What is a garden suite?

A garden suite is a self-contained home built in the back yard of an existing house, with its own kitchen, bathroom, living area and entrance. It is the detached form of an additional residential unit, also called a backyard suite, garden house or granny flat. A laneway house is the version that fronts onto a rear public lane.

Can I build a garden suite in Etobicoke?

It depends on your specific lot. The main tests are lot size and rear-yard depth, setbacks and separation from the main house, maximum height and footprint, a clear unobstructed emergency access route from the street, and the servicing run for water, sanitary and hydro. Deomax checks all of these on a free site visit before any drawings are paid for.

What drives the cost of a garden suite?

Size and model, how far the water, sanitary and hydro have to be trenched and what is in the way, whether machinery can reach the back yard or material must be carried, soft costs such as survey, drawings, engineering and permit fees, and the finish level.

How long does a garden suite take to build?

Plan it in two halves. Approvals, meaning survey, design, permit application and any minor variance, are the longer and less predictable half. Construction is comparatively predictable once the permit is issued. Starting the drawings and the servicing investigation early shortens the total more than rushing the build does.

Garden Suite, Backyard House in Etobicoke ☑️ Deomax

Garden Suites in Etobicoke: What Is Different Here

Etobicoke is part of the City of Toronto, so Toronto’s city-wide garden suite permissions and Toronto Building’s permit process apply here, not a separate Etobicoke by-law. The City’s program page is Toronto garden suites, and we have written up the detail in garden suite zoning by-laws in Etobicoke.

Etobicoke lots are the good news. Compared with the older core, much of Etobicoke, particularly Alderwood, Markland Wood, Princess-Rosethorn, Eatonville and Richview, has wide post-war lots with deep rear yards and a usable side yard. That is close to ideal for a detached suite: room for the setbacks, and a real route for machinery and for emergency access.
Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch are different. South of the Queensway the lots are narrower and older, and several streets have rear lanes. On those, check whether a laneway suite is the better build before defaulting to a garden suite.
Grade and drainage near the lakeshore. Rear yards in the lakeshore neighbourhoods often fall away from the house. Grade change affects the foundation choice and the sanitary connection, so it is measured at the site visit rather than assumed.
We are local. Two of our three offices are in Etobicoke, at 551 The West Mall and 7 Sixteenth St.

Before you start, read: Ontario Bill 23 and backyard suites, garden suite zoning by-laws, the difference between laneway, garden and carriage homes, garden suite utility connections, how to price your garden suite for profit and garden suite design ideas.

Thinking of building a Garden Suite in etobicoke? Let’s make it happen!

Add value and space to your Etobicoke home with a private, detached garden suite. Whether it’s for extended family, passive income, or personal use, we help homeowners turn empty backyard space into a fully functional living unit- designed around your needs.

Free Consultation

Free Assessment

Free Site Visit

OUR Garden SUITE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

From the first site visit to final city inspections, we manage every part of your garden suite build. We know Etobicoke’s lot conditions, Toronto zoning regulations, and utility requirements inside and out so you don’t have to stress about permits or compliance.

Step 1: Plan

Work with our team to design a customized plan for your one-bedroom or studio garden suite that fits your property and meets all city requirements.

Deomax Group design stage icon for the renovation process

Step 2: Design

Once your planning is complete, collaborate with our experts to finalize a custom design for your one-bedroom or studio garden suite.

Step 3: Build

Once the designing is over, it’s finally time to get our hands dirty and build you the most amazing garden house ever as per your requirements.

Step 4: Clean

After we are done building your dream backyard house, we clean the area professionally. It’s time to find tenants or move in your extended family!

Tailor-Made Garden Homes Designed for Etobicoke Backyards

No two Etobicoke properties are the same and your garden suite shouldn’t be either. Whether you’re working with a narrow lot in Mimico or a spacious yard in The Kingsway, we’ll design your suite from scratch based on your goals and property layout.

Garden suites in Etobicoke are allowed on lots with single-detached, semi-detached and townhouses under Toronto’s garden suite zoning bylaws. These homes typically include a full kitchen, washroom, bedroom, and living space – all built to current building codes and energy standards.

We take care of architectural design, grading plans, site assessments and permit-ready drawings. Everything is built around your land, your budget and your future plans.

Etobicoke Garden Suite Rules You Should Know

Because Etobicoke falls under the City of Toronto, it follows the same garden suite regulations passed city-wide. Here’s a breakdown of the key rules:

Where you can build: Only in rear yards. Front and side yards are not permitted.
Max size allowed: Up to 60 square meters or 40% of your backyard, whichever is smaller.
Setbacks required:

-Rear lot line – 1.2 meters minimum

-Side lot lines – 0.6 meters minimum

-Distance from main house – at least 1.2 meters

Height: Up to 4.0 meters total height
Access path: 1.0-meter-wide walkway from the front of the property to the suite entrance
Other restrictions: No rooftop patios or balconies allowed

NOTE: We stay up to date with city bylaw updates and will guide you through every technical detail. More info available on Toronto’s official garden suite page.

