Enabling Four Units

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On Monday, March 25, 2024, Kitchener Council unanimously approved new Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments. These enable up to four dwelling units on residential lots in Kitchener. They are only allowed where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units. For more information, visit: About residential dwelling units


The City of Kitchener is growing and more homes are needed to meet the needs of existing and future residents.

In March 2023, the City of Kitchener made a Municipal Housing Pledge to build an additional 35,000 homes by 2031. A key component of this pledge includes enabling more housing that will support gentle intensification of our existing low rise residential areas.

'Enabling Four Units' will explore the creation of zoning regulations that will permit up to four dwelling units on any lot that allows a single-detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or street fronting townhouse dwelling, subject to regulations. These additional dwelling units could be located in:

  • existing buildings
  • additions to new buildings
  • new buildings either as the main building or in the backyard
Image credit: rehousing.ca

(image credit: rehousing.ca)

Why is this being considered?

Housing Demands: With our community growing, there is a need to explore innovative solutions to accommodate the increasing demand for housing and promote a variety of housing options.

Urban Development: Enabling four units can contribute to a more efficient use of existing spaces and infrastructure, promoting sustainable and thoughtful urban development.

We want to hear from you!

This project includes opportunities for community input. Your comments will help us to determine the appropriate permissions to include in a proposed four-unit dwelling by-law, for example:

  • lot width, area and setbacks
  • building height and form
  • driveways and parking provisions

If you would like to get email updates on this project and notices of upcoming engagement opportunities, add your email to the Stay Informed box and click 'Subscribe'.

The City of Kitchener is growing and more homes are needed to meet the needs of existing and future residents.

In March 2023, the City of Kitchener made a Municipal Housing Pledge to build an additional 35,000 homes by 2031. A key component of this pledge includes enabling more housing that will support gentle intensification of our existing low rise residential areas.

'Enabling Four Units' will explore the creation of zoning regulations that will permit up to four dwelling units on any lot that allows a single-detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or street fronting townhouse dwelling, subject to regulations. These additional dwelling units could be located in:

  • existing buildings
  • additions to new buildings
  • new buildings either as the main building or in the backyard
Image credit: rehousing.ca

(image credit: rehousing.ca)

Why is this being considered?

Housing Demands: With our community growing, there is a need to explore innovative solutions to accommodate the increasing demand for housing and promote a variety of housing options.

Urban Development: Enabling four units can contribute to a more efficient use of existing spaces and infrastructure, promoting sustainable and thoughtful urban development.

We want to hear from you!

This project includes opportunities for community input. Your comments will help us to determine the appropriate permissions to include in a proposed four-unit dwelling by-law, for example:

  • lot width, area and setbacks
  • building height and form
  • driveways and parking provisions

If you would like to get email updates on this project and notices of upcoming engagement opportunities, add your email to the Stay Informed box and click 'Subscribe'.

On Monday, March 25, 2024, Kitchener Council unanimously approved new Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments. These enable up to four dwelling units on residential lots in Kitchener. They are only allowed where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units. For more information, visit: About residential dwelling units


  • Enabling Four Units approved by Council

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    On Monday, March 25, 2024, Kitchener Council unanimously approved Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to enable up to four dwelling units on residential lots in Kitchener where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units.

    Subject to Regional approval of the Official Plan Amendment and expiry of appeal periods, the zoning by-law regulations will permit up to four dwelling units on approximately 41,450 lots, representing 68% of all residential lots in Kitchener. This approval helps to implement Kitchener’s Municipal Housing Pledge through gentle intensification of the ‘missing little’ housing including detached additional dwelling units and small multi-plexes which can be integrated in existing and new neighbourhood contexts. This new zoning balances site functionality and flexibility in built form while mitigating potential impacts on the community.

    While the zoning may permit additional units, the City is reliant on homeowners and developers to build these additional units. With the support of the Housing Accelerator Fund, staff will prepare tools to make it easier to work through that approval process which can seem daunting for some homeowners and developers.

    Additional information with regard to the status of these applications can be found on the City’s Planning Applications website: kitchener.ca/planningapplications

  • Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-Law amendments now available

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    Ahead of the Mar. 25, 2024 statutory public meeting, the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments are now available:

    To see the agenda and staff report once they are available, visit calendar.kitchener.ca/council

    If you would like to speak to the committee during this meeting, please register as a delegation

    You can also watch live on the day of the meeting by going to kitchener.ca/watchnow

  • Public meeting on draft zoning amendments Mar. 25

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    Thank you to everyone who answered our survey and shared their ideas about this project. A statutory public meeting to consider the proposed City-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments is scheduled for March 25, 2024

    To see the agenda and staff report once it is available, visit calendar.kitchener.ca/council

    You can also watch live on the day of the meeting by going to kitchener.ca/watchnow

    If you would like to speak to the committee during this meeting, please register as a delegation

  • Draft zoning amendments now available

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    We are committed to gathering community input on proposed changes to zoning regulations. Throughout January 2024 we engaged with residents and industry stakeholders. This took place through various channels, including:

    • virtual meetings
    • workshops
    • open houses
    • online survey
    • one-on-one conversations

    Your valuable feedback was instrumental in shaping the proposed zoning by-law amendments. It ensured that the draft regulations align with and respond to community priorities.

