Initiative 6: Additional Residential Unit Toolkit and Financial Incentives

Create a webpage that helps homeowners understand the process, steps, requirements and costs associated with the construction of Additional Residential Units (ARUs), as well as the financial incentives to encourage homeowners to build market and affordable (ARUs).

The City is exploring ways to support gentle intensification to support more housing options. This work will include developing an online toolkit to help homeowners understand the process, steps, requirements and costs associated with the construction of Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on their properties and creating a grant program to help offset the financial barriers that homeowners face in building market and affordable ARUs. The City is also considering amendments to the zoning by-law to enable up to four units and four storeys on low density residential properties and changes to performance standards that could remove barriers to the construction of Additional Dwelling Units and Coach Houses.

Key actions:

• Create a single online location for resources related to constructing ARUs
• Design and Implement Guidelines or Pre-approved Building Plans
• Publish resources/plans/mapping guidelines online
• Research, consult on and develop financial incentive program
• Propose a financial incentive program for Council consideration
• Development of implementation materials and launch
• Review and update zoning by-law regulations related to height, setbacks, and building floor area to support more ancillary second units (Coach Houses)
• Review and update zoning by-law regulations to permit four storeys and four units on residential properties

Net new units: 100

Implementation timeline: December 1, 2023 to February 28, 2026

Return to City of Waterloo Housing Accelerator Fund page.