Secondary Suites Public Information Sessions - February 2018

Secondary Suites
Public Information Sessions
February 2018

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Welcome and Introductions
• Leo DeLoyde, DeLoyde Development Solutions
• City representatives

This presentation is to be read as a whole, is provided for informational purposes only and does not necessarily include all required
information. The City of Vaughan provides this information without warranties or representations of any kind, either expressed or implied, and
assumes no responsibility for any consequence arising from the use of the information provided. Any reliance or action taken based on the
information provided is the responsibility of the user. Readers are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to determine what is
safe and suitable in their particular case. Note: information, requirements or regulations can change without notice.

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Topics Covered
1.   What is a secondary suite?
2.   Eligible properties
3.   How to apply for a secondary suite
4.   Construction and inspection
5.   Existing secondary suites
6.   Vaughan is ready with resources to assist you
7.   Frequently asked questions
8.   Contact information
9.   Questions?

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What is a secondary suite?
• A secondary suite is a self-contained unit within a house
  that has its own kitchen, bathroom facilities and separate
  entrance

• Secondary suites are an affordable housing option
  provided the units are constructed and operated safely

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Example of a secondary suite - lower
level

      Note: Maximum of 45% of gross floor area of house

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Example of a secondary suite – upper
level

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Eligible properties

Zoning By-law 1-88 has been amended to permit
secondary suites in single detached houses, semi-
detached houses and street townhouses subject to specific
development standards including:
 • minimum lot frontage
 • minimum parking requirements
 • other development requirements

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New single family houses

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Existing single family detached houses

     Source: Point 2 Homes

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Semi-detached houses

   Source: Zolo.ca

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Street townhouses

    Source: Rew.ca

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Lot characteristics

• The lot must have a minimum frontage of nine metres

• A secondary suite may occupy up to 45 per cent of the
  total gross floor area (GFA) of the dwelling, but not be
  less than 35 square metres in floor area

• Only one secondary suite unit is allowed in each eligible
  house

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Parking
• Minimum of 3 parking spaces are required on the lot to
  ensure sufficient parking is available to accommodate
  the main dwelling and the secondary suite

• Parking spaces must be located on a properly surfaced
  driveway or in a garage or carport

• On-street parking spaces do not qualify as required
  parking

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Separate suite entrances
• Suites must be accessed through a separate entrance
  located on the side wall or rear wall of a dwelling or
  through a common indoor vestibule

• A new entrance to a secondary suite cannot be located
  on the same wall/façade as the entrance to the main
  dwelling

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Secondary suites are NOT permitted:
• in an attached or detached garage
• in a separate building on the property
• in dwellings used for a:
    – home occupation                     - private home tutor
    – private home daycare                - bed and breakfast
    – correctional or crisis care group home
•   within the Woodbridge Special Policy Area
•   within a floodplain
•   in apartment buildings or condominiums
•   in stacked and block townhomes
•   in office, retail, industrial or mixed-use properties

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So you wish to renovate to
accommodate a secondary suite –
  a building permit is required.

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A building permit ensures minimum
health and safety requirements such as:
• Working smoke alarms within each dwelling unit
   – New smoke alarms to be located within each new bedroom and
     outside all sleeping areas
   – New smoke alarms to have a visual component (strobe light)
   – New smoke alarms to be connected to each other so that when
     one alarm sounds they all do (within the dwelling unit and under
     certain circumstances within the entire building)

• Working smoke alarms within the entire building
   – Be located on every floor in each unit and common areas
   – Existing smoke alarms may not require a strobe light
   – Other conditions may apply

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Sample health and safety requirements
continued
• Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all
  sleeping areas in each dwelling unit
• Proper fire separation between the secondary suite,
  primary dwelling and common areas
• Safe exits in case of emergency
• Minimum room sizes and clear ceiling heights
• Minimum amount of natural light
• Provide access to laundry facilities

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How to apply for a permit for a
secondary suite?

• Construction plans are required for review and
  inspections
• Although the Ontario Building Code allows homeowners
  to design their own buildings and alternations, it is
  STRONGLY recommended that you employ the services
  of a qualified designer, engineer or architect. Most
  delays in obtaining a building permit result from
  unacceptable or inadequate drawings

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Drawing requirements
• Two sets of construction drawings must be provided
• All drawings must be provided on standard-sized sheets
  to a minimum scale of 1:75 or 3/16ths equals one foot
• Drawings must be fully dimensioned, signed and dated,
  and include:
   – site plan, including setback dimensions to property lines,
     entrance locations, hard landscaping (a survey will assist)
   – existing/proposed floor plans (all floors)
   – sections, elevations and construction details
   – proposed fire separation locations and specifications
   – heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) information
   – other items as may become applicable

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Renovators and contractors

• All renovators and contractors must have a City of
  Vaughan business licence to work in Vaughan

• Homeowners have the right and are encouraged to ask if
  a renovator/contractor is licensed or contact the City to
  verify licence status before hiring them

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Inspections during construction
• Under the Ontario Building Code, the person who is
  issued a permit is required to provide notification to the
  Building Standards department when various stages of
  construction are ready to be inspected.

