Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

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As a result of recent changes in provincial legislation, all municipalities across Ontario are required to permit Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in detached, link, semi-detached, townhouse dwellings, and in ancillary buildings or structures.

Additional Residential Units are separate, self-contained dwelling units with a private entrance, cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities, provided for the exclusive use of those residing within the unit. An Additional Residential Unit may be located within the primary dwelling (referred to as an Attached Additional Residential Unit or ARU) or within an ancillary building or structure (referred to as a Detached Additional Residential Unit or DARU) on the same lot as the primary dwelling. 

These units may be configured as follows: 

  • One (1) primary dwelling unit and up to two (2) Additional Residential Units within the same building; or 

  • One (1) primary dwelling unit and one (1) Additional Residential Unit within the same building and one (1) Detached Additional Residential Unit on the same lot. 

At this time, Newmarket does not have specific zoning regulations for DARUs. To address this, the Town is updating its Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to introduce new policies and zoning regulations that are consistent with provincial policy direction and support Newmarket’s goal of providing more affordable housing options. These new policies and zoning regulations will apply to all new Attached Additional Residential Unit (ARUs) and Detached Additional Residential Units (DARUs).

As part of this initiative, a statutory Public Meeting will be held to gather community feedback.

When: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Where: Municipal Offices – Council Chambers (395 Mulock Drive) or streamed live online at Newmarket.ca/Meetings

How to get involved 

  • Explore the documents and resources provided on this page to learn more about this new initiative. 

  • Provide your feedback on the proposed amendments using the 'Feedback' module below or by emailing Planning@Newmarket.ca by November 28, 2025. 

  • Attend the upcoming statutory Public Meeting to share your ideas and provide your feedback. 


Overview of Provincial Legislation 

As a result of Provincial legislation changes (through Bill 108 - More Homes, More Choice Act (2019), Ontario Regulation 299/19 (2019 and amended), and Bill 23: More Homes, Built Faster Act (2022)), municipalities in Ontario are required to allow ARUs in detached, link, semi-detached, townhouses and in ancillary detached buildings or structures.

The Province implemented specific provisions to regulate these units, including but not limited to:

  • Authorizing up to three (3) residential units in a house OR two (2) residential units in a house and one (1) residential unit in a building or structure ancillary to the house. 

  • An ARU may be occupied by any person, regardless of whether or not the primary or additional unit(s) are occupied by the owner. 

  • One parking space must be provided for each ARU and the parking space may be provided in tandem.

  • ARUs are exempt from development charges.

Additional zoning provisions are being explored through the current initiative for implementation through an amendment to the Town’s zoning by-laws.

Some design elements for ARUs and DARUs that the Town of Newmarket can regulate include:

  • Yard setbacks

  • Building height

  • Fire and pedestrian access

  • Maximum size of the DARUs

  • Location and type of amenity space such as porches, decks, steps, balconies, or rooftop amenity space

As a result of recent changes in provincial legislation, all municipalities across Ontario are required to permit Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in detached, link, semi-detached, townhouse dwellings, and in ancillary buildings or structures.

Additional Residential Units are separate, self-contained dwelling units with a private entrance, cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities, provided for the exclusive use of those residing within the unit. An Additional Residential Unit may be located within the primary dwelling (referred to as an Attached Additional Residential Unit or ARU) or within an ancillary building or structure (referred to as a Detached Additional Residential Unit or DARU) on the same lot as the primary dwelling. 

These units may be configured as follows: 

  • One (1) primary dwelling unit and up to two (2) Additional Residential Units within the same building; or 

  • One (1) primary dwelling unit and one (1) Additional Residential Unit within the same building and one (1) Detached Additional Residential Unit on the same lot. 

At this time, Newmarket does not have specific zoning regulations for DARUs. To address this, the Town is updating its Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to introduce new policies and zoning regulations that are consistent with provincial policy direction and support Newmarket’s goal of providing more affordable housing options. These new policies and zoning regulations will apply to all new Attached Additional Residential Unit (ARUs) and Detached Additional Residential Units (DARUs).

As part of this initiative, a statutory Public Meeting will be held to gather community feedback.

When: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Where: Municipal Offices – Council Chambers (395 Mulock Drive) or streamed live online at Newmarket.ca/Meetings

How to get involved 

  • Explore the documents and resources provided on this page to learn more about this new initiative. 

  • Provide your feedback on the proposed amendments using the 'Feedback' module below or by emailing Planning@Newmarket.ca by November 28, 2025. 

  • Attend the upcoming statutory Public Meeting to share your ideas and provide your feedback. 


Overview of Provincial Legislation 

As a result of Provincial legislation changes (through Bill 108 - More Homes, More Choice Act (2019), Ontario Regulation 299/19 (2019 and amended), and Bill 23: More Homes, Built Faster Act (2022)), municipalities in Ontario are required to allow ARUs in detached, link, semi-detached, townhouses and in ancillary detached buildings or structures.

The Province implemented specific provisions to regulate these units, including but not limited to:

  • Authorizing up to three (3) residential units in a house OR two (2) residential units in a house and one (1) residential unit in a building or structure ancillary to the house. 

  • An ARU may be occupied by any person, regardless of whether or not the primary or additional unit(s) are occupied by the owner. 

  • One parking space must be provided for each ARU and the parking space may be provided in tandem.

  • ARUs are exempt from development charges.

Additional zoning provisions are being explored through the current initiative for implementation through an amendment to the Town’s zoning by-laws.

Some design elements for ARUs and DARUs that the Town of Newmarket can regulate include:

  • Yard setbacks

  • Building height

  • Fire and pedestrian access

  • Maximum size of the DARUs

  • Location and type of amenity space such as porches, decks, steps, balconies, or rooftop amenity space

Questions and/or Feedback

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Page last updated: 07 Nov 2025, 04:23 PM