ARVO Backyard Homes designs, permits, and builds garden suites and coach houses across Markham. Fixed-price contracts. Permit service included. No hidden costs. Ready to move in within 14–26 weeks.
Markham currently permits up to 2 ARUs per residential lot (the City is actively working toward allowing 3 under Bill 23). Garden suites are permitted as ancillary residential uses in rear yards — no rezoning needed, just a building permit. Unlike Toronto's fixed 60 m² cap, Markham has no single hard GFA limit; buildable area is governed by lot coverage, setbacks, and zone-specific rules, making it one of the more flexible municipalities in the GTA.
No single fixed GFA cap — size is controlled by lot coverage (generally ≤ 45%), the ratio to the principal dwelling, and zone-specific provisions. Commonly approved sizes range from 500–1,000 sq ft (46–93 m²). Projects above ~1,000 sq ft may trigger a minor variance. Site plan control may apply for larger suites.
Standard height limit is approximately 4.0–4.5 m (single storey). With increased separation from the main dwelling, height can be relaxed to ~7.5 m, accommodating two-storey construction. Key logic: the farther the suite sits from the main house, the taller it can be. Must comply with Markham's Urban Design Guidelines — complementary materials, roof forms, and window proportions.
Permitted in detached, semi-detached, and townhouse dwelling zones. Minimum lot requirements: 15 m frontage and 465 m² (5,005 sq ft) area. Currently 2 ARUs permitted per lot; the City is working toward allowing 3 under Bill 23 alignment, which would mean up to 4 units total per property.
Rear: 1.2–2.4 m (varies by zone). Side: ~1.2 m from interior side lot lines. Separation from main house: 4–6 m (Ontario minimum 4 m, required for fire safety and daylighting). Corner lots: 4.5 m from street lines. Markham does not have a single uniform setback — actual values depend on zoning designation.
No additional parking required for garden suites. Two bicycle parking spaces must be provided. A clear 1.0 m wide emergency access path from street to suite entrance is required.
Markham's tree by-laws protect significant trees on private and public property. Arborist reports may be required where trees overlap the build area. Tree removal permits and replanting obligations apply.
ARVO 雅筑 提供全程中英双语服务，从可行性评估到 permit 申请再到施工交付。 万锦市正在更新城市规划法规，对接省级 Bill 23（More Homes Built Faster Act）， 允许每块住宅用地最多建造 3 个附加住宅单元（ARU）+ 1 个主住宅 = 共 4 个单元。 Garden Suite 在独立屋/半独立屋用地上属于 As-of-Right，不需要 rezoning，只需 Building Permit。 地块须满足最低 15 米临街面、465 平方米面积要求。 我们的报价包含 permit 代办服务（市政府 permit 费用由业主承担），没有隐藏收费。 欢迎微信或邮件咨询。
Every package is turnkey: architectural design, building permit, engineering, site prep, construction, utility hookup, and final inspection — all included.
From $165,900
From $249,900
From $239,700
Our fixed-price contracts include everything from design to occupancy. Here's a typical cost breakdown for a standard single-storey garden suite in Markham.
| Item | Description | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural Design | Custom or pre-approved plans, stamped drawings | ✅ Included |
| Engineering | Structural, mechanical, electrical design | ✅ Included |
| Building Permit | City of Markham application and fees | ⚠️ Paid by owner |
| Permit Service | Full permit application handling by ARVO | ✅ Included |
| Site Preparation | Excavation, grading, foundation | ✅ Included |
| Construction | Framing, roofing, insulation, exterior finishes | ✅ Included |
| Mechanical & Electrical | HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fixtures | ✅ Included |
| Interior Finishing | Flooring, kitchen, bathroom, painting | ✅ Included |
| Utility Connections | Water, sewer, electrical to city services | ✅ Included |
| Inspections | All required building inspections to occupancy | ✅ Included |
| Total | Turnkey, ready to move in | From $165,900 |
* Prices exclude HST. City of Markham building permit fees are paid directly by the owner. Site-specific conditions (extensive grading, long utility runs, tree protection) may affect final pricing. Arborist report quoted separately if required. Final price confirmed after free feasibility assessment.
