Garden Suite Scarborough

Professional Garden Suite in Scarborough

Last updated: March 12, 2026

Scarborough homeowners can build garden suites under Toronto's Zoning By-law 569-2013, with a maximum footprint of 60 square metres and height limits based on rear setback distance. Konstruction Group provides the framing, insulation, and drywall for garden suite construction across Highland Creek, Guildwood, Agincourt, and Birch Cliff — handling the structural trades from framing through paint-ready walls.

Scarborough Garden Suite Regulations

Scarborough follows Toronto's city-wide garden suite provisions under Zoning By-law 569-2013, legalized in February 2022. Under these rules, the maximum garden suite footprint is 60 square metres (approximately 645 square feet). The permitted height depends on the distance from the rear lot line — units closer to the lot line have a lower maximum height. Garden suites must include a separate entrance and meet all Ontario Building Code requirements for a self-contained dwelling. A building permit is required through the City of Toronto's permitting process. Scarborough has many large lots — especially in Highland Creek, Guildwood, and Agincourt — that are well-suited for garden suites given the setback and coverage requirements.

Our Scarborough Garden Suite Services

• Complete Wood Framing – Floor decks, wall frames, and roof assemblies constructed to Toronto's 60 sq m maximum, optimized for the wide, deep lots found throughout Highland Creek, Guildwood, and Agincourt
• Steel Beam & Column Installation – Structural steel sized to your engineer's specifications, enabling open layouts that make the most of Scarborough's 60 sq m footprint cap under Toronto's by-law
• Spray Foam Insulation – Closed-cell or open-cell foam providing continuous air barrier and thermal resistance — particularly valuable in Scarborough garden suites exposed to Lake Ontario wind patterns on south-facing lots
• Batt & Blown-In Insulation – Standard fiberglass batt in partition walls and blown-in cellulose for ceiling cavities where your Scarborough permit drawings do not call for spray foam
• Drywall Installation & Finishing – Complete drywall installation with three-coat taping and Level 4 sanding, including fire-rated assemblies between the garden suite and any existing garage or shed on the Scarborough lot

Why Scarborough Has Strong Garden Suite Potential

Scarborough stands out among Toronto's former boroughs for garden suite potential because of its lot sizes. Unlike the narrow lots common in downtown Toronto, many Scarborough properties — particularly in Highland Creek, Guildwood, West Hill, and Rouge — sit on wide, deep lots that comfortably accommodate a 60-square-metre garden suite within the required setbacks. Scarborough's diverse and growing population creates consistent rental demand, and the area's transit connections including the Scarborough RT replacement (Line 2 extension) and multiple GO Transit routes make garden suites attractive to commuters. For homeowners, a garden suite in Scarborough offers rental income while increasing overall property value.

Rental Income Potential in Scarborough

A one-bedroom garden suite in Scarborough rents for approximately $1,900 to $2,300 per month based on 2025 CMHC and rentals.ca data for the City of Toronto. That translates to $22,800-$27,600 in annual gross rental income. With construction costs of $225,000-$400,000, a Scarborough garden suite delivers a gross rental yield of roughly 7-9% at midpoint costs. Scarborough's lower land costs relative to downtown Toronto mean the construction-cost-to-rent ratio is more favourable, and strong rental demand from the area's growing population supports consistent occupancy.

Navigating Toronto's Height-to-Setback Rules in Scarborough

Toronto's garden suite by-law uses a sliding scale for height based on how far the unit is from the rear lot line. If your garden suite is placed closer to the rear property boundary, the maximum height is reduced. This means lot depth directly affects your design options — and Scarborough's typically deeper lots give homeowners more flexibility. A unit placed further from the rear lot line can be taller, potentially allowing a loft or steeper roof pitch. We work with your architect to ensure the framing plan maximizes usable interior space within the height envelope permitted by your specific lot layout.

Why Choose Konstruction Group

• GTA-Wide Garden Suite Experience – We have framed garden suites across Toronto's former boroughs and know how to work within the city's 60 sq m cap and height-to-setback sliding scale that affects Scarborough builds
• Three Trades, One Contract – A single scope covering framing, insulation, and drywall means your Scarborough garden suite avoids idle weeks waiting for separate trade contractors to become available
• $10M Liability Insurance – Full commercial liability coverage on every Scarborough site, protecting your home and neighbouring properties in Highland Creek and Guildwood during the build
• WSIB Compliant – Every worker on your Scarborough garden suite carries WSIB coverage, ensuring you face no personal liability for workplace incidents
• 1-Year Warranty – All framing, insulation, and drywall installed on your Scarborough property is guaranteed under a written twelve-month workmanship warranty