National explainers

Understand the question before you read the bylaw.

These guides explain the recurring planning questions. The city pages supply the local rule check.

Suite & ADU rules by province

See which provinces create as-of-right housing permissions and which leave the land-use decision to local zoning.

Start with provincial entitlement, local zoning, building code and the permit route.

Egress, fire separation, ventilation, plumbing and inspections for an added dwelling unit.

Detached units add site coverage, height, setback, servicing and access questions.

How to separate “it has always been there” from documented legal status.

Life-safety checks that should be resolved before finishes hide the work.

The local rules may care about parking, water, sewer, electrical service and garbage access.

Documents to request before treating rental income as dependable.

Keep zoning confirmation, permits, plans, inspections and occupancy records together.

Understand the 280 m² lot-size branch, frequent-transit test, exemptions and why the provincial number is not an automatic permit.

Compare an in-home suite with a detached garden/laneway unit: zoning, site fit, servicing and Building Code checks.