File No: Z-016/23 (ZNG-7027) & OPA 172 (OPA-7028)

The City of Windsor has initiated amendments to its Official Plan and zoning by-laws concerning additional dwelling units (also referred to as additional residential units, accessory apartments, secondary suites, second units, or in-law flats).

The proposed amendments apply citywide, and accordingly no key map is provided.

The purpose of the amendments is to bring the City of Windsor Official Plan and zoning by-laws into conformity with recent changes made to the Planning Act through Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, which requires municipal official plans and zoning by-laws to contain policies authorizing the use of additional residential units.

To conform with Bill 23: The More Homes Built Faster Act, Windsor’s Official Plan and zoning by-laws require minor housekeeping revisions to permit two additional dwelling units (up to a total of three units) within the primary structure and/or one unit within a building or structure ancillary to such dwellings. The proposed amendments would also define "residential urban parcel of land."

Details of proposed amendments:

• Permits Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in a single detached, semi-detached, duplex, or row house dwelling and/or within a building or structure ancillary to such dwellings
• Permits two additional units (total of three dwelling units) in the primary unit, provided no additional unit is located in a detached structure to a maximum of three units per lot or permits one additional unit (total of two dwelling units) in the primary structure and one additional unit in a detached structure up to a maximum of three dwelling units per lot
• Requires ADUs to be located on a serviced parcel of urban residential land designated for residential use in the Official Plan schedules
• Removes reference to minimum unit sizes
• Amends the current policy to include parcels that permit duplex dwellings

Note: If additional information is required regarding this matter, please contact Frank Garardo – Planning Policy, Planning Department at 519-255-6543 ext. 6446 or alternatively Greg Atkinson - Planning Policy, Planning Department, at 519-255-6543 ext. 6582.