Our streamlined process handles every step so you don't have to navigate City Hall, hire separate consultants, or coordinate trades.
We review your property address, zoning, lot dimensions, and rear yard conditions. You'll know within 48 hours if your property qualifies and get a preliminary budget range.
Choose a suite configuration. We prepare architectural plans, engineering scope, and a fixed-price proposal. No surprises — what you sign is what you pay.
We handle the full building permit application with the City of Markham, including architectural/structural/MEP drawings, surveys, grading plan (required by Markham), and tree protection reports. Suites over 75 m² also require site plan control approval. Typical permit review: 12–16 weeks; site plan adds 6–8 weeks.
Our in-house team builds your suite. Weekly progress updates. All trades coordinated under one general contractor. Build time: 4–8 months depending on configuration. Total project timeline from design to move-in: approximately 9–15 months.
Final building inspection, occupancy clearance, and walkthrough with you. Your suite is ready for family, tenants, or whatever you have planned.
Answers to the most common questions Markham homeowners ask about building a garden suite or coach house.
Most likely yes, if your property meets the minimum requirements. Garden suites are permitted in Markham's detached, semi-detached, and townhouse zones. Key requirements: lot frontage of at least 15 m, lot area of at least 465 m² (5,005 sq ft), sufficient rear yard space, and setback clearances. Markham currently allows up to 2 ARUs per lot and is working toward permitting 3 (aligning with Bill 23). Access can be from rear lanes, driveways, or 1.2 m wide pedestrian walkways. Our free feasibility check covers all of this.
A turnkey single-storey garden suite starts from $165,900 with permit service included (City permit fees paid by owner). Garden Suite + Basement configurations start from $249,900. Coach houses start from $239,700. Final cost depends on suite size, site conditions, utility connection distances, and finishing selections. Our fixed-price contracts mean no surprises after signing.
Garden suites qualifying as Additional Residential Units (ARUs) are currently exempt from Development Charges in Markham under Ontario provincial legislation. This saves you tens of thousands of dollars compared to typical new construction.
Yes. Basements are permitted for garden suites. Note that under By-law 849-2025, the basement area is included in the garden suite's interior floor area calculation. However, the primary dwelling's basement can be excluded from its GFA — which helps ensure your garden suite GFA stays below the main house. Our Garden Suite + Basement package starts from $249,900 and includes a single-storey suite with an unfinished basement, giving you 900–1,300 sq ft of total space.
Yes. Garden suites are self-contained dwelling units with their own kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. They can be rented as long-term rentals. In Markham's rental market, a well-designed garden suite can generate $2,000–$3,000+ per month in rental income depending on size, location, and finishes.
A complete building permit submission typically takes 12–16 weeks for City of Markham review. Markham requires a Grading Plan for garden suite projects. For suites exceeding 75 m², site plan control approval is also required, adding 6–8 weeks. If a minor variance is needed (uncommon with our designs), add 3–4 months for Committee of Adjustment. Total project timeline from design to move-in: approximately 9–15 months. ARVO's permit service handles the entire application process — City permit fees are paid directly by the owner.
If a family member occupies the garden suite as their primary residence (common in multi-generational households), you may qualify for the Ontario New Housing Rebate — up to approximately $16,080 in HST savings. This is a significant benefit for families building suites for parents or adult children. We can walk you through eligibility.
A garden suite is a standalone single-storey (or two-storey) dwelling in your backyard. A coach house places the living space on a second storey above a garage, combining parking with rental income or multi-generational living. Coach houses are ideal for homeowners who want covered parking while maximizing their lot. We'll help you determine which option suits your property during the feasibility check.
Send us your address. We'll check zoning, lot feasibility, and give you a preliminary budget — all free, no obligation.
Get Your Free Feasibility Check →