Development
Zoning & Additional Residential Units (ARUs)
Learn about the Town’s zoning regulations, including permitted uses, zoning maps, and Additional Residential Units (ARUs).
What’s my Zoning?
The Town of New Tecumseth’s New Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2021-128 came into effect on September 13, 2021, with the exception of two site-specific appeals. The Zoning By-law is the primary tool used to implement the Town’s Official Plan, and is passed in accordance with the Ontario Planning Act.
What does the Zoning By-law Regulate?
- Providing details of how land may be used (permitted uses)
- Where buildings and structures can be located
- The building’s maximum heights, densities and setbacks
- Parking requirements
- Other provisions necessary to enable important aspects of development.
In order to find out your property’s zone, please follow the steps below.
Step One: Find your property on the interactive map
- Open the interactive map
- In the filter bar, search for the ‘Zoning2025’ layer. Click the box next to ‘Zoning2025’ to turn on the zoning layer.
- Enter your address in the top search bar and hit enter to locate your property.
Step Two: Find your zoning information
- Click your property on the map and a box will appear with your zone (e.g. LR, EP, DCC, etc.).
- Open up the Zoning By-law 2021-128
- Section 3 of the Zoning By-law contains all of the zoning information for each of the zones. If your zone has an exception number at the end of it (e.g. LR-5, DCC-2, MC-2, etc.), you will also need to reference Section 5 for your site-specific zoning.
You can also reference the Zoning Schedules below to find your zone.
- Schedule A (Alliston)
- Schedule B (Beeton)
- Schedule C (Tottenham)
- Schedule D (Briar Hill)
- Schedule E (Treetops)
- Schedule F1 (Rural North)
- Schedule F2 (Rural Central)
- Schedule F3 (Rural South)
- Schedule G (Wellhead Protection Area)
- Schedule H (Oak Ridges Moraine Zones)
- Schedule I (Oak Ridges Moraine Aquifer)
- Schedule J (Oak Ridges Moraine Landform Conservation)
- Schedule K (Beeton Heritage Conservation District)
The Zoning By-law is a complex document that must be interpreted as a whole. In addition to zoning regulations, other requirements may apply to proposed changes, including permits, provisions applicable to all zones, parking standards, approvals from other agencies, and other considerations. Before undertaking any work, and if you have questions about your zoning, please contact the Planning Services Department.
Additional Residential Units (ARUs)
An Additional Residential Unit (ARU) can be:
- a second home that is attached to the main house with a separate living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance; and/or
- a second home that is detached from the main house with a separate living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance.
Common examples of an ARU include:
- A basement apartment or in-law suite
- A garden suite, coach house or tiny home
- An addition to an existing home to make space for a new, separate unit
In Ontario, provincial legislation allows up to three residential units per lot (a primary dwelling and up to two ARUs).
ARU Benefits
ARUs offer many benefits, such as:
- Housing family members in their own space
- Options for intergenerational living and aging-in-place
- Adding affordable housing options to neighbourhoods throughout the Town
- Creating rental income to help homeowners pay their mortgage
Check out our Zoning By-law 2021-128 (link) for specific ARU provisions.
The Town allows up to two ARUs for properties that are zoned to permit a single detached dwelling, a semi-detached dwelling, and/or a street townhouse dwelling. According to the Town’s Zoning By-law 2021-128, ARUs are permitted in accordance with the regulations specified by the applicable zone category, and may be built in the following configurations:
- One Additional Dwelling Unit (Attached) in addition to the primary dwelling.
- One Additional Dwelling Unit (Detached) in addition to the primary dwelling.
- One Additional Dwelling Unit (Attached) and One Accessory Dwelling Unit (Detached) in addition to the primary dwelling.
- Two Additional Dwelling Units (Attached) in addition to the primary dwelling unit.
For full zoning provisions and technical requirements regarding ARUs, please see Section 2.1.1 of the Town’s Zoning by-law 2021-128.
Prior to applying for a building permit, you may need to check if you are in a regulated area using the mapping tool linked below.
If your property is regulated, you may require a permit from your Conservation Authority before applying for a building permit. Additionally, your ARU may be required to comply with further setback requirements.
Your ARU must meet Ontario Building Code (OBC) standards for safety and liveability. For more information, please reach out to our Building Department at building@newtecumseth.ca.
Regarding ongoing changes to provincial policy, the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07) took effect January 1, 2026, including important changes that impact additional residential units. Among other direction, the update requires additional carbon monoxide alarms in houses and multi-unit residences with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages. These updates are in place across the province to improve household safety and prevent incidents caused by carbon monoxide exposure.
Additional Fire Code changes relate to:
- Maintenance and testing of life-safety systems
- Definitions and referenced technical standards
- Certain multi-unit residential building requirements
While not all changes directly affect every ARU, property owners should be aware that other life-safety provisions may apply depending on your building’s design and features.
Owners are encouraged to:
- Check your alarms: Make sure you currently have CO alarms installed in the required areas.
- Maintain your alarms: Test alarms regularly and replace them when they expire (approximately every 5–10 years).
- Inspect appliances annually: Have all fuel-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician and ensure vents and exhausts are clear of snow, debris, or obstructions.
- Combination Smoke/CO Alarms on each level of your home may be used to meet this requirement.
Once you have confirmed with the Planning Department that your property’s zoning permits an ARU, you may submit your building permit application by emailing it to building@newtecumseth.ca. To help ensure your application is complete and processed without delay, please also confirm that your proposed drawings meet all applicable zoning requirements. For zoning inquiries, you can contact the Planning Department at planning@newtecumseth.ca.