Open House information now available
Thanks to everyone who has joined us at one of our open houses this month. Our last open house will be Jan. 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queen’s Boulevard).
We've added the open house posters to this page. They give more information about the benefits and considerations in enabling four units on a lot, as well as some examples of what that might look like. Read onwards or view as a PDF
If you have comments or feedback, please reach out to us at EnablingFourUnits@kitchener.ca or call the Planning division at 519-741-2426 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994).
About the project
'Enabling Four Units’ is exploring the creation of zoning regulations to allow up to four dwelling units on a lot where a single-detached, semi-detached, or street-fronting townhouse dwelling is a permitted use.
Already permitted (up to three units):
- 3 units in primary
- 2 units in primary and 1 unit in detached
Under consideration (up to four units):
- 4 units in primary
- 3 units in primary and 1 unit in detached
- 2 units in primary and 2 units in detached
Benefits and considerations for enabling four units on a lot
Benefits of four units on a lot:
- Adds gentle density with more housing options
- Responds to growing housing demand
- Supports multi-generational households
- Additional source of revenue for homeowners
- Improves housing attainability
- Efficient use of infrastructure
Considerations for enabling four units on a lot:
- Servicing capacity
- Site layout and functionality
- Addition to existing versus purpose built
- Parking
- Setbacks and separation
- Building heights
What can additional units on a lot look like?
Single Detached Dwelling
- Lot width – 12.2 m / 40 ft
- Lot depth – 38.1 m / 125 ft
Split Level Single Detached Dwelling
- Lot width – 17.5 m / 57.5 ft
- Lot depth – 35 m / 115 ft
Semi-detached Dwelling
- Lot width – 10.4 m / 34 ft
- Lot depth – 34.1 m / 112 ft
Narrow Lot
- Lot width – 5.50 m / 18 ft
- Lot depth – 31.5 m / 104 ft
On Monday, March 25, 2024, Kitchener Council unanimously approved new Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments. These enable up to four dwelling units on residential lots in Kitchener. They are only allowed where zoning permits single detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwelling units. For more information, visit: About residential dwelling units