Applying for a Garden Suite Permit in Etobicoke

Not sure where to begin? Here’s what the process typically looks like:

Initial site check – We assess your property’s eligibility and dimensions.
Zoning compliance – We confirm that your lot meets all City of Toronto garden suite requirements.
Custom designs & drawings – You get architectural renderings, grading plans, and all permit-ready documents.
Permits & city approvals – We handle all submissions, communication with city staff, and required revisions.
Construction & inspections – We build to code, book city inspections, and keep the project moving without delays.
Final occupancy – We submit your ESA Certificate and ensure your suite is registered and move-in ready.

Garden Suite Pricing in Etobicoke

While Toronto-wide averages run between $250,000 and $550,000, our streamlined process allows us to build more affordably. You can expect our all-in costs to range from $350 to $600 per square foot, depending on your suite’s size and finishes.

Price Breakdown by Size

Smaller suites cost more per square foot because fixed expenses like kitchens, bathrooms, and utilities are spread over less space.

Small (300 – 600 sq. ft.): $450 – $650 / sq. ft. (Great for home offices or studios)
Medium (600 – 800 sq. ft.): $400 – $500 / sq. ft. (The sweet spot for a 1 or 2-bedroom)
Large (800 – 1,200+ sq. ft.): $350 – $450 / sq. ft. (Best value; ideal for families or premium rentals)

Backyard “Soft Costs”

Before construction starts, you will encounter soft costs to get your project approved and ready to build. For an Etobicoke suite, these usually run between $15,000 and $50,000 and cover:

Design & Architecture: Blueprints and layouts.
Engineering & HVAC: Structural safety and energy plans.
City Permits: Official approvals from the City of Toronto.
Surveys & Arborist Reports: Tree preservation reviews, which are highly critical for Etobicoke’s mature lots.

Add Your Own Style to Your Garden Suite

Even with size and height limits, you still have plenty of flexibility to choose your suite’s look and feel. From the window layout and trim to interior finishes like flooring, cabinetry, tile and fixtures- we’ll help you create a space that fits your personal taste and budget.

Customize Your Garden Suite

From Planning to Move-In- We Handle It All

Our team has helped dozens of Toronto homeowners bring backyard suites to life and Etobicoke is no exception. We’re proud to serve neighbourhoods from Long Branch to Rexdale and everywhere in between.

We build suites that are warm, safe, energy-efficient, and ready for whatever you plan to use them for rentals, guest houses, in-law units, or personal retreats.

Our Garden Suite Construction Projects

City Compliant Move-in Ready Garden Houses Etobicoke

Our package handles everything from the initial consult to final cleaning, so you can occupy or rent out your suite immediately.

What’s Included in Our Full Garden Suite Build

Whether you’re planning to rent it out or use it yourself, your garden suite will be 100% complete and ready for occupancy- no extra contractors needed.

Custom mouldings and trims
Electrical upgrades
Flooring installation
Insulation improvements
Baseboards
Plaster and drywall repair
Kitchen installations

Door replacements
Professional painting
Plumbing work
Interior waterproofing
Bathroom renovations
Bedroom setups
And much more!

Wall removal
Mouldings and trims
Electrical
Flooring
Insulation
Baseboards
Plaster repair
Kitchens
Basements
Doors
Drywall
Painting
Plumbing
Baseboards
Interior waterproofing
Staircases
Bathrooms
And so much more!

    
 
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you want commercial, but done professional reach out now to Deomax! Dmytro is the best when it comes to reaching on time and getting work done the right way on projects. You can tell he truly cares about the quality of the work and the success of the project. Great experience working with him and his team.
  
 
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   Greg Cipryk 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I just completed an extensive house Reno with Dmytro and his team and I couldn’t be happier. Deomax got a tremendous amount of work done in a relatively quick time frame and he was ahead of schedule. We weren’t the easiest customer in the world and there were many jobs that came up and extended the scope of work. Outside of the quality of work and timelines, the biggest thing I was impressed with was how much care and detail Dmytro put into the project. Any additional work or issues that came up were explained in great detailed, he guided us without being pushy, he allowed us to make the decisions but was a trusted advisor. It was our first time taking in a project like this, it shouldn’t wasn’t easy but Dmytro and his team were a key reason it was a success. Easy 5 stars for me, would never hesitate to recommend him to anyone and I’m certain we will be using him for work in the future.
  