   Typical Inspections:
     – plumbing                                 ̶ insulation
     – structural framing and                 ̶ final interior
       HVAC rough-in                           ̶ final exterior

(Note: inspections as required depending on construction. Further inspections are
required if exterior construction or foundation work is proposed.)

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Scheduling an inspection
• To book an inspection, contact Building Standards –
  Inspections
• The following information is needed when requesting an
  inspection:
   –   building permit number
   –   municipal street address of project
   –   type of inspection being requested
   –   preferred inspection date
   –   contact name and telephone number of the person meeting the
       inspector on-site for the inspection

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What happens if the property has an
existing secondary suite?

• That depends on date on which the secondary suite was
  built
                           and
• whether the City has records of the construction for the
  secondary suite

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Suites built or proposed after
July 14, 1994

• Submit a building permit application, including
  construction plans, to the Building Standards department

• A qualified designer, architect or professional engineer
  can assist you with the plans and ensure it meets all
  technical requirements

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Suites built on or before July 14, 1994
• Contact Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service to arrange for
  a fire code inspection to ensure the suite complies with
  the Ontario Fire Code and to identify any required
  upgrades

• If upgrades to the unit are required, a building permit
  must be obtained to demonstrate compliance with the
  Ontario Fire Code

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Vaughan is ready
• Citizens and builders will be able to navigate secondary
  suite approval processes efficiently

• Front-line customer service staff and designated
  approval professionals are ready to serve you

• No special fees are required other than regular building
  permit fees

• No registration procedures are required

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Resources to assist you
• Vaughan.ca provides information about creating safe,
  code compliant and liveable secondary suites

• Secondary Suites Pamphlet

• Ontario Building Code

• Ontario Fire Code

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Frequently asked questions
1. Does the City provide information about contractors?
   Where can I find this information?
   • The City of Vaughan requires all renovators and contractors to
     have a City of Vaughan business license to work in Vaughan.
   • For information regarding hiring a licensed contractor,
     homeowners should contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.

2. What is the cost?
   • Building permit costs (including inspections during construction)
     from the City are the same as if you were adding or finishing
     interior space. No special fees. No development charge fees.
   • Construction costs vary with complexity of construction. You are
     encouraged to receive multiple quotations.

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3. Will my property assessment increase?
   • The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
     establishes assessments for property assessment purposes.
     Contact the MPAC for any inquiries.

4. What happens if the secondary suite does not comply
   with the Zoning By-law?
   • The applicant may revise their application to comply with the
     Zoning By-law
                                   or
   • The applicant may apply for a minor variance through the
     Committee of Adjustment to request relief from the Zoning By-
     law (fee applies).

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5. What about excessive garbage, vehicles parked on the
   street, existing units that may be illegal?
   • All properties within the City of Vaughan are subject to the
     minimum property standards.

   • The City of Vaughan will respond to any public complaints.

   • Residents are encouraged to contact Access Vaughan at 905-
     832-2281 regarding any inquiries or to file complaints for the
     concerns to be investigated.

6. Can the required parking be on the boulevard?
   • No. A minimum of three parking spaces are required within
     property boundaries. A survey will assist in ascertaining the
     location of property boundaries.

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7. Can the entire front yard be used for parking?
        •        No. There are maximum dimensions for driveway widths and
                 minimum areas for “green” landscaping.

8. Is this presentation available on line?
        •        Yes. The presentation is available at www.vaughan.ca.

Information in the presentation is provided for informational purposes only and does not necessarily include all required information. The City of Vaughan
provides this information without warranties or representations of any kind, either expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility for any consequences
arising from the use of the information provided. Any reliance or action taken based on the information provided is the sole responsibility of the user. Readers
are advised to consult appropriate professional resources to determine what is safe and suitable in their particular case. Please note that this information is
provided for convenience only and is subject to change without notice.

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Building Standards
                   Tel: 905-832-8510
                   Tel: 905-832-8511 Inspection Services
                   Email: buildingstandards@vaughan.ca

                   Location:
                   City Hall, Level 100
                   2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
                   Vaughan, Ontario L6A 1T1​​

                   Hours:
    Contact        Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Information        Access Vaughan
                   Tel: 905-832-2281

                   Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service
                   Tel: 905-832-2281
                   Email: firerescue@vaughan.ca

                   By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit
                   Services
                   Tel: 905-832-2281
                   Email: bylaw@vaughan.ca

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Questions

      This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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