Housing Design Catalogue

The Housing Design Catalogue offers free, standardized home designs from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Learn about designs that we have pre-reviewed for use.

How the catalogue works

Architects and engineers have developed these designs to align with regional building codes, planning rules, climate zones, construction methods, materials, and architectural styles. 

There are 7 sets of Ontario designs, including accessory dwelling units, fourplexes, a six plex, and stacked townhouses. 

The designs are generally code compliant. You may still need minor changes to fit your lot and site conditions before you apply for a building permit. 

 

Start with a pre-reviewed design

While you’re free to choose any of the designs available in the Housing Design Catalogue we have “pre-reviewed” 4 specific designs that are most compatible across the Town.  

NOTE: These designs are not pre-approved, but using the pre-reviewed designs can help speed up the permit approval process. The following are still required: 

  • A site grading plan prepared, signed, and sealed by an Ontario Land Surveyor, Landscape Architect, or Professional Engineer 

  • A septic system design completed by a qualified designer, including the location of the septic tank and bed, as well as supporting calculations (if applicable) 

  • A complete HVAC design layout with accompanying duct sizing calculations 

  • An energy efficiency design that complies with the requirements of the Ontario Building Code 

  • Detailed rough-in design for soil gas (radon) mitigation measures 

 

Pre-reviewed designs 

  • Fourplex 01 - A three-storey building with four units, with units varying from 1 to 3 bedrooms 

  • Fourplex 02 - A two-storey building with four units, with units varying from 1 to 3 bedrooms 

Zoning still applies 

Not all housing types are permitted on every lot. Zoning regulations still apply, including setbacks, maximum building area, parking requirements, and driveway width. Check out your existing zoning here, or email us at planning@caledon.ca.  

Design details may vary

The final appearance of your home will vary based on the finishes you choose, such as cladding, roofing, and interior materials. CMHC renderings are for illustrative purposes only. 

 

Why use a catalogue design

Save time and reduce design costs

Using a Housing Design Catalogue plan can save time and reduce design costs because you do not need to create plans from scratch. 

The plans are free. You still need a qualified professional to adapt and finalize the building plans for your property, at your cost. Get more information from the "work with a qualified professional" section below.

 

Faster permit review

Building permits for small-scale residential projects, including Catalogue designs, are typically reviewed within 15 business days. This includesa mandatory zoning review. 

Even though planning and building staff have pre-reviewed the Catalogue designs, each project must still be approved for zoning, building code, and engineering compliance based on individual lot conditions. 

 

Get started 

To use a Housing Design Catalogue plan, you must: 

 1. Confirm what works on your lot
 

The first step is to understandthe applicable zoning rules to determine which designs may work for your property.  

In some areas, zoning rules may not permit the use of detached accessory structures. Further, the building heights of a detached accessory dwelling unit may exceed the maximum height permitted.  

Should the proposed location and design of the structure not comply with zoning rules for your property, you may wish to discuss your proposal with a Town planner prior to getting your building permit.  
 2. Choose and download a sign
 

Choose a Ontario Design and download the technical design package from the CMHC website.  

The technical design package includes: 

  • architectural and mechanical drawings (available in PDF, CAD, BIM formats) 

  • building performance reports (PDF) 

  • energy reporting documents and templates (available in PDF, Excel, HOT2000 formats) 

  • terms and conditions (PDF) 

  • user guide (PDF) 
 3. Understand permit requirements
 

Review building permit requirements and send an email to housing@caledon.ca for any questions.  

If you’re already engaging with a qualified professional, they may be able to answer your questions.  
 4. Work with a qualified professional
 

To adapt the design and prepare your building permit application, you will need to hire a qualified professional, such as an architect, engineer, or licensed designer with a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN).  

Additional professionals may be required depending on your location and site conditions.  

Your design team may need to: 

  • review your property for constraints such as easements, regulated areas (e.g., floodplains), boundary trees, utilities and underground services 

  • confirm the foundation type suitable for your site or preferences (note that the Catalogue includes a sample slab-on-grade option) 

  • prepare a lot development plan, based on a current site survey, to show how building, parking, walkways, etc. will be laid out to comply with zoning and site grading requirements 

  • prepare site servicing drawings 

  • confirm heat load calculations, and 

  • select accessibility and energy efficiency features as applicable; and, 

  • address locationand property-specific building code requirements, such as snow loads and window size and placement
 5. Renting the unit
We are rolling out a mandatory registration program for rental units. We will share more updates when they become available. 

 

Before you apply 

We can only issue a building permit if your project meets the criteria of the Building Code Act, 1992, the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and all applicable law, such as but not limited to zoning and conservation authority regulations.  

For information on incentive programs that may be available for your project (subject to criteria and funding), email housing@caledon.ca.