# Ontario Garden Suite Guide 2026: Legislation, Permits, Costs and Building Requirements **URL:** \ **Category:** Ontario\ **Created:** [April 26, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/ontario-garden-suite-guide-2026-legislation-permits-costs-and-building-requirements/46916 "2026-04-26T19:18:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/system/32/77_2.png) [@system](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/ontario-garden-suite-guide-2026-legislation-permits-costs-and-building-requirements/46916/1 "2026-04-26T19:18:22Z")
Ontario’s More Homes Built Faster Act (2022) means municipalities can no longer prohibit garden suites on most residential lots. Here’s what changed and what it means for GTA homeowners. **What municipalities can still regulate:** - Maximum height (province guidance: 6m) - Setbacks (min 1.5m rear, 0.6m side recommended) - Lot coverage maximums - Design standards and heritage overlays **Permit process:** - Full building permit required (site plan, architectural drawings, lot grading plan) - Toronto’s by-right pathway targets 30-day approval (no variances) - Committee of Adjustment variance: add 3-6 months - Pre-application consultation strongly recommended **Servicing costs (often the surprise):** - Separate or shared water/sewer connection required - Separate electrical service or subpanel - Enbridge gas needs separate meter - Site servicing alone: $15,000-$40,000 **Construction cost ranges (GTA 2026):** - Prefab/modular 400-600 sq ft: $150,000-$250,000 all-in - Custom single-storey 600-900 sq ft: $250,000-$400,000 - Two-storey custom 900-1,200 sq ft: $350,000-$550,000 - Soft costs (design, permits, development charges): add $25,000-$60,000 Anyone here completed a garden suite in Toronto or the 905? How was the process? _More Ontario renovation info at [home.renovation.reviews](https://home.renovation.reviews)_