Garden suites & ADUs · Pickering
Garden Suites in Pickering
Pickering calls a garden suite a detached additional dwelling unit (ADU): a self-contained unit in a building accessory to a detached house, semi, block townhouse or street townhouse.
The rules, in plain language
What Pickering allows
Pickering allows additional dwelling units under Zoning By-law 3036 as amended by By-law 8036/23, which expanded ADU permissions after the province's changes. Pickering's ADU page notes that the province limits what municipalities can regulate for ADUs: size, height, distance from lot lines, and parking (up to one space).
Where and how many
- One ADU within the main house and one in an accessory building, on detached, semi, block townhouse and street townhouse lots.
- Source: By-law 8036/23, as of November 1, 2026
Parking
- 1 space per ADU in most areas.
- 0 spaces in the City Centre neighbourhood.
- Within 500 m walk of Kingston Road or Pickering GO: 1 space for the first ADU and 0 for the second.
- Source: By-law 8036/23, as of November 1, 2026
Size and height (city presentation)
- Pickering's public meeting material shows a maximum floor area of 150 m², limited further by 50% of the main house's floor area and lot coverage.
- Height shown: 4.5 m on lots of 2,000 m² or less, and up to 6.5 m on larger lots.
- A 1.2 m setback is shown from the lot lines.
- Source: City of Pickering public meeting presentation, as of November 1, 2026
Check with the city: the size and height numbers come from Pickering's public meeting presentation, not the final consolidated by-law. Confirm the in-force standards, including whether By-law 3036 or the newer Seaton or Kingston Road zoning applies to your lot. Fees, development charges and servicing aren't stated on these pages.
How we build it
Five ways to build in Pickering
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 Pickering's zoning for your lot. We check that before you commit.
Common questions
Pickering garden suite FAQ
Can I build a garden suite in Pickering?
Yes, as a detached ADU on detached, semi and townhouse lots that meet the zoning.
Do I need a parking space?
Generally 1 per ADU, 0 in the City Centre, and reduced near Kingston Road and Pickering GO.
How big can it be?
The city's presentation shows up to 150 m², limited by 50% of the house's floor area and lot coverage. Confirm the final by-law.
Sources
Official city sources
- City of Pickering: Additional Dwelling Units (as of November 1, 2026)
- Pickering By-law 8036/23 (as of November 1, 2026)
- Pickering ADU public meeting presentation (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.