 
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   Youri Makovski 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service. Easy scheduling and punctual crew. Everything went smoothly and quality of work of outstanding. Would definitely recommend for your next renovation.
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I  highly recommend Deomax for all your renovation projects.   Dmytro is a pleasure to work with.  He is highly reliable, knowledgeable and has always been very responsive and honest to all of our questions or concerns.  We will definitely rely on him for any future projects and are very satisfied with all the work he has done for us so far.
  
 
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   Kristen Grinyer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deomax Group completed a full bathroom renovation in my home. From the first consultation right to the end of the renovation, Dmytro and his employees were concise, professional, and respectful. Dmytro listened to my vision, worked to make it happen and provided solutions and options for any disruptions/ surprises (which happens in old Toronto homes!). Because of Dmytro's professionalism & consistent communication he showed from the beginning, I felt confident to have him & his crew start our project while I was away for 2 weeks. He kept me updated throughout the progression, which was greatly appreciated. Dmytro & his employees take pride in their work and it shows in the quality. Home renovations can be very personal with unique visions &  preferences. I think Dmytro understands this and will seek out the best employee for the task, ie: tiling, trim work, ect. When I had questions along the way of the renovation, Dmytro and his employees took the time to listen and answer them. To sum this all up, choosing Deomax Group to complete my bathroom renovation in 4 weeks, was a very pleasant experience. I'll definitely be using them for future home renovation! ***UPDATE 1.5yrs LATER*** I am pleased to update this review. Deomax had called me recently to simply check in on the quality and performance of my renovated bathroom. To which there were a couple mishaps that I thought I would have to live with or get fixed on my own. I explained an issue with my sink & Dmytro listen and suggested a solution and it worked! Also, one of my baseboards on an exterior facing wall had cracked due to weather change. This I thought I'd just have to live with. Again, Dmytro provided a solution and came and fixed it within a week! If Deomax did not have do a quality check service call, (1.5 years later!) I would still be dealing with this issues today! Thank you Deomax & Dmytro for the excellent service & quality of work!
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dmytro looked after a major renovation for a 100+year home in the Birch Cliff area in the east end of Toronto. Was able to come up with some cost savings strategies and finished the job ahead of schedule. Challenging job that was successfully completed 👍🏻👍🏻
  
 
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   Bram van Staalduinen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We selected Dmytro and his team after several interviews with potential contractors for our home renovation.  As part of our initial quote, he shared several innovative and cost savings ideas for our project.  During the project, communication was always on point and prompt.  His team was always punctual and tidied up daily, which was appreciated, we were living in the home during the renovation.  With Dmytro, there were no unexpected changes to the quotes, and we were always informed and aligned on changes.   We were pleased with the quality of the work and will use Deomax for future renovations,
  
 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hire, Dima and his team to do the bathroom renovation in our townhouse. The job was done fast, clean and for affordable price. Highly recommend Deomax Group.
  
 
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   Sara Rosa 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deomax helped us with a bathroom renovation this fall. Dmytro and his team did a great job, started and finished on time and the attention to detail was much appreciated. Dmytro is great at responding to any questions and is very passionate about his work. There was a little hiccup during the demolition, but it was addressed quickly and handled professionally.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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We had the guys from Deomax redo our kitchen for us and we could not be happier with the work.

We have a more modern kitchen now that is far more functional than our old design.

Dennis T.

I called Deomax to help me with our basement, and I am so glad that I did. They gave us an incredible and beautiful space.

Couldn't recommend them enough.

Tracey B.

Deomax did an amazing job in the bathroom in our master bedroom. They made it way more functional for us.

I would recommend them to anyone. Thanks guys!

Thomas R.

Highly recommend! Completed my kitchen remodelling with Deomax and am very happy with the results. Workmanship is top notch (even the small details like electrical and plumbing done to maximize space) and they completed all the work on time. Thank you so much!

Sunny L.

Reached out to Dmytro from Deomax Group with commercial washroom project. He was prompt on response, professional and fast. Project from start to end went smooth and I am very happy with the work and final results. Thank you to Dmytro and his crew, will definitely call for the future projects. Highly recommend!

Daniil V.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Suites in Etobicoke

Can I build a garden suite on any Etobicoke lot?

As long as your property has a detached, semi-detached, or townhouse and enough space in the rear yard to meet the setback rules, you likely qualify. A site assessment will confirm eligibility.

How long does the entire building process take?

From first design to final occupancy, most builds take 6 to 12 months, depending on permits and site conditions.

Are garden suites allowed in laneways too?

No- laneway suites are a different category. Garden suites apply to lots that don’t have laneway access.

Do I need to provide parking?

No parking space is required for a garden suite. However, 2 bicycle parking spots must be included.

Can I use the garden suite as a rental unit?

Yes, garden suites in Etobicoke can be rented out long-term as secondary dwellings. Just make sure it meets building and fire code and is registered with the city.

Garden Suite Construction in Etobicoke

Affordable Garden Suites & Backyard Houses