Thank you for being willing to learn more about Stratford’s housing shortages and looking for opportunities to get involved and support attainable housing in our community.
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This is the first step to becoming part of the solution.

Create a Housing Unit

So, you want to create a new housing unit?
Thank you for your interest. We need more residents like you.
There are many ways you can improve your property while also improving the state of housing in Stratford. Read on to learn more about how you can get involved.

Stratford requires a greater range of housing types to support the community's needs.

The limits of available land pose a unique challenge and require creative solutions to meaningfully address housing issues and yield the most significant impact on our community.

A range of options is available to add housing units in Stratford, including adding an accessory suite to your current home or property, repurposing existing structures, or developing and/or redeveloping land to add more housing units.

Consider the options below and please contact City staff at 519-271-0250 ext. 5345 and ask for the Planning Department. We would be happy to discuss any questions you may have.

Add an accessory suite

The City of Stratford permits up to two (2) accessory suites on a property containing a single detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling or townhouse dwelling.

An accessory suite is a separate residential unit with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, living quarters, and sleeping areas. The suite may be rented out or used by relatives of the owner.

Please click the link below for more information on accessory suites, including a checklist on where they are permitted, and the building permit approvals process.

Contact the City of Stratford Planning Department and Building Department for more information at 519-271-0250 ext. 5345.

Redevelop my property

In addition to an accessory suite, there are opportunities in the City to redevelop and/or intensify properties to create additional housing.

Please review and refer to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to confirm what is currently permitted on your property: https://www.stratford.ca/en/inside-city-hall/planning.aspx.

If you require changes to your property's permissions, please contact the City of Stratford Planning Department to discuss at 519-271-0250 ext. 5345 or email at planning@stratford.ca.

Below are the types of applications that may be required to redevelop. Click each link to learn more:

Official Plan Amendment.
Zoning By-law Amendment.
Draft Plan of Subdivision or Condominium
Consent Application.
Minor Variance Application.
Site Plan Approval
Building Permits.

You should prepare a sketch to demonstrate the proposed development on your property and submit a Formal Consultation Request using this link.

Where possible, seek the assistance of technical experts to navigate the process. This could include a land use planner, engineers and/or building designer/architect, and a qualified builder.

Review Official Plan and Zoning for understanding of current permissions
Consult with City Staff
Prepare Sketch of proposal
Apply for Formal Consultation
Assemble project team
Prepare required studies and reports
Submit Planning Application
Application Review by City and Agencies
Public Consultation
City Staff Recommendation to Council/Committee of Adjustment
Hearing at Council/Committee of Adjustment
Decision
If ten or fewer housing units located greater than 120 metres from a shoreline or 300 metres from a railway line, proceed to Building Permit Application
If more than ten units, proceed to Site Plan Approval
Construction
Occupancy

Financial Resources

Development Charge Credits

The City collects Development Charges for any new housing unit in the City. There is a set fee for each unit.

Through Provincial Bill 23, Development Charges (https://www.stratford.ca/en/inside-city-hall/resources/InfrastructureDevelopmentServices/Planning/Planning_Services/2023-Development-Charges-Brochure.pdf) are to be reduced for affordable (rental and ownership) and attainable ownership units.

For affordable rental units, an agreement is required to maintain an affordable unit for a minimum period of 25 years.

Development Charges Act 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 27 - 4.1 (1) In this section:

(click to expand)

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Affordable residential unit, rented

(2) A residential unit intended for use as a rented residential premises shall be considered to be an affordable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:

The rent is no greater than 80 per cent of the average market rent, as determined in accordance with subsection (5).
The tenant is dealing at arm’s length with the landlord. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3

Affordable residential unit, ownership

(3) A residential unit not intended for use as a rented residential premises shall be considered to be an affordable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:

The price of the residential unit is no greater than 80 per cent of the average purchase price, as determined in accordance with subsection (6).
The residential unit is sold to a person who is dealing at arm’s length with the seller. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3

Attainable residential unit

(4) A residential unit shall be considered to be an attainable residential unit if it meets the following criteria:

The residential unit is not an affordable residential unit.
The residential unit is not intended for use as a rented residential premises.
The residential unit was developed as part of a prescribed development or class of developments.
The residential unit is sold to a person who is dealing at arm’s length with the seller.
Such other criteria as may be prescribed. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

Average market rent

(5) For the purposes of paragraph 1 of subsection (2), the average market rent applicable to a residential unit is the average market rent for the year in which the residential unit is occupied by a tenant, as identified in the bulletin entitled the “Affordable Residential Units for the Purposes of the Development Charges Act, 1997 Bulletin”, as it is amended from time to time, that is published by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on a website of the Government of Ontario. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

Average purchase price

(6) For the purposes of paragraph 1 of subsection (3), the average purchase price applicable to a residential unit is the average purchase price for the year in which the residential unit is sold, as identified in the bulletin entitled the “Affordable Residential Units for the Purposes of the Development Charges Act, 1997 Bulletin”, as it is amended from time to time, that is published by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on a website of the Government of Ontario. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

Arm’s length

(7) For the purposes of this section, in the determination of whether two or more persons are dealing at arm’s length, section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) applies with necessary modifications. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

Affordable residential unit, exemption from development charges

(8) The creation of a residential unit that is intended to be an affordable residential unit for a period of 25 years or more from the time that the unit is first rented or sold is exempt from development charges. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

(9) A person who, but for subsection (8), would be required to pay a development charge and the local municipality shall enter into an agreement that requires the residential unit to which subsection (8) applies to be an affordable residential unit for a period of 25 years. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

(10) The creation of a residential unit that is intended to be an attainable residential unit when the unit is first sold is exempt from development charges. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

(11) A person who, but for subsection (10), would be required to pay a development charge and the local municipality shall enter into an agreement that requires the residential unit to which subsection (10) applies to be an attainable residential unit at the time it is sold. 2022, c. 21, Sched. 3, s. 3.

CHMC | The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation has a website dedicated to supporting the creation of new housing units:

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https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/industry-innovation-and-leadership/industry-expertise/affordable-housing/develop-affordable-housing

Where affordable housing is being considered, CHMC funding may be available to support the project.

Additional Resources (Rental Units)

In Ontario, rules are in place to protect both landlords and tenants. Use the link below to find valuable resources:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-ontario-your-rights

The ‘Let’s Be Neighbours’ campaign is an initiative designed to inform, engage, inspire, and enable community action to address local attainable housing needs. The campaign is part of a larger effort supported/championed/initiated by the City of Stratford and investStratford with funding through the Provincial Rural Economic Development (RED) Fund.

Ready to join the community?

Learn more about the Stratford Advantage. Make us your first point of contact.