What the current Cambridge suite source says
Cambridge’s current ARU page says detached, semi-detached and townhouse properties can contain additional units subject to zoning and building approval. Detached accessory-building units are possible in some circumstances, but the city requires the permit review before construction.
Open the official Cambridge suite source ↗Waterloo Region is useful market context, but another municipality’s suite approval does not transfer to Cambridge. Check this property directly.
Ontario: the provincial layer
The Ontario ARU framework can support as many as three units in the principal house, or two principal-house units plus one ancillary-building unit, on identified lands. Municipal zoning still controls site details.
Ontario additional residential unit framework ↗The four suite checks to do first
What kind of unit?
An internal conversion and a new detached unit can share a goal but not an approval path.
Is the use allowed?
Land-use permission is the first gate. Confirm the parcel and proposed unit type before committing to architectural work.
Can the building comply?
The building permit tests safety and construction, not just room count. Plan for egress, fire protection and building services.
Can the site serve it?
Site constraints can include parking, sewer and water capacity, electrical service, waste access and setbacks for a detached unit.
Build the Cambridge approval file in order
Treat permission for another dwelling and approval of the construction as separate questions. Zoning answers one; building and trade permits answer the other.
For resale properties, the most useful evidence is the municipal file, not the number of years the unit has been rented.
Official sources
Reviewed 2026-09-14. This municipality has a topic-specific suite or ADU source. Pair it with the provincial layer and verify the current property and permit requirements.