Kitchener residents riled up over size of backyard build

How big is too big when it comes to backyard dwellings? CTV’s Jeff Pickel has one project that’s pushing the limits of what Kitchener Bylaw allows.

Residents are voicing their concerns about an additional dwelling unit being built in a Kitchener backyard.

“It’s a 1,600-square-foot home,” explained David Weber, who lives next door to the property on Doon South Drive. “From what I understand, that’s 800 [square feet] on the main floor and 800 [square feet] in the basement.”

Kitchener’s housing density bylaw allows these builds on any residential property.

Weber said his issue is with the size of the building and, in particular, the height.

“You’ve got bedrooms at the back, on the left and the right side of the unit, so the window will overlook where we’re sitting,” Weber explained.

The situation is worse for the neighbours on the other side of the property.

“There’s another [window] on the other side that is raised high enough that it looks over the six-foot fence on that side, right into the backyard of that neighbor,” Weber said. “I can’t imagine that would be an appealing situation.”

According to the City of Kitchener, the backyard home is within the parameters set out in the bylaw.

“In this specific case it’s 75.2-metres-square in footprint size, so they’re less than the maximum 80-metres-square,” explained Mike Seiling, the city’s director of building. “The maximum height of the building is 4.5 metres, so they built it right to the max. They’re meeting the zoning bylaw.”

Currently, the main home is being used as a rental property. Neighbours told CTV News that multiple bylaw infractions for parking violations have been issued to the renters. They question why the city would issue a permit with its history.

“The building code sets out clear requirements that the chief building official shall issue a building permit when A, B and C are met, and when the construction documents meet or exceed the building code requirements, fees are paid and the zoning requirements are met, a building permit must be issued,” Seiling said.

‘Against the spirit’ of the bylaw

Christine Michaud, Kitchener’s Ward 4 councillor, met with residents who were upset with the approval of the additional dwelling unit.

“For this particular one? Yes, I’ll be honest, yes, I do think it is against the spirit [of the bylaw]. It’s still absolutely legal, and it’s what we agreed to,” she told CTV News.

According to Michaud, the unit on Doon South Drive is bigger than she envisioned when council initially passed the bylaw in 2024.

“My interpretation and hope for the additional dwelling units is typically what you see in nice, little, tiny homes, or something that your mother-in-law or father-in-law might move into,” she explained.

She still supports this version of gentle urban density, but feels some friction is bound to arise in neighbourhoods.

“In March of 2023, the City of Kitchener made a municipal housing pledge to build an additional 35,000 homes by 2031and a component of this is the additional dwelling units.”

Seiling said city staff is reviewing the bylaw and a proposal to reduce the overall size of additional dwelling units, from 80-square-metres to 75-square-metres.

Council could receive that report early in 2026.