How many units can go on one lot?
Three in all, on most lots. For land inside the urban boundary on city water and sewer, the City says: A maximum of 2 ADUs can be located on a parcel of urban residential land which is within the Urban Area Boundary on which residential use is permitted and is served by municipal sewer and water services, subject to meeting all zoning regulations.
Its table then sets a TOTAL maximum of 3 dwelling units on a lot
. (City of Niagara Falls, Additional Dwelling Units, Zoning By-law No. 79-200) A basement or attic apartment counts as an interior unit; a converted garage or garden suite as an exterior one. The provincial rule behind this is in adding a rental unit.
Does an added unit need a building permit?
Yes, every time. A building permit is required in the City of Niagara Falls for any ADU
, and the fees are calculated based on a rate for the finished floor area
. The new unit also gets its own address: A unit address will be assigned by the City following a Building Permit application being made.
(City of Niagara Falls, Additional Dwelling Units) Which other renovation jobs need a permit is in permits for rental renovations.
Where does the tenant park?
On the lot. One parking space is required per ADU, which may be provided in tandem. On-street parking is not permitted.
(City of Niagara Falls, Additional Dwelling Units) Tandem means one car behind another in the same driveway.
Can the new unit be a vacation rental?
Not in a residential zone. ADUs in residential zones cannot be used as a Vacation Rental Unit (VRU).
The City lists the zones where one might be allowed: Tourist Commercial (TC), General Commercial (GC), or Central Business (CB) zones
. (City of Niagara Falls, Additional Dwelling Units) The City's separate owner-occupied short-term rental program was a pilot, and its page now says: The 14-month pilot project has ended.
(City of Niagara Falls, Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals) So plan an added unit for long-term tenants.
What proves the unit is legal?
The permit. Even garbage pickup asks for it: to start collection for a new unit, you must provide proof from the City that the ADU is legally established. This proof is usually a Building Permit and/or Occupancy Permit for each new ADU.
(City of Niagara Falls, Additional Dwelling Units) Keep the permit with the property's papers.
What do you do in Niagara Falls?
The construction: framing, drywall, kitchens, flooring, doors and trim for new rental units and build-outs, and property turnovers once the unit is rented. Investors adding units can start with work for real estate investors. Call (905) 920-1418, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm, or send the details on the request page.
This is a plain summary of the City's pages, not legal advice. The by-law and the City's staff are what count.