To construct a laneway suite on your property, a clear access route must be available for first responders to reach the structure in the event of an emergency. Whereas a property may satisfy all the zoning requirements for a laneway development, this emergency access is a building code requirement, so is often overlooked by the average homeowner doing their due diligence. [Read More…]
New Emergency Access Requirements: Explained
The Importance of Garden Suites
Toronto is experiencing a housing renaissance. When we began advocating for laneway suites in 2015, laneway houses were only accessible to people with a lot of money and expertise. Today, they are an as-of-right policy with incentives to benefit everyday homeowners. As a result, thousands of laneway suites will be constructed in the coming decades, providing housing flexibility for multi-generational families and income opportunities for new buyers trying to enter the market.[Read More…]
Budgeting 101: Your Financial Foundations
One of the first steps in planning your laneway suite is to establish your financial goals. At this early stage, it’s important to understand what a complete development budget will entail in order to set realistic expectations and put you in a position for a successful investment. [Read More…]
Laneway Suite Construction – Video 5
Lanescape presents its fifth episode of the laneway suite video series. Our co-founder Craig Race gives a tour of some of our laneway suite projects currently under construction in Toronto. Here we get to learn a bit about each design and get a sneak peek into how each of these projects are being built.
Stay tuned for laneway suite videos covering a wide range of topics surrounding the new typology. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for upcoming events, policy information, and project updates.
Subject to Interpretation: Regulatory Challenges to Laneway Approvals
Our industry relies on codified requirements to ensure our buildings are appropriate for their context, perform to minimum standards, and maintain the health and safety of occupants. Zoning by-laws, building codes and municipal regulations provide a carefully crafted framework applicable to a wide variety of circumstances while preserving design freedom and creativity.
Over the last 2 years, we have secured permits for over thirty laneway suites. Every project is different and we are always carrying forward our experiences to inform future proposals. However, implementing this new typology has illuminated several regulatory grey areas where inconsistent interpretations have created challenges in gaining approvals.