planning Your Additional Residential Unit' Guide to help you get started with your renovation or building protect for an ARU. You can also view the guide by visiting www.brant.ca/ARUGuide or by contacting staff at building@brant.ca. The guide will let you know if your property will qualify for an ARU, what requirements there may be to safely pursue your project, and what options are available if your property doesn't quite meet the requirements for the project.
Ready to apply for your building permit? We have an ARU Worksheet that can be submitted with your permit application.
Click here or visit www.brant.ca/ARUWorksheet to print your copy. Submit your information to building@brant.ca for staff to review and let you know if anything further is needed to get the building permit for your project. We look forward to hearing from you!
Flexible Housing Options in the County of Brant
The Planning Division wants to make sure that our housing policies provide flexible housing options for additional residential units (ARUs) on properties where there is already an existing home. The new Provincial Policy Statement (2020) defines how municipalities are required to provide a variety of types and tenures of housing to create healthy and complete communities.
Whether this be adding a 'basement apartment' for extra income, creating an 'in-law suite' for a family member, or converting an outbuilding to a 'tiny home', these dwelling units fall within the category of Additional Residential Units (or ARUs) and have been reviewed as part of this project.
Find out more information below, including frequently asked questions, County of Brant housing facts, and other ways to provide comments as these policy changes come into effect. We look forward to hearing from you !
What is a Dwelling Unit?
A dwelling unit is a living space designed and intended for use by one or more people who maintain a common household. Dwelling units are contained within different housing types, such as single detached, semi-detached, apartments and townhouses, among many others.
What is an Additional Residential Unit?
An Additional Residential Unit is a type of dwelling unit provided accessory to a principal dwelling unit on the same property. ARUs are always attributed to a principal dwelling unit, but can be either connected or detached. These dwelling units come in many shapes and sizes and are commonly referred to as basement apartments, granny flats, coach homes, in-law suites, tiny homes, garage apartments, modified shipping container dwellings, etc.
Can I Establish an Additional Residential Unit?
We've recently updated our policies to allow more people to explore putting an ARU on their property! In order to determine if your property is eligible for an ARU, check out the summary of the requirements below. The requirements are dependent on a few factors, and will differ based on the servicing of your property (if you're on well / septic or have municipal water and sanitary services), and if you're proposed an attached or detached ARU (for example a basement apartment as opposed to converting an outbuilding to a dwelling unit). For a more assistance with your project, please visit www.brant.ca/ARUGuide or contact staff at building@brant.ca to get started.
As shown in the image above, ARUs can come in many different shapes or sizes. There are many requirements beyond the zoning of a property when considering how to establish a legal ARU. The Province of Ontario has put together some basic information for property owners who are considering an ARU project. This information can be accessed by clicking the image above to open the 'Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House' Guide, by checking out their 'Build or Buy a Tiny Home' guide, by visiting the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website, or by searching for more information on the 'More Homes, More Choice Act' Housing Supply Action Plan. There is also more information provided in the Project Timeline below under 'Background Research'.
Project TimelinesWe've updated our policies! This project was approved by Council on October 6, 2020.
We will providing Council with information on how the new ARU policies are being implemented at an upcoming Council meeting schedule for April 2021. If you have questions about this project, please contact staff for assistance. |
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| An ARU would be permitted in an area of the County of Brant with full municipal servicing provided the following requirements can be met: |
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| An ARU would be permitted on a property with well and/or septic servicing provided the following requirements can be met: |
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Formal Commenting Period (September 2020)
This commenting period, as required under The Planning Act, also provides another engagement opportunity before Staff make their recommendation to Council for a decision on the changes.
- See the Notice of Public Meeting for more information on the requirements for this project under The Planning Act
- Read a summary of the proposed policy directions (above)
- View the ’Black-line changes’ to the policy documents showing what will be removed, added, and changed with the new policy directions.
- Submit written comments to planning@brant.ca to be included in the published information about this project.
- Sign-up to speak about this project at the upcoming Public Meeting. Please contact our Municipal Clerk to get some more information on this process.
Public Meeting & Council Decision
(October 6th 2020)
This meeting will be available for viewing on the County's Youtube page at this link.
- The agenda to the meeting, including the report and draft amending By-Law, will be posted on the County SIRE website prior to the meeting.
- Sign-up to speak about this project at the upcoming Public Meeting. Please contact our Municipal Clerk to get some more information on this process.
Appeal Period
Once the By-Law for the project has been finalized and passed by the Council, it will come into force and effect. Under The Planning Act, there is no opportunity to appeal to the LPAT for policies about Additional Residential Units. If you have any questions about the new polices, please contact planning@brant.ca for further assistance.
Need more information, or have questions for staff? Feel free to use the contact information below to get in touch with us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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