Starting this week, the City of Wrenford is rolling out a new support program to help homeowners navigate the process of adding a secondary suite to their property. The initiative, led by the Planning and Development department, offers free one-on-one consultations and a simplified registration pathway for residents in established neighbourhoods.
A secondary suite is a self-contained living unit inside a single home. It includes its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Adding a suite is a smart way to increase housing supply and generate extra income. The City has streamlined the steps to keep costs predictable. A development permit costs $156.00. Building a new suite requires a building permit and safety codes fee of $676.00, or $1,300.00 for a backyard suite. If you already have a suite, you can legalize it for $332.80. All new units must meet the Ontario Building Code standards for safety and fire separation.
To lower the financial barrier, the City points residents toward the Wrenford Housing Incentive Program. This program offers fee rebates on development charges and a five-year property tax exemption for new affordable rentals. Developers and non-profits can also apply for the Wrenford Housing Development Grant, which provides up to $12,000 per unit for non-profits and up to $9,000 per unit for private builders. All funded units must remain affordable for at least ten years.
“We want to make it as straightforward as possible for homeowners to turn unused space into affordable rental units,” said Samuel Adeyemi, GM Infrastructure and Planning. “Adding a suite helps increase housing supply while giving property owners a reliable source of income.”
Homeowners can book a free consultation at Build a secondary suite. For more information on the City's housing goals and funding options, visit Housing.