Accessory Apartments
The Township of Cavan Monaghan wants to help you make a secondary apartment that is safe and healthy for you and your tenant.
What is a secondary apartment?
A Garden Suite is not a secondary apartment and has different requirements.
A secondary apartment is another separate dwelling within the same house.
Here are several guides which can help you understand the requirements for secondary apartments better:
- Building and Planning Information for Accessory Apartments
- MMAH Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House
How do I start?
When you want two separate dwelling units within the same building, it is important to:
- Contact the Planning department by using the Land Use Inquiry form. This will ensure your project will meet all the requirements of the Zoning By-laws and other applicable laws.
- Hire a qualified designer, architect, or engineer to design the new living space.
Why do I need a qualified designer?
It can be a complex task to design a secondary apartment in an existing house.
Many different parts of the Ontario Building Code can come into play.
Some things your designer will need to consider are:
- Means of egress (exits)
- Fire separations
- Early warning fire and carbon monoxide systems
- Separation of water supply, heating and cooling systems
- Water and sewer load increase.
- Possible structural changes
Permits
Secondary apartments always require a permit.
Please go to the building permits page.