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Ready-to-Build Housing Designs

The Town of Saugeen Shores, in collaboration with Invizij Architects and Tim Welch Consulting, has launched the Ready-to-Build Housing Design Initiative—a set of pre-reviewed designs for Additional Residential Units (ARUs) and low-rise housing (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes).

Learn more about the Town's Ready-to-Build Housing Design Initiative below.

Ready-to-Build Housing Designs - Made in Saugeen Shores

The Ready-to-Build Housing Designs Initiative provides final renderings, floor plans, and essential building specifications for residential properties in Saugeen Shores. This initiative gives homeowners, builders, and the Town a valuable head start by streamlining the planning review process and reducing design and engineering costs.

The initiative offers a collection of seven pre-reviewed housing designs—four ARUs and three low-rise options—that align with Saugeen Shores' small-town character and comply with the Ontario Building Code and local zoning regulations. These ready-to-build plans streamline approvals, reduce delays, and provide flexible, value-adding housing options.

Low-rise housing is refers to residential buildings that typically have one to four stories. These types of buildings  are designed to maintain a more human-scale, less dense environment compared to mid-rise or high-rise buildings. In the case of this program, low-rise housing is considered a duplex, triplex and fourplex.

Ready-to-Build Housing Designs

The Saugeen Shores Ready-to-Build Housing Designs offer a town-compatible development that is easy to build, while increasing housing flexibility and value to your property.  Unlock the potential of your property—discover what you can build with our ready-to-build plans.

 View the Ready-to-Build Housing Designs Catalog

Request the Town's Ready-to-Build Plans

Benefits to Building an ARU or Low-rise Housing

ARUs and missing middle housing provide versatile living options—accommodating everyone from multigenerational families to downsizers and renters—offering greater choice for residents at every stage of life.

Homeowners can earn rental income, helping with mortgages or retirement savings, while also increasing overall property value.

ARUs and smaller-scale housing provide more affordable options for first-time buyers, young families, and essential workers—supporting housing access for all.

Properties with ARUs or additional units often have a higher market value, thanks to their income-generating potential and broader appeal to buyers and investors.

Compact homes reduce land use, energy consumption, and urban sprawl—supporting Saugeen Shores’ commitment to environmental stewardship.

More diverse housing helps retain essential workers, supports local businesses, and encourages a vibrant, year-round community.

Did you know?

  • In recent years, 60 ARUs have been approved and built in Saugeen Shores. There is a big opportunity to add more housing in our community through ARUs!

  • In late 2024, Council approved Zoning changes that allow up to four units on residential lots as a first step toward encouraging more low-rise housing.

  • The Ready-to-Build Housing Design Initiative conducted a mapping analysis which revealed that approximately 75% of properties can support a one- or two-storey ARU and up to 60% can support fourplexes within existing zoning limits.

Development Approval Process

Follow the six simple steps listed below to begin building your new unit.  For questions or guidance, contact us at building@saugeenshores.ca.

 1. Confirm Zoning

Email building@saugeenshores.ca to confirm your property permits your desired housing type or visit the Bruce County GIS map.

 2. Choose a Pre-Reviewed Design

Pick a pre-reviewed design to fast-track your process.

 3. Prepare Your Application

Building permit applications are accepted electronically through Cloudpermit.

4. Submit Required Plans

The pre-reviewed designs provide a full set of working construction drawings that include:

  • Floor plans and elevation plans 
  • Energy efficiency summary

A Site Plan is not included as part of the pre-reviewed design package, as each property is unique. 

Any modifications to a pre-reviewed plan must involve a certified BCIN designer or engineer directly to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the Town’s Zoning by-laws. This may require the submission of new floor plans, elevation plans, energy efficiency summary, and site plan.

In some instances, additional plans may be required. Contact building@saugeenshores.ca to confirm required plans.

5. Pay Fees

Once reviewed, pay applicable fees.

Please email building@saugeenshores.ca to confirm fees.

6. Download Building Permit and Schedule Inspections

 Once a building permit is issued, you can download a copy of your building permit with the approved plans. You are now ready to start construction. Don't forget to book your inspections through Cloudpermit.

Thinking of Building in Saugeen Shores?

Check out our list of certified designers who can help you create or complete the plans for your very home.

