Accessory Dwelling Units Permitted for Long-Term Housing
To contribute to housing access for current and prospective residents of Sutton, the Town adopted a By-Law in November 2023 permitting the development of "accessory dwelling units" (ADUs) throughout the territory.
These ADUs can be integrated into the main residence or developed in an accessory building. Their maximum area is 75 m2 (approximately 807 ft2) but not less than 30 m2 (323 ft2).
These new accessory dwellings are exclusively for long-term housing.
No tourist accommodation establishment (Airbnb type) is permitted in an accessory dwelling unit.
Process
Interested citizens can apply for a renovation or construction permit for an “accessory dwelling unit” from the Town’s Urban and Land-Use Planning Department.
A guide outlining the procedure and standards for a new ADU can be found on the Town’s website under Citizen Services/Urbanism and Environment/Urban Planning Guides: Guide – Certification for an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
Additional requirements may apply, particularly for wastewater treatment in isolated residences, as well as for dwellings in agricultural zones. In “conservation” zones, only integrated ADUs are permitted.
To submit an application, the required forms and documents can be found here: https://sutton.ca/staging/demande-de-permis/.
Regulation No. 115-17-2023 entitled “Regulation amending Zoning By-law No. 115-2, as amended, to incorporate provisions relating to accessory dwelling units and accommodation establishments in primary residences and tourist residences” (in French only)
For more information, please email your questions to [email protected].