Unlocking Speed and Savings: Toronto’s Push to Simplify the Development Process

As Toronto continues to grow at record pace, the city is making moves to help builders, homeowners, and investors keep up. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 850,000 new homes were proposed—Toronto’s largest development pipeline in history. But turning proposals into homes has often meant facing long wait times and expensive red tape.

Now, the City of Toronto is taking steps to change that. On July 4, officials announced three major initiatives aimed at simplifying and speeding up the building permit process—saving both time and money for those looking to build.

Here’s what’s changing, and how it might impact your next project.

1. Free Pre-Approved Building Plans for Laneway and Garden Suites

The design stage can be one of the most expensive—and uncertain—parts of a small-scale development. To address that, the City is now offering publicly accessible, standardized building plans for garden and laneway suites. These plans are:

• Prepared by the City of Toronto

• Fully compliant with the Ontario Building Code

• Available at no cost to the public

By using these pre-approved templates, homeowners and builders can cut down on design costs, reduce back-and-forth with engineers, and speed up their applications. It also provides a clearer starting point for those unsure how to design within zoning rules.

Keep in mind: You’ll still need to submit a formal building permit application and pass a site-specific zoning review. But with these plans, the path to approval just got a lot smoother.

2. Online Permit Applications Now Live for More Projects

Getting a building permit in Toronto used to mean stacks of paperwork and in-person visits. That’s changing. The City has expanded its online building permit services to include:

• New houses

• Secondary suites

• Multiplex conversions

• Laneway and garden suites

Applicants can now submit their materials online, where document checks are automated and submissions are reviewed sooner by staff. This digitized process reduces manual delays and makes it easier to track your application in real time.

It’s not just convenient—it’s also a key step in speeding up the development pipeline.

3. Faster Approvals with the Engineer’s Seal Program

Launched as a pilot in 2024, Toronto’s Reliance on Professional Engineer’s Seal program is expanding. Starting July 14, licensed engineers can now take responsibility for a broader set of building drawings, including:

• Garden and laneway suites

• Mechanical systems

• Enhanced fire protection

• 
  

By allowing certified professionals to assume responsibility for Building Code compliance, the City is able to streamline approvals and reduce permit processing times. In fact, early results from the pilot showed a 28-day reduction—nearly a full month—from permit application to occupancy.

Visual Tools to Help Picture What’s Possible

To help homeowners and builders imagine what this new wave of housing could look like, the City has released Demonstration Plans. These visual guides show how missing middle housing—like multiplexes, laneway homes, and garden suites—can fit seamlessly into existing neighbourhoods.

The goal? To boost comfort with incremental density while making it easier to act on it.

Why This Matters for Builders and Homeowners

With these three initiatives—free design plans, online applications, and expanded engineer certification—Toronto is clearing some of the biggest hurdles that have slowed down housing projects.

Whether you're a homeowner planning to add a suite, an investor looking at infill options, or a builder navigating the permit process, these changes mean:

• Lower upfront costs

• Faster turnaround times

• Fewer surprises during review

In a city where demand continues to outpace supply, every week saved matters.

Planning a Build in Toronto?

From permitting delays to design expenses, navigating Toronto’s housing approval system has historically been complex. But with these changes, the process is becoming more predictable, efficient, and accessible—especially for small-scale residential projects.

Thinking about adding a laneway suite or secondary unit? Now might be the right time to explore what’s possible—before demand for pre-approved plans and expedited approvals starts to surge.

For step-by-step guides and downloadable design templates, visit the City of Toronto’s Pre-Approved Plans webpage.