Toronto's garden suite by-law opened up a massive opportunity for homeowners. Here's what we've learned building them across the city.
Toronto's garden suite by-law has been in effect since 2022, and we've now built enough of them to share some hard-earned lessons. A garden suite (a type of Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU) is a fully self-contained living unit in your backyard — separate from the main house, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance.
The economics are compelling. A well-built one-bedroom garden suite in the GTA rents for $1,800–$2,500/month, and construction typically runs $250,000–$400,000 depending on size and finishes. At those numbers, most clients see payback in 10–14 years, with the property value bump on top.
What surprises most homeowners: the design constraints are tighter than people expect. Maximum height, setback from the rear lot line, tree protection zones, and servicing capacity (water, sewer, electrical) all need to line up. We always start with a site review before promising anything.
The build itself is faster than a full home renovation — typically 4–6 months from permit to occupancy. The permit process is the long pole: budget 3–6 months depending on complexity and whether you need any variances.
