Involvement in creating by-laws
In 2014 Lanescape was formed to bring as-of-right laneway housing to Toronto. We had seen the success of detached secondary suites in Vancouver, Ottawa, and many other cities, and knew Toronto’s +250 km of laneways were perfect for creating housing flexibility. By teaming up with the City of Toronto staff, Councillors Ana Bailao and Mary-Margaret McMahon, and Evergreen, we undertook a large-scale public engagement process that crowd-sourced a comprehensive draft zoning bylaw for laneway suites with input from over 3,000 Torontonians. The city’s official plan, and zoning bylaws were officially amended by Toronto City Council in the summer of 2018 to allow as-of-right laneway housing for thousands of properties across the city via a simple, fast, low-cost approvals process.
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.
Interested in learning more about the by-laws and how they pertain to your property? Register to attend one of our upcoming workshops