DESIGN · BUILD · SINCE 1988
Garden Suites
The Smartest Square Footage You'll Ever Add
The Service
What Is a Garden Suite?
A garden suite is a self-contained residential unit built in the rear yard of an existing property. Sometimes called a laneway house, backyard house, or accessory dwelling unit (ADU), garden suites are fully independent homes with their own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living space.
In 2022, the City of Toronto amended its zoning bylaws to permit garden suites on most residential properties city-wide. This means homeowners can now build a secondary dwelling in their backyard without requiring a rezoning application or minor variance.
Why It Matters
- 01
Rental Income
Generate steady revenue from your existing property
- 02
Multi-Generational Living
Keep family close while maintaining independence
- 03
Property Value
Increase the value of your property with a second unit
- 04
Aging in Place
An accessible, ground-level home for every stage of life
The Possibilities
Room to Live, Out Back
What Could You Build?
What could your backyard hold?
Garden suites have been as-of-right across Toronto since 2022. Our free assessment maps your lot from real City zoning data — setbacks, buildable footprint, and whether a 1- or 2-storey suite fits.
Map your lot — freeReal City of Toronto zoning data · ~60 seconds · no obligation
Your Options
Choose Your Configuration
1-Story (4–6 Months)
2-Story (6–9 Months)
Studio / 1-Bedroom
Free Resource · 2026 Planning Guide
Everything you should know before you sign a contract.
A no-fluff guide to Toronto's 2022 bylaw, the 2023 EHON updates, realistic timelines, and the seven questions that separate a real garden suite specialist from a builder who is learning on your dime.
- The 2022 bylaw + 2023 EHON changes, explained plainly
- How to check if your specific lot qualifies (with city data)
- Realistic permit, design, and build timelines
- 7 questions to ask every builder before signing
- Red flags that predict problem projects
Drafted In-House
Sample Floor Plans
Real layouts we have drawn and built. Every garden suite is custom-designed to your lot, setbacks, and goals — these are a few of the configurations possible.
Not sure which option fits your property?
Take the 2-minute Property Assessment and get personalized recommendations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Garden Suites by Area
Insights
Garden Suites: Reading & Guides
guides
How to Build a Garden Suite in Toronto: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything Toronto homeowners need to build a garden suite in 2026 — the bylaw, lot eligibility, setbacks, the 9 to 14 month timeline, real cost ranges, rental ROI, and financing, from a design-build team that builds them.
Read →guides
Garden Suites in East York: A Homeowner's 2026 Guide
A homeowner's guide to building a garden suite in East York — why the neighbourhood's deep lots and lane access suit backyard houses, the 2022 rules in plain English, cost ranges, and two Danforth builds we have underway.
Read →guides
Garden Suites in Etobicoke: Inside Our Completed Mimico Build
A behind-the-scenes look at a completed 400-square-foot garden suite in Mimico, Etobicoke — covering zoning, site work, construction, finishes, costs, and how to tell whether your own backyard qualifies.
Read →Ready to Explore Your Backyard's Potential?
We take on 7–10 projects at a time. Each one gets our full attention.