Too many tenants, too many safety risks — that’s how some Milton councillors view the impact of additional residential units (ARU) since local rules changed last year. A new registry aims to bring order to the chaos and address safety concerns.
ARUs are secondary living spaces within a property, equipped with a kitchen, sleeping area and a bathroom — also commonly known as basement units, granny flats and garden suits.
Starting today (Apr. 1), property owners must register new or existing ARUs for a one-time fee of $340 per unit.
The new regulations will establish an ARU registry and improve property and building numbering. This program will allow Milton Fire and other emergency services to have accurate information about the units in order to improve response times in case of an emergency.
“The adoption of the ARU registry and clear property numbering will ensure critical emergency responses available for fire rescue services and also the safety for area occupants and overall compliance with municipal regulations,” said Milton Fire Chief Peter Gatto at a recent council meeting.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s three lines of defense: public education and prevention, fire safety standards and enforcement and emergency response.
He said bylaw officers and fire prevention officers will visit residences and provide safety messages to owners. They will also ensure that both the building code and fire code are enforced, with key safety features like interconnected smoke alarms, fire-rated doors and sprinkler-protected heating areas.
At the meeting, Coun. Sameera Ali pointed out the broader issue of ARU misuse.
“A lot of us on council get complaints about people misusing the ARU permitting process to have three kitchens, 12 rooms and 20 cars parked outside,” she said. “It has become a huge problem in Milton, so I hope that this bylaw update curbs that too.”
For more details on building permits and requirements for ARUs, homeowners can reach out to the Town’s building division.