WHAT ARE LANEWAY SUITES?
Laneway suites are secondary dwellings constructed behind traditional street-facing homes on lots abutting a public laneway. Laneway suites enhance the quality of affordable rental housing in the city while intensifying existing neighbourhoods, utilizing existing infrastructure, and animating underused urban space. They serve as great alternatives to basement apartments because they offer superior quality of space and the main house remains relatively undisturbed.
Building Size
The front main wall of the laneway suite may not penetrate a 45 degree angular plane projected towards the rear lot line starting at a height of 4.0m at a distance of 7.5m from the rear main wall of the main house
Garden Platforms
Platforms less than 0.3m high may encroach into the required distance separation by a maximum of 1.5m from the front main wall of the laneway suite.
Balconies & Projections
A second storey balcony less than 10% of the suite’s floor area is permitted at the laneway. Rooftop equipment may extend beyond the maximum height, but must be less than 30% of the roof area and be setback by minimum 1.0m.
Landscaping
85% of the rear yard space between the main house and front main wall of the laneway suite must be soft landscaping. Not including a driveway, 75% of the 1.5m laneway setback must be soft landscaping.
Garden Dormers
Dormers may extend beyond the required angular plane. The total dormer width may not be wider than 30% of the total width of the laneway suite’s front main wall measured at 4.0m above grade.Unsure if your property qualifies? Contact us for your free property review!