Secondary units are self-contained residential units with a private kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping areas within dwellings or within structures ancillary to a dwelling (e.g., above laneway garages). Second units are also referred to as secondary suites, basement apartments, accessory apartments, granny flats, in-law apartments, or nanny suites.

Collingwood recently passed an incentive to expand the rules for accessory apartments and secondary suites in the community. This will allow secondary suites in semi-detached homes with larger frontages and allow coach houses on detached homes.

Financial Inventives

Renting out a garden suite or secondary unit is a great way to fill a housing need in our area, while providing you with some extra income each month.

• The Secondary Suites Program is offered throughout Ontario as an effective way to increase the supply of affordable housing.
• Applicants can receive funding of up to $25,000 per unit for the creation of a secondary or garden suite.
• Funding can only be used to create or legalize secondary suites in zoned residential properties. Both Simcoe and Grey County offer this program to local residents.
• Funding amount is based on the cost to create the secondary suite and amount of equity in the home.
• Funding in each county is limited and depending on the amount of funding available, applicants may be advised that they are on a waiting list.
• Property taxes and mortgage must be paid up-to-date.
• Application intake for the Secondary Suites Program is year round.
• Construction must begin within 4 months of receiving funding approval and suite must be available for rent within 2 months of project completion.
• The unit must be rented to a tenant whose income meets program guidelines.  These amounts are indicated on the Secondary Suite application.
• The unit can be rented to family members.