The Town of Innisfil allows for up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on certain properties, as per our Accessory Dwelling Units By-law Amendment and the Province of Ontario's Housing Supply Action Plan. An ADU is a smaller, separate living space located on the same property as an existing house, such as a basement apartment, backyard home or tiny house.

It's important to review the Accessory Dwelling Units By-law and Innisfil's Zoning By-law (or Community Planning Permit System for shoreline properties) early in the pre-planning stages. These documents help you determine if your proposal is within a restricted area (for example, not permitted on properties within Cookstown, with private septic systems on lots within 100 m of Lake Simcoe, or with natural hazards such as flooding or erosion hazards, etc.). These documents will also provide direction in ensuring your proposed ADU will comply with matters such as maximum size restrictions, height limits, setbacks, coverage, etc.

View the by-law's Notice of Adoption and our staff's Executive Summary and Recommendation for more information on:

• New accessory dwelling unit policies
• Process of adoption
• Lands affected
• Background and public comments

Accessory dwelling units are automatically registered after the building permit passes its notice of completion inspection. This is a one-time registration and does not require renewal.

View our Homeowner's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units for information on how to plan for, build and register your accessory dwelling units with the Town. You can also view our Accessory Dwelling Units By-law to learn about standards, registration, addressing and signage, duties, renewals, registration, inspections and more.

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Benefits of accessory dwelling units

Our staff have identified many community benefits for accessory dwelling units in Innisfil, including:

• Flexible living arrangements: Accessory dwelling units can provide a separate living arrangement for youth or an elderly family member, who for health or safety reasons, may no longer be able to live on their own.
• More affordable housing: House prices and rents continue to increase in Innisfil and the surrounding regional market area.
• More rental housing: There is a strong demand for rental housing as evident by a low rental vacancy rate in the regional market area.
• Economic benefits to homeowner: Rental income assists with mortgage payments and can allow the individual to purchase the house.
• Increased safety for tenants: Legal accessory dwelling units are built to meet health and safety standards of building, electrical and fire codes.
• Efficient use of existing infrastructure: Accessory dwelling units help optimize the use of existing housing stock and infrastructure with minimal impact on its built form.

County of Simcoe Secondary Suite Program

The County of Simcoe's Secondary Suites Program provides funding of up to $50,000 per unit for the creation of an accessory dwelling unit. Applications are accepted year-round; however funding is limited and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. You must submit your application prior to beginning any construction.

Policy development process

View reports from the accessory dwelling units' policy development process:

• Public Meeting Report - March 17, 2021
• Staff Background Report and Executive Summary - Dec. 9, 2020