If you are contemplating a laneway suite, there are a number of bylaw requirements that must be considered in order to be eligible. At R-Hauz, our laneway suite models are designed to comply with the existing zoning regulations. By choosing one of the designs in our series of as-of-right models, you eliminate the risk of a custom design not meeting City approval. This way, you can be assured there will be no delays in the planning process, and no waiting for costly and lengthy Committee of Adjustment hearings. Our models are designed to provide you with functional, beautiful homes, in a quickly and cost effective manner.
Are you eligible?
It is completely normal to be unsure as to whether your property meets the requirements necessary to build a laneway suite. We provide free property assessments for just that reason. To determine your eligibility, we will assess your individual lot for compliance with the existing regulations.
Naturally, to build a Laneway Suite your property must abut a laneway. City bylaw mandates the property abut the lane by a minimum of 3.5 metres on the side or rear lot line. The three other main considerations are as follows:
- The lot is within the boundaries of the Toronto & East York Community Council district.
- The lot meets Emergency Medical Service access requirements.
- The lot and adjacent area do not contain established mature trees that would require removal or injury to accommodate a new laneway suite.
(Photo by Toronto City Planning – Changing Lanes Presentation)
What you can expect in your laneway suite.
The size and characteristics of the lot, along with your individual needs and taste, will dictate which model best suits your property. However, there are some basic rules in the bylaw that are incorporated into all our designs. These aspects ensure a quicker and smoother construction process, reducing delays and potential disturbance to your neighbours.
All R-Hauz designs and laneway suites in Toronto are built to abide by…
Maximum Laneway Suite Length:
10m / 32.8 ft
Maximum Laneway Suite Width:
8m / 26.2 ft
Floor Area:
Must be less than the gross floor area of the main residence on the lot.
Maximum Height:
- Maximum 4m: if the laneway suite is set back 5.0m – 7.5m from the main residence.
- Maximum 6.3m: if the laneway suite is set back 7.5m or more from the main residence.
Separation and Dimensions:
- Minimum 5m from the main residence, if the laneway suite is less than 4m in height (one storey).
- Minimum 7.5m from the main residence, if the laneway suite is greater than 4m in height (two storeys).
Setbacks:
Rear Yard
- 0m, if the rear lot line does NOT abut a street or lane, AND there are no openings (e.g. vehicular access, doors, windows) in the rear main wall of the laneway suite.
- 1m in all other cases (e.g. abutting a lane or contains windows)
Side Yard
- 0m if the side lot line does not abut a street or lane, and there are no openings (e.g. vehicular access, doors, windows) in the rear main wall of the laneway suite.
- 1.5m in all other cases (e.g. abutting a lane or contains windows).
- If the side lot line abuts another street: side yard setback is same as that of the residential building on the lot.
Rear Angular Plane:
The front main wall of a laneway suite may not penetrate a 45 degree angular plane projected towards the rear lot line, beginning from a height of 4m at a distance of 7.5m from the rear main wall of the residential home.
Lot Coverage:
The laneway suite may not exceed 30% of the lot coverage.
Minimum Lot Line on Lane:
A minimum of 3.5m of the rear or side lot line must abut the lane.
Parking:
- Vehicular parking: not required under bylaw.
- Bicycle parking: 2 spaces are required within the suite OR within any required side yard setback.
Landscaping:
- On a lot with 6m or less frontage: minimum 60% of the area between the rear main wall of the residence and the front main wall of the laneway suite must be for soft landscaping.
- On a lot with greater than 6m frontage: minimum of 85% of area between rear main wall of the house and the front main wall of the laneway suite must be for soft landscaping.
- The area between the laneway suite and the lot line abutting a lane, excluding a permitted driveway, must be landscaping, of which 75% or more must be for soft landscaping.
