Short answer: the City-set costs of a Vaughan garden suite are the building permit fee under By-law 051-2026, an Accessory Grading Permit ($693 + $2,500 deposit under 40 m², or $1,003 + $5,000 deposit over 40 m²), and any TRCA or Committee of Adjustment costs. York Region's DC Bylaw 2026-20 exempts prescribed additional units. As an illustration only, a turnkey one-bedroom GTA garden suite is around $310,000.
Key takeaways
| Question | Short answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Set by By-law 051-2026, effective Feb 24, 2026 | Vaughan Building Standards |
| Grading permit, under 40 m² | $693 + $2,500 deposit | City of Vaughan |
| Grading permit, over 40 m² | $1,003 + $5,000 deposit | City of Vaughan |
| Order of permits | Grading permit before building permit application | City of Vaughan |
| Development charges | York Region exempts prescribed additional units | York Region Bylaw 2026-20 |
| Total build (illustrative) | About $310,000 turnkey one-bedroom; not a quote | Modular X |
Building permit fee
Vaughan's Building Standards department publishes the current fee by-law, By-law 051-2026, effective February 24, 2026. A garden suite needs a building permit with professionally prepared drawings (City of Vaughan); the by-law schedule sets the fee.
Grading permit and deposit
- Accessory structure smaller than 40 m²: $693 fee and $2,500 deposit.
- Accessory structure larger than 40 m²: $1,003 fee and $5,000 deposit.
The grading permit comes from Development Engineering before the building permit application, and the fee includes two drawing reviews (City of Vaughan).
Development charges
York Region DC Bylaw 2026-20 exempts, subject to prescribed restrictions, additional units in prescribed structures ancillary to existing residential buildings (s. 3.4(d)) and a second unit in prescribed new residential buildings (s. 3.4(e)).
Other approvals
Vaughan lists TRCA approval and Committee of Adjustment approval where applicable. Check your lot with our free feasibility check.
Total cost
As an illustration only, a typical one-bedroom turnkey garden suite in the GTA is around $310,000. It is not a quote. See also our Ontario garden suite cost guide.
Related: garden suite cost ontario · vaughan garden suite permits · garden suite cost markham.
FAQs
Sources
- City of Vaughan — Building Standards (fee By-law 051-2026)
- City of Vaughan — New structure or addition (grading permits)
- City of Vaughan — How to get a secondary suite / ADU
- York Region — Development Charges Bylaw 2026-20
Disclaimer: Figures cited are market estimates provided for information only and are not a quote. Municipal rules, fees, and programs change — always verify current requirements with your local authority. Modular X provides exact pricing only after a site-specific feasibility review.