Building an extra housing unit now could save you money in the future. The City of Barrie is dangling a hefty carrot of 50 per cent off building permit application fees to homeowners who are considering building an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) on their property. As an additional enticement, Barrie is lumping in a full rebate of the building fees if your unit is occupied within a year of permit issuance. “Supporting the creation of additional residential units is one of the many tools we can use to increase housing options,” said Michelle Banfield, executive director of Development Services. “These units tend to be more affordable across existing neighbourhoods, and they also give property owners an opportunity to generate rental income or support family members. They are a practical way to increase housing supply as our city grows.” Examples of ARUs include basement apartments or in-law suites, a coach house or secondary dwelling, or an addition to an existing home to make space for a new dwelling unit. Barrie has also created examples of standardized ARU designs. Standardized designs streamline the review and permit process and could reduce costs for property owners, as Barrie’s plan fees are lower than custom drawings. Free previews of the designs are available on the city’s website, but property owners must contact the designer directly to purchase the full set of plans, including a site plan showing where the ARU will be built on their property. Owners are still responsible for meeting zoning requirements, and all aspects of permitting and construction, including associated fees. Both initiatives are part of the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan to encourage and incentivize additional residential units.
