Additional Dwelling
Units (ADU)
WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNIT?
An Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) has also been referred to as a Garden Suite, Coach House, In-Law Suite, etc. These structures have become extremely popular in Ontario recently and for good reasons. ADU's have the opportunity to provide extra income through renting, privacy for guests, or even a secondary home for a family/individual.
CAN I BUILD AN ADU ANYWHERE?
No, these ADU's have an array of zoning regulations that are local (municipality or township) and lot size specific. For this reason, we REQUIRE a survey of your property before we commence anything regarding the design of a potential ADU. This is our first and most crucial step.
WHAT ARE THE DESIGN REGULATIONS?
The regulations vary based on the municipality in which the lot is located. For that reason, BLR cannot guarantee the following design standards will apply to all projects. A few of the commonly regarded design regulations are as follows (but are subject to vary):
- Maximum Two Bedrooms can be put into an ADU
- Cannot exceed 80 sq.m. (approximately 861 sq.ft.) in floor area
- Cannot exceed 5m (16'-5") in building height
- Minimum One Parking space is require for each ADU
BLR'S DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
There are some items BLR recommends when it comes to designing an ADU. The main one to point out is to keep the ADU's 1-storey. The ramifications involved with 2-storey ADU's usually include increased setbacks (exact rules are based on local municipality zoning by-laws) and therefore less useable yard space, low ceiling heights for both floors, and a Ontario Building Code (OBC) legal staircase is required. The staircase CANNOT be replaced with ladder access. Also, a staircase would limit the useable square footage area which is already limited.
BLR also recommends designing the ADU's with a slab-on-grade foundation. However, they can be designed on helical piles, or piers.
OUR PROCESS
PHASE 1
Preliminary Design Drawings
Once we receive your property survey and ensure an ADU can be constructed on it, we can start the Preliminary Design Drawings. We'll collaborate with you one on one to incorporate your design ideas & requirements into a set of conceptual floor plans and elevations for approval.
PHASE 2
Pricing Drawings
After the Preliminary Design Drawings are finalized, the fully detailed Pricing Drawings are created to obtain quotes from various contractors & home builders of your choosing. A 3D model of your design will be developed at this stage.
PHASE 3
Construction/Permit Drawings
At this stage (when you are ready to schedule construction), we will create a permit ready set of construction drawings for the client or contractor to submit to the municipality for approval.
PHASE 4
Post-Permit Revisions
This is the final stage when construction is under way, we will be able to assist in construction-related or on-site consultation and any revisions required after demolition or to the design by contractors or client.