Toronto Introduces Pre-Approved Fourplex and Sixplex Designs to Speed Up Homebuilding
Toronto has released free, pre-approved designs for fourplexes and sixplexes as part of an expansion of its Pre-Approved Building Plans Program. Announced on October 2, the designs are intended for both wide and narrow lots in the city’s residential neighbourhoods. They build on an existing collection of plans for garden and laneway suites. The City says the ready-made designs can give property owners a head start when planning additional homes. Developed by an architectural firm chosen through a competitive process, the plans meet the Ontario Building Code. They include options for sustainable features, bicycle parking and waste storage, and were developed with accessibility, climate resilience, cost and ease of construction in mind. The new plans complement broader changes to Toronto’s multiplex rules. Fourplexes are permitted city-wide, while permission for sixplexes depends on location. Where a proposed building meets zoning requirements, an owner can apply directly for a building permit without going to the Committee of Adjustment. Using a City design does not eliminate the need for a permit review or property-specific work. Applicants must still hire a qualified design professional to take responsibility for the design and prepare the drawings and information required for their site.
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