The City of St. Catharines is making it easier for homeowners to create additional residential units on their property with pre-approved detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designs. The Pre-Approved Detached ADU Design Program is part of the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund program to support missing middle housing options and introduce more units in the city faster. More information about the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund can be found here.
Pre-approved detached ADU designs simplify the process for homeowners by:
- Reducing design costs and timelines.
- Streamlining building permit approvals.
- Providing high-quality, code-compliant designs.
Pre-Approved Designs
OCI Large Model
The 80 metre square ADU includes a second bedroom option, with a large open space living, dining and kitchen. It also includes a full bath and a half bath for convenience. It is ideal for couples and/or small families. This option has a conventional sloped-roof design with enough space for adding future solar panels. This design has a nine-foot ceiling height with lots of natural light and an additional covered front porch to provide shade and privacy to residents. This ADU does not use natural gas, it utilizes an air-sourced electric heat pump for heating and cooling.
Size: 80 square metres
OCI Small Model
This 50 metre square modern one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit (ADU) offers a compact yet highly functional living space with an open-concept layout. It features one full bathroom and a half-bath, making it ideal for single residents or couples. The ADU’s 10-foot ceiling height creates a spacious feel, while large windows bring in abundant natural light, enhancing the interior’s brightness. To maintain privacy, only one window is positioned on the sidewalls, which face the main dwelling, ensuring seclusion for both units. The flat roof design not only adds to the contemporary aesthetic but also provides an opportunity for a green roof, allowing for eco-friendly plantings. The ADU is designed to be entirely fossil-fuel-free, using a baseboard air forced heating system that efficiently provides warmth without relying on natural gas or oil. Sustainable, easy-to-install exterior finishes complement the environmentally conscious design, ensuring low maintenance.
Size: 50 square metres
