◆ Ontario · Backyard & Secondary SuitesBuild a Backyard Suite on Your Property
Mary's Ark helps Ontario homeowners add a legal secondary suite — for family, aging parents, or rental income. Free consultation. Most properties qualify.
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How It Works
Three steps from "what does my property allow?" to a trusted builder.
- Zoning & Property Analysis — we confirm what by-laws allow on your specific lot.
- Incentives & Savings — we find financial incentives and tax savings that apply to your build.
- Trusted Builder Connections — we connect you to trusted builders to bring your suite to life.
Keep Family Close
A separate, self-contained home for the people you care about — right on your own property.
- Stay close to family and local services
- A complete private home, not a spare room
- No need to sell your home
A Ground-Floor Home for Aging Parents
A comfortable ground-floor suite lets parents live independently while staying steps away from family.
- Comfortable ground-floor living
- Independence, with family nearby
- Close to the local services they know
Generate Rental Income
A legal secondary suite can generate rental income — without selling your home.
- Rent privately, or through an agency head lease
- Agencies may pay you rent directly and cover vacancy
- No need to sell your home
Increase Your Equity
Adding a legal suite adds a complete second home to your property — and increases your equity while you stay put.
- A legal suite up to 1,000 sq ft
- Increase your property equity
- Stay in the home you own
Garth Brown — Providing Housing Solutions in Ontario Since 1990
Garth Brown founded Mary's Ark to empower homeowners to create housing on their property. He has been providing housing solutions in Ontario since 1990 and has built several legal secondary suites himself.
Mary's Ark is the homeowner's advisor: we handle zoning and property analysis, find financial incentives and tax savings, and connect you to trusted builders.
Real Projects on Real Ontario Properties
Project photography from Mary's Ark — detached backyard suites, bright interiors, and garage conversions.
Detached Backyard Suites
A detached two-bedroom garden suite — a complete home in the backyard.
Bright, Modern Interiors
A full kitchen and open living space inside a two-bedroom suite.
Garage Conversions
An existing garage converted into a self-contained studio suite.
What Mary's Ark Handles for You
Your Backyard Has a Home in It
By-laws now allow a suite up to 1,000 sq ft on almost every property — with no need to sell your home. We confirm what's possible on your specific lot in a free consultation.
Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a suite on my property?
By-laws now permit one or more legal secondary suites — garden suites, laneway suites, granny suites, carriage houses, and basement apartments — on almost every property. We confirm what your specific lot allows in the free consultation.
How big can the suite be?
By-laws now allow a suite up to 1,000 sq ft on almost every property.
Do I have to sell or move?
No — the suite is added to your existing property. You stay in your home, close to family and local services.
How does the rental income work?
You can rent the suite yourself, or agencies may take a head lease — paying you rent directly and covering vacancy.
What does Mary's Ark do vs. a builder?
We're the homeowner's advisor. Mary's Ark handles zoning and property analysis, finds financial incentives and tax savings, and connects you to trusted builders — we don't build the suite ourselves.
What areas do you serve?
Mary's Ark works with homeowners across Ontario.
Book Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your property and we'll call you within one business day — free, no obligation, and most properties qualify.
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