Contact:

Phone: (807)707-4772                                Email: info@flexcellengineering.com 

Fees:

Stamping Fee: $500                                    Hourly Rate: $125

Contact:
Phone: (519)389-9225                                 Email: dan@murawskydesign.com

Fees:

Stamping Fee: $250- ARU Design                  Hourly Rate: $75

                          $250/unit- Multi-Unit Design

Contact:

Phone: 1+(289)685-2430                             Email: info@pdco-inc.com

Fees:

Stamping Fee: $95/hour                               Hourly Rate: $95/hour

Contact:

Phone: (905)544-5581                                  Email: jen.vdhb@gmail.com

Fees:

Stamping Fee: $150                                      Hourly Rate: $60

Contact:
Phone: (437)263-6336                                   Email: Tiletastic.ca@gmail.com

Fees:

Stamping Fee: $700- ARU Design                    Hourly Rate: $98

                           $900- Multi-Unit Design

For all other pricing inquiries or questions, please contact the designer directly to confirm any additional fees not listed above.

If you are interested in becoming a recognized qualified designer for the Town through the Ready-to-Build Housing Designs Initiative, please contact us directly or monitor our Bids and Tenders page for the annual Request for Information posting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Several groups may be interested in building Additional Residential Units (ARUs). Homeowners often use ARUs to increase property values and create additional income through rental opportunities or to provide independent living space for family members, such as ageing parents or adult children. For many, ARUs offer a practical solution to multigenerational living while maintaining privacy and independence.

The Town also supports ARU developments as a tool to increase affordable housing options and make better use of existing residential land and infrastructure. Overall, ARUs appeal to those looking for flexible housing solutions that meet both personal and community needs.

The Town allows ARUs on legally conforming lots in any zone where the main building is a single-detached house, semi-detached house, duplex, triplex or street townhouse.

The Town now allows up to four (4) residential units per lot, subject to zoning provisions. For example, a maximum of three (3) ARUs would be permitted for a single-detached house and only one (1) ARU for a triplex.

An ARU within the main house can be located anywhere within the house, as long as it is self-contained with its own kitchen and bathroom facilities. For ARUs built as addition or an accessory structure, where they can be situated depends on the zone of your property, the size and shape of your property, and the location of any openings such as windows and doors. Properties with ARUs in the principal building have the same requirements on minimum lot area, lot frontage, lot coverage, and setbacks as per their respective zones. Properties with ARUs as detached structures have the same requirements except for the rear yard setback. Detached ARUs have a minimum rear yard setback of three (3) metres.

Yes, a building permit is a requirement in order to construct an ARU or any low-rise housing in Saugeen Shores. The permit ensures the construction is compliant with the Ontario Building Code and Towns Zoning By-law.

The cost of an ARU varies widely due to specific conditions and features on a lot. Ease of construction access, location of services (water, sewer, etc.), specific design features and material choices all impact the cost.

A temporary ARU is often referred to as a Garden Suite and is governed via a temporary use by-law. An existing Garden Suite may be converted into a permanent ARU, please consider the potential costs and verify the requirements with our building staff. Mobile homes and recreational trailers are not permitted as ARUs but are encouraged to locate within Mobile Home Parks (MHP) zones.

Different properties and building types may have different submission requirements and fees. At a minimum, you will need to apply for a Building Permit to establish your use, which will include a site plan drawing and a floor plan drawing.

Yes, your property taxes will increase. Property taxes depend on the assessed value of the property, which is calculated by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) from the location, age of buildings, gross floor area, quality of construction, etc. MPAC conducts a reassessment every four (4) years, where any alteration to the property can affect the assessment value. A Building Permit application will also trigger an automatic reassessment from MPAC. The increase will depend on the change in the number of secondary structures, number of bathrooms, any materials used in the renovation, etc.
You can contact MPAC at the following telephone number 1 (866) 296-6722.

Pre-reviewed designs refer to building plans that have been thoughtfully developed in alignment with the Town’s zoning by-law and the typical size and layout of residential lots in Saugeen Shores. These designs have already been reviewed for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, helping to reduce the need for custom design work and associated engineering costs. As the designs are developed in advance to meet regulatory requirements, they can significantly shorten the development approvals process. This helps streamline your proposal, minimizes delays, and supports a more efficient path from planning to construction.

The Town now allows up to four (4) residential units per residential lot subject to zoning provisions. However, you should refer to the Town’s Zoning By-law or contact building@saugeenshores.ca with your property address to confirm permitted uses for your lot and additional provisions.

It is possible to customize these pre-reviewed designs, however, any modifications to these plans must be dealt with the designer directly to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the Towns Zoning by-laws.

 Resources

To learn more about other ongoing housing initiatives visit our Housing Initiatives project page.

Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140