Public service announcement 

The Town invites the community to provide feedback as it begins the process of updating its Official Plan policies and zoning by-law regulations to align with provincial legislation regulating additional residential units (ARUs). 

ARUs are self-contained residential dwellings containing its own kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities. ARUs can be located within a detached house, semi-detached house, townhouse or detached accessory structure on the same property as the primary residence. Examples of ARUs include basement apartments, granny flats, coach houses, laneway houses, garden suites and in-law suites.  

In an effort to increase housing options and supply throughout the province, the provincial government has recently made changes to The Planning Act that allows two ARUs on an urban residential lot containing a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse. This would allow for the possibility of up to three residential units on a single urban property. The provincial legislation does not require permissions for ARUs on rural properties. However, through the consultation for legislated changes to urban properties, the Town is also exploring the possibility of ARUs on rural properties.

Milton residents can provide feedback and participate in online surveys on the Town’s digital engagement platform, Let’s Talk Milton. Input from the surveys and feedback forum will help shape Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments.

Visit milton.ca/ARU to learn more about this project and to subscribe to project updates.

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For media inquiries, please contact: 

Diane Medeiros
Communications Advisor
Email Communications Staff