Near Permit-Ready ADU Designs

Build a Backyard Home with Confidence

The City of Belleville is making it easier for homeowners to add a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on their property.

Detached ADUs, sometimes called garden suites or laneway-style homes, create more housing choice, support gentle neighbourhood growth, and offer flexible options for family members, rental income, or aging in place. While interest in ADUs is growing, many homeowners are unsure where to start due to design, zoning, and permitting complexity.

To simplify the process, the City has created a free, publicly available library of high-quality, near permit-ready detached ADU designs. These designs will be developed by local designers and builders, intended to help you move from idea to building permit faster and with greater certainty.

What’s Included in the ADU Design Library

The City’s ADU Design Library will feature:

• Near permit-ready detached ADU designs of up to 100 m²
• Complete architectural drawing sets suitable for a building permit application
• Designs that align with the Ontario Building Code and City of Belleville zoning requirements
• Flexible layouts that allow for personalization of materials, finishes, and aesthetics

To broaden the range of options, the City is also showcasing two professionally developed detached ADU designs provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). These designs complement the local submissions and demonstrate additional approaches to compact, efficient, and well-designed backyard housing.

Predictable Costs, Local Expertise

Each base ADU design will be available for $1,000, providing homeowners with a clear and predictable starting point. If your property requires site-specific adjustments you will work directly with the designer or architect to finalize the plans at their standard professional rates.

Supporting Resources

To help you plan with confidence, the City has created Zoning Guide for Detached ADUs explaining detached ADU zoning requirements.

City Staff are also available to help confirm applicable zoning conditions and to explain the overall approval and permitting process. For assistance, residents may contact the Approvals Division by phone at 613-967-3288 or by email at planning@belleville.ca, and staff will direct inquiries to the appropriate department as needed.

A Qualified Professional Still Guides the Final Step

While the designs will be near permit-ready, a licensed professional (such as a BCIN-qualified designer or architect) is required to finalize drawings for your specific property. This may include:

• Designing foundations or basements appropriate to site conditions
• Preparing a plot plan showing building placement, access, and parking
• Preparing site servicing drawings
• Confirming heat-loss and energy performance calculations
• Incorporating accessibility or enhanced energy-efficiency features

Building More Housing, Together

The City of Belleville will continue to maintain and promote this Near Permit-Ready ADU Design Library as a long-term resource for residents. By combining ready-to-use designs, clear pricing, and access to local expertise, this initiative helps make detached ADUs more achievable, affordable and approachable.