Garden suites & ADUs · Brantford
Garden Suites in Brantford
Brantford lets you put an additional dwelling unit in a backyard accessory structure, and up to three units in total on a lot. The rules are those of the city's newer Comprehensive Zoning By-law 124-2024.
The rules, in plain language
What Brantford allows
Brantford's Zoning By-law 124-2024 (September 2026 office consolidation, Section 3.2) allows additional dwelling units with single detached, semi-detached, street townhouse and block townhouse dwellings, including in an accessory structure. A detached unit follows the zone's rules plus the accessory structure rules in Section 3.1.
How many and where
- Up to 3 dwelling units on a lot.
- Accessory structures go in the rear or interior side yard, and at least 3.0 m from a street line (more where a garage door faces the street).
- Source: Brantford Zoning By-law 124-2024, as of November 1, 2026
Height
- Accessory structures in residential and mixed-use zones: 3.5 m with a flat roof, 4.5 m with a pitched roof.
- Source: Brantford Zoning By-law 124-2024, Table 1, as of November 1, 2026
Coverage and access
- On serviced lots with an additional unit, lot coverage is the greater of 45% or the zone limit. The detached unit follows the zone's coverage, not the 10% accessory limit.
- A clear path at least 1.2 m wide from the front or exterior side lot line to the unit's door.
- A door can't face a side or rear yard with a setback under 1.2 m.
- No basement units in the Flood Protection Overlay.
- Source: Brantford Zoning By-law 124-2024, Section 3.2, as of November 1, 2026
Check with the city: the by-law sets 0.6 m side and rear setbacks for accessory structures without doors or windows facing that line, but setbacks for a unit with windows aren't clear from what we read. Confirm them, along with any floor area limit, with Brantford Planning. Fees and development charges aren't stated.
How we build it
Five ways to build in Brantford
01
Geohaus factory-built
Perimeter Homes is a Geohaus partner. Studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts built in a factory and set on your lot.
See the Geohaus layouts02
Modular / prefab
Factory-built modular garden suites and backyard homes, with sizes adjustable to your lot and local rules.
Browse the model gallery03
Custom stick-built
Framed on site for tight, sloped or oddly shaped lots, or a layout no catalogue covers.
How custom worksEvery design still has to fit Brantford's zoning for your lot. We check that before you commit.
Common questions
Brantford garden suite FAQ
Can I build a garden suite in Brantford?
Yes. Brantford allows an additional dwelling unit in an accessory structure, with up to 3 units per lot.
How tall?
Accessory structures are limited to 3.5 m (flat roof) or 4.5 m (pitched roof).
Which zoning by-law applies?
The Comprehensive Zoning By-law 124-2024.
Sources
Official city sources
- Brantford Zoning By-law 124-2024 (Sept 2026 consolidation) (as of November 1, 2026)
- Build Brantford: Accessory dwelling units (as of November 1, 2026)
This guide summarizes public city information and isn't planning or legal advice. Rules change. Confirm your lot with the city before you apply.
Start here
Talk to a garden suite builder.
Tell us about your lot and which option you're considering. We reply within one business day.