What are the ARU rules in Belleville?
Belleville allows up to three accessory dwelling units plus the main house on fully serviced residential lots since March 2025. Each ADU can be up to 100 m² with two bedrooms. The City pays rebates of $5,000 per ADU, and $10,000 for a third, while funds last.
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Units per lot | Up to 3 ADUs plus the main unit on full municipal services (By-law 2025-38, March 10, 2025). Rural: City page says up to 2 ADUs; confirm with Planning | Official source |
| Detached ADUs | Allowed in an accessory building, maximum 1 ADU per detached building | Official source |
| Maximum size | Lesser of 100 m² or the main dwelling, max 2 bedrooms. Basement ADUs are exempt from the 100 m² cap | Official source |
| Height | 4.5 m in residential zones, 6.0 m rural residential, 10.0 m rural and agriculture | Official source |
| Setbacks | 1.0 m rear and side in residential zones, 3.0 m rural, 7.5 m agriculture. 1.0 m from the main house. Not closer to the street than the house | Official source |
| Zoning bylaw | Zoning By-law 2024-100, amended by By-law 2025-38 | Official source |
| Development charges | Provincial exemptions apply for 2nd and 3rd units and one unit in an ancillary building | Official source |
Servicing: More ADUs are allowed on full municipal services. On private septic, a system evaluation may be needed, and a hydrogeological study where groundwater is a concern. (source)
These local rules sit on top of Ontario's province-wide ARU rules. See how Belleville compares in our ARU rules by city comparison.
How do I get an ARU building permit in Belleville?
Apply online through the CityView portal. Owners can draw their own plans unless the building will hold a third unit. Inspections cover framing, plumbing, insulation, fire separations and pre-occupancy. Legal units are listed on the City’s public ADU registry.
Permit-ready drawings are where most delays start. Our ARU design and permit service prepares the full set and answers reviewer comments.
Are there grants for secondary units in Belleville?
In Belleville, the best local incentive right now is: $5,000 to $10,000 rebate per ADU. Second and third units are also exempt from development charges, and the federal CMHC-insured refinance lets owners borrow up to 90% of the finished home's value. Check each program's status below before you plan around it.
| Program | Amount | Conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIP Program 2: ADU Rebate | $5,000 each for the 1st and 2nd ADU, $10,000 for a 3rd (with HAF top-up) | New or legalized units. Pre-consult planning@belleville.ca before starting. No short-term rental | Open, first come first served |
| CIP Program 3: Accessibility Top-Up | Up to $5,000 plus up to $3,000 HAF top-up | Rental unit barrier-free beyond Building Code minimums | Check with the City |
| CIP Program 4: Missing Middle Per-Door Grant | $5,000 to $30,000 per unit | Low-rise multi-unit projects such as duplexes and townhomes | Check with the City |
Federal options apply everywhere, including CMHC-insured refinancing of up to 90% of the finished home's value. Read the secondary suite financing guide.
What rent can a secondary unit earn in Belleville?
A 2 bedroom in Belleville rents for about $1,485 a month on average, and a 1 bedroom about $1,315 (Belleville, 2024). Vacancy: 3.2% (2024). A new, private suite with its own entrance often rents above these averages, which cover existing rental units.
Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey via City Housing Needs Assessment (May 2025).
Averages for existing rental units. A new, private suite often rents above the average. Data source.
Can I use the unit as a short-term rental?
Every short-term accommodation needs a licence since December 1, 2025. A rented ADU counts as whole-home ($1,000, renewal $500). Stays under 28 nights, max 4 guests, and not within 100 m of another registered STA. CIP-funded ADUs cannot be short-term rentals. Official rules
Are there pre-approved ARU designs in Belleville?
Near permit-ready ADU designs are pre-reviewed by Belleville building officials: CMHC catalogue Ontario ADU 01 (1 bedroom, 58.9 m²) and ADU 02 (3 bedrooms, 95.2 m²) are free. A BCIN designer must adapt them to your site. See the designs.
Worth knowing
- About 1,230 properties were upzoned for low-rise multi-unit housing in March 2025.
- Belleville signed a Housing Accelerator Fund agreement in December 2024 targeting 1,390 permitted units in three years.
- Legal ADUs appear on a public registry updated monthly.
Who do I call in Belleville?
Start with the City of Belleville building or planning office for zoning and permit questions. These numbers come from the municipality's own website.
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Planning | 613-967-3200 ext. 3288 |
| Planning email | planning@belleville.ca |
| City Hall | 613-968-6481 |
Or skip the phone tag: send us your address and we will check the Belleville rules against your lot for free. Book a free property check.
Belleville secondary unit FAQ
How many ADUs can I build in Belleville?
On a lot with a single, semi or townhouse on full municipal services, Belleville allows up to three ADUs plus the main home, four units in total, since March 2025. Only one ADU can be in a detached building. Rural rules are stricter, so confirm with Planning.
Does Belleville give grants for secondary units?
Yes. The Community Improvement Plan pays a rebate of up to $5,000 for each of the first two ADUs and up to $10,000 for a third, after final inspection. You must pre-consult with Planning before starting, and funded units cannot be short-term rentals.
What does an ADU permit cost in Belleville?
The building permit is $7 per square metre with a $100 minimum, plumbing is $15 plus $7 per fixture, and the occupancy permit is $20. Septic upgrades are extra.
Sources
Checked October 26, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the municipality before you apply. We are builders, not planners or lawyers.
- City of Belleville: Accessory Dwelling Units
- City of Belleville: Zoning Visual Guide, ADUs
- City of Belleville: Housing CIP programs
- City of Belleville: Near permit-ready ADU designs
- City of Belleville: Short-term accommodations
- City of Belleville: Housing Needs Assessment 2025
- Open Council: Belleville four units as of right