    We heard that community members support gentle density on existing residential lots. We also heard this is an important way we can help respond to the housing crisis. Community members identified the following benefits of allowing additional dwelling units:

    • support multi generational households
    • can be a source of revenue for homeowners
    • increases choice for renters
    • makes efficient use of infrastructure.

    Areas identified as important for consideration included:

    • servicing capacity
    • site layout and functionality
    • provision of an appropriate amount of parking
    • protecting private backyard amenity spaces
    • protecting trees and greenspace
    • preserving neighbourhood character and streetscapes.

    A draft of the proposed zoning regulations is now available for information. The draft regulations work to enable additional dwelling units on more lots. They also balance increased density with provision of parking, landscaping and green spaces.

    Our staff report will provide further discussion and details. We expect that report to be available in mid-March.

    View the draft zoning regulations

  • Open House information now available

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    Thanks to everyone who has joined us at one of our open houses this month. Our last open house will be Jan. 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queen’s Boulevard).

    We've added the open house posters to this page. They give more information about the benefits and considerations in enabling four units on a lot, as well as some examples of what that might look like. Read onwards or view as a PDF

    If you have comments or feedback, please reach out to us at EnablingFourUnits@kitchener.ca or call the Planning division at 519-741-2426 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994).

    About the project

    'Enabling Four Units’ is exploring the creation of zoning regulations to allow up to four dwelling units on a lot where a single-detached, semi-detached, or street-fronting townhouse dwelling is a permitted use.

    Already permitted (up to three units):

    • 3 units in primary
    • 2 units in primary and 1 unit in detached

    Under consideration (up to four units):

    • 4 units in primary
    • 3 units in primary and 1 unit in detached
    • 2 units in primary and 2 units in detached

    Benefits and considerations for enabling four units on a lot

    Benefits of four units on a lot:

    • Adds gentle density with more housing options
    • Responds to growing housing demand
    • Supports multi-generational households
    • Additional source of revenue for homeowners
    • Improves housing attainability
    • Efficient use of infrastructure

    Considerations for enabling four units on a lot:

    • Servicing capacity
    • Site layout and functionality
    • Addition to existing versus purpose built
    • Parking
    • Setbacks and separation
    • Building heights

    What can additional units on a lot look like?

    Single Detached Dwelling

    • Lot width – 12.2 m / 40 ft
    • Lot depth – 38.1 m / 125 ft

    Split Level Single Detached Dwelling

    • Lot width – 17.5 m / 57.5 ft
    • Lot depth – 35 m / 115 ft

    Semi-detached Dwelling

    • Lot width – 10.4 m / 34 ft
    • Lot depth – 34.1 m / 112 ft

    Narrow Lot

    • Lot width – 5.50 m / 18 ft
    • Lot depth – 31.5 m / 104 ft

  • Virtual Public Meeting recording now available

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    Thank you to everyone who joined us online at our virtual public meeting on Jan. 17, 2024. If you would like to view the recording, it is now available. Watch the video

  • We want to hear from you!

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    Share your comments online

    We are reviewing the existing zoning regulations to prepare revisions that support and enable additional units in Kitchener’s residential neighbourhoods. To contribute to that review, we are seeking feedback from:

    • renters
    • homeowners
    • builders and others in the development industry

    Your comments will help to inform zoning regulations for things like parking, setbacks, lot sizes, and where additional units could be located on a lot. We can accept comments until Feb. 4, 2024.

    Add your comments

    January Open Houses

    Join us at one of our in person Open Houses to explore, in a hands on way, how four units might work on lots in existing residential neighbourhoods. Please feel free to drop-in any time during the below sessions and stay as briefly or as long as you like. You will have the opportunity to chat with staff, ask questions and provide feedback.

    • Jan. 20, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kitchener Market (300 King St. East, upper level)
    • Jan. 23, 3 to 7 p.m. at Stanley Park Community Centre (505 Franklin St. North)
    • Jan. 31, 3 to 6 p.m. at Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queen’s Boulevard)

  • Join us to learn more and contribute

    Share Join us to learn more and contribute on Facebook Share Join us to learn more and contribute on Twitter Share Join us to learn more and contribute on Linkedin Email Join us to learn more and contribute link

    The City of Kitchener is growing and more homes are needed to meet the needs of existing and future residents. We are exploring zoning regulations that will enable up to 4 dwelling units on lots that currently permit single detached, semi-detached and street fronting townhouse dwellings.

    We are hosting a series of consultation events in January, including both in person and virtual ways to participate.

    Log on to our Virtual Neighbourhood Meeting to hear more about this project, learn about how 4 units could be accommodated on existing residential lots, and to ask questions and provide comments.

    • Jan. 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m. To connect to the virtual meeting online, go to: www.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID# 868 3942 3268


    Join us at one of our in person Open Houses to explore, in a hands on way, how four units might work on lots in existing residential neighbourhoods. Please feel free to drop-in any time during the below sessions and stay as briefly or as long as you like. You will have the opportunity to chat with staff, ask questions and provide feedback.

    • Jan. 20, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kitchener Market (300 King St East, upper level)
    • Jan. 23, 3 to 7 p.m. at Stanley Park Community Centre (505 Franklin St. North)
    • Jan 31, 3 to 6 p.m. at Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queen’s Boulevard)


    Can’t make a live meeting or open house?

    There will also be an opportunity to learn more and add your comments online. If you haven’t already, subscribe for email notices. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page, then click ‘Subscribe’.