Additional Residential Units

“Additional Residential Unit” (ARU), or “Additional Dwelling Unit” (ADU) means a dwelling unit situated within, attached to or on the same property as a Primary Dwelling having a floor area that is less than the floor area of the Primary Dwelling, and:

a) Consists of a self-contained set of rooms located in, attached to, or on the same property as the Primary Dwelling;

b) Is used for residential purposes;

c) Contains kitchen and bathroom facilities that are used only by the occupants of the Additional Residential Unit;

d) Is used or intended to be used as a single housekeeping unit by one or more persons and containing living, cooking, eating, sleeping and sanitary facilities;

e) Has a means of egress to the outside of the building or structure in which it is located, which may be a means of egress through another residential unit;

f) Meets the definitions of a Dwelling Unit and Garden Suite, Dwelling Unit Single Detached and Dwelling Unit Second Unit as defined in the North Perth Zoning By-law; and

g) Is not located within, attached to or on the same property as a Primary Dwelling that has an existing accessory business use.

In 2019, the Province of Ontario passed Bill 108, the More Homes, More Choices Act, to authorize the use of additional residential units (ARUs) and encourage the development of more housing options in our communities.

ARUs are self-contained units with a private kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping areas. ARUs are different from other residential uses because they are clearly accessory to the primary dwelling on the property in both use and appearance. ARUs come in many forms and can be located within the primary dwelling, within other structures or as a standalone structure.

ARUs are sometimes referred to as granny flats, in-law suites, secondary suites, laneway homes, and basement apartments. Below is a visual sample of ARUs:

The development of ARUs in our community is one way to provide flexible, affordable, and attainable housing options to meet the needs of current and potential residents.

ARUs have benefits for those seeking housing and property owners. Benefits include:

• Increasing the supply of attainable rental units in the community
• Providing rental income opportunities to make home ownership more affordable
• Increasing gentle housing density without promoting urban sprawl to agricultural lands
• Advancing environmental sustainability as ARUs are built on existing developed land
• Providing housing for family or friends who may need extra care (e.g., co-housing arrangements for older adults)

Municipalities are required through the Provincial Policy Statement (2020) to provide a diverse range and mix of housing types and ownership styles. This is where ARUs can make a difference and create a balance within the housing market in North Perth.

The County of Perth permits one ARU per lot either in the primary dwelling or in an accessory structure. Pursuant to More Home More Choice Act, Perth County will be updating the County of Perth Official Plan to allow either two ARUs in the primary dwelling or one ARU in the primary dwelling and one ARU in an accessory building for a total of two ARUs per lot.

Changes to the Planning Act by the Provincial Government through Bill 23 also impact the number of ARUs permitted on a property. Please contact Building or Planning Staff for the most up-to-date regulations.

• The registration's inspection process will make your ARU safe.
• Registration will help Fire Services and other Emergency Services in dispatching appropriate staff and equipment in calls for assistance.
• Your house will be officially recognized as having an ARU by the Municipality. This will assist in future real estate transactions.
• Your registered ARU will receive a municipal street number to ensure waste pick-up services and mail delivery.
• Prospective tenants will be able to verify whether an ARU rental unit has been registered with the Municipality.

Property owner(s) of an ARU must obtain a building permit for each ARU on their property and complete all necessary final inspections. Apply to register your ARU(s) by submitting the following:

• Completed ARU registration application through the Citizen Request Portal
• Payment of application registration fee as set out in the Municipality's Fees and Licences By-law
• All required information and documents set out in the application form and as deemed necessary by the Municipality

Once registration is complete, an ARU will stay registered for a period of three years. On an annual basis, the property owner of a registered ARU will be required to self-attest that the ARU has maintained adherence to all requirements under the ARU Registration By-law.

Failure to self-attest and/or adhere to the requirements of the ARU Registration By-law will result in ARU registration being revoked.

Upon submitting an application to register an Additional Residential Unit, a representative from Development & Protective Services will be in touch to arrange for an inspection of the property. An email confirmation IS NOT a registration.