Media Release
Town of Huntsville Launches a Pre-Approved Building Design Program for Secondary Residential Dwelling Units
(Huntsville, ON) – The Town of Huntsville is excited to announce the launch of its new Secondary Residential Dwelling Units (SRDU) program offering property owners a simple way to add dwelling units to their residential land. The program includes six comprehensive, pre-approved building design packages.
Secondary Residential Dwelling Units are independent living spaces that include their own kitchen and bathroom. They can be located within the main home or in a detached structure on the same property and are typically found on lots with a single-detached, semi-detached, or townhouse dwelling.
The pre-approved packages offer a variety of design options, unit sizes and floorplans (ranging in size from 250 to 600 square feet for a single-story unit and 800 square feet for an above-the- garage-unit) and a range of package fees.
“We are excited to launch this initiative and the benefits it offers to those interested in building these types of dwellings on their residential property, whether for personal use or as rental units,” says Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock. “The SRDU program provides a streamlined process for constructing a variety of pre-approved secondary units and will be an important tool in increasing housing supply and affordable housing options in Huntsville. It is an opportunity for the Town and property owners and to collaborate in finding solutions.”
Building a SRDU offers the homeowner and community many important benefits:
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Simplified process - The SRDU program offers a pre-approved solution that minimizes the effort and red tape in a building project - just choose a design and begin the building process.
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Supports a variety of housing needs - It creates more diversity in Huntsville's housing supply, which helps retain essential workers and supports multigenerational living and aging in place.
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Improving efficiencies - With standardized design and documentation, the program leads to greater efficiency throughout the planning and building process.
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Sustainable housing - Compact homes are more efficient to build and heat, aligning with the Town's collective goal to minimize our impact on the environment.
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Financial benefits - SRDUs often improve property value and have income-generating potential through rental income.
What is included in the design package?
The pre-approved designs provide a full set of working construction drawings that include:
- Architectural Plans
- HVAC Design
- Electrical and Plumbing Design
- Structural Design and Construction Details
Since every building project is different and requires various infrastructure and construction needs (Precinct (zoning), septic, etc.), we’ve provided a list of what is included or excluded in the design packages on the Town of Huntsville website.
Anyone interested in learning more, reviewing the designs, and seeing if the program is a
fit for their property is encouraged to connect with building and planning staff at SRDU@huntsville.ca or visit Huntsville.ca/srdu.
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Media Inquiries:
Communications, Town of Huntsville
communications@huntsville.ca
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