Building a garden suite in Mississauga just got easier with the launch of new materials list

A garden suite is a small, detached unit that can be built in many backyards, city-wide. They include cooking, living, sleeping and washroom facilities. Garden suites are a good option for homeowners who want to downsize, need a separate space for family members or who want a rental unit for extra income.

Build faster with the ready-to-use materials list

The online materials list outlines everything needed to build a garden suite, including construction materials, quantities, specifications (like grade and type), and units of measurement. It’s organized by construction phase, such as foundation, framing, and plumbing, so it’s easy to follow.

The list also highlights which elements are customizable under the City’s pre-approved plans, like doors and flooring and which are fixed. A cost sample is available to help with budget planning, although prices and availability can vary widely depending on site servicing costs and design finishes. The list is downloadable from the “Cost your project” section on the City’s garden suites webpage.

Pre-approved plans and a materials list give homeowners and builders greater confidence when planning garden suite construction timelines. They also help reduce delays by enabling residents to work directly with a licensed builder and skip the design phase.

Gently adding density to Mississauga’s neighbourhoods

Garden suites are a part of the City’s ongoing efforts to make housing more accessible and affordable by encouraging gentle density. Gentle density includes adding more housing choices in existing neighbourhoods and helping to create complete communities where infrastructure is already in place.

Garden suites are a great way to add more housing choices for families, young adults, and seniors, whether to accommodate for extended family or rental income. The City has a Gentle Density Incentive Program that offsets fees to make building these types of homes more affordable.

Learn more and access the plans and material lists on the pre-approved garden suites webpage.

Background

The City is working to increase housing choices in Mississauga neighbourhoods. In late 2023, the City updated its Official Plan and zoning rules to make it easier for homeowners to build up to two additional residential units (ARUs) in addition to the primary home or a fourplex. This includes garden suites, which are small homes that can be built in backyards across the City. In 2024, the City launched free, pre-approved plans for studio or one bedroom garden suites, making it easier and more cost effective for residents.

For more information on how the City is taking action to address the housing crisis, read the 2025 Mayor’s Housing Task Force Report.