Laneway & Garden Suite Permit in Toronto, ON

Permits for laneway houses, garden suites, and accessory dwelling units.

Total Issued
2,230
All time
Avg. Processing
121 days
Application to approval
Active Permits
1,950
Currently open
Median Processing
79 days
50th percentile

Where Are Laneway/ADU Permits Being Issued?

Permit Volume Over Time

Processing Time Trend

Average days from application to approval

Year-over-Year Growth

Percentage change in permits issued vs previous year

Top Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Permits Issued Share
M6H 175 7.8%
M6G 170 7.6%
M6E 122 5.5%
M6J 120 5.4%
M6P 93 4.2%
M4C 76 3.4%
M4J 72 3.2%
M6N 61 2.7%
M4K 61 2.7%
M6R 60 2.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a laneway & garden suite permit in Toronto?

Yes, most laneway & garden suite projects in Toronto require a building permit from the city. Based on our data, Toronto has issued 2,230 laneway & garden suite permits to date, making it one of the most common permit types in the city. Requirements vary depending on the scope and size of the project. Contact Toronto's building department for specific requirements for your project.

How long does it take to get a laneway & garden suite permit in Toronto?

Based on our analysis of 2,230 permits, the average processing time for a laneway & garden suite permit in Toronto is 121 days from application to approval. Processing times have been decreasing in recent years. In 2026, the average was 106 days.

How many laneway & garden suite permits are issued in Toronto each year?

Toronto issues approximately 188 laneway & garden suite permits per year. Our data covers 2016 to present, with a total of 2,230 permits tracked. The number of laneway & garden suite permits has generally increased over time.

Which neighbourhoods in Toronto have the most laneway & garden suite permits?

The top neighbourhoods for laneway & garden suite permits in Toronto are M6H (175 permits), M6G (170 permits), and M6E (122 permits). These areas account for 21% of all laneway & garden suite permits in the city.

How much does a laneway & garden suite project cost in Toronto?

Based on construction values reported on 2,230 permits, the average laneway & garden suite project in Toronto has a construction value of $190,887. The median value is $100,000, which may be more representative as it excludes outliers. Note that this is the total project construction cost, not the permit fee.

Are laneway & garden suite permits increasing or decreasing in Toronto?

Laneway/ADU permit activity in Toronto has been increasing in recent years. In 2026, 188 permits were issued, compared to 303 in 2023.

What is the laneway & garden suite permit process in Toronto?

The typical process for a laneway & garden suite permit in Toronto involves: 1) Preparing your project plans and documentation, 2) Submitting your application to Toronto's building department, 3) Paying the applicable permit fees, 4) Waiting for plan review and approval (average 121 days), 5) Receiving your permit and beginning construction, and 6) Scheduling required inspections during and after construction.

How does Toronto compare to other Canadian cities for laneway & garden suite permits?

Toronto is one of 14 major Canadian cities we track for laneway & garden suite permit data. With an average processing time of 121 days, you can compare Toronto's laneway & garden suite permit statistics including volume trends, processing times, and neighbourhood breakdowns with other cities on our national laneway & garden suite permit comparison page.