Secondary Units in Picton & Prince Edward County (2026)

What are the ARU rules in Picton?

In Picton and the rest of Prince Edward County, a house on municipal water and sewer can have up to three units. Rural or privately serviced lots get one extra unit, only with a hydrogeological study. Second and third units are exempt from development charges.

County of Prince Edward: additional residential unit rules
Rule	What it says	Source
Units per lot	Up to 3 on serviced urban lots in a settlement area. 1 extra unit (2 total) on rural or privately serviced lots, with a supporting hydrogeological study	Official source
Detached units	Allowed. A suite in a detached structure needs a permit for dwelling use and must be built for year-round living	Official source
Zoning bylaw	New Comprehensive Zoning By-law adopted November 2025, replacing By-law 1816-2006	Official source
Minimum unit size	Removed from the zoning bylaw in 2022	Official source
Development charges	Exempt for a 2nd or 3rd unit in a house and one unit in an ancillary building on urban residential land. A new single home pays up to $17,294 (2026)	Official source

Servicing: ARUs on a private well or septic need a hydrogeological study. The three-unit permission only applies with full municipal water and sewer. Separate connection charges apply. (source)

These local rules sit on top of Ontario's province-wide ARU rules. See how Picton compares in our ARU rules by city comparison.

How do I get an ARU building permit in Picton?

Apply through Cloudpermit or in person at Shire Hall. Converting a garage to a dwelling needs a change-of-use permit. Book inspections in Cloudpermit with 24 hours notice.

Permit fees: Vary by project scope. The County has consulted on fee increases. See the official page.

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 Picton?

In Picton, the best local incentive right now is: No open ARU program. 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.

Picton ARU incentives and their status
Program	Amount	Conditions	Status
Secondary Suites Subsidy Pilot	Up to $25,000 forgivable loan	Long-term rental for at least 15 years	Closed May 27, 2022. No current round

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 Picton?

A 2 bedroom in Picton rents for about $1,998 a month on average, and a 1 bedroom about $1,759 (Prince Edward County, 2025 average). Vacancy: not published. A new, private suite with its own entrance often rents above these averages, which cover existing rental units.

Source: County of Prince Edward 2026 Q1 Housing Report (County rent survey).

Bachelor $1,706

1 bedroom $1,759

2 bedroom $1,998

3 bedroom $2,562

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?

Short-term accommodations need a County licence. Since September 2022 no new non-owner-occupied licences are issued, but an owner-occupied home can license a suite as a primary residence STA with Building and Fire Code compliance. Official rules

Worth knowing

The County runs its own rent survey because it says CMHC data understates local rents.
A County forgivable loan pilot of up to $25,000 per suite ran in 2022 and is closed.
Rural lots need a hydrogeological study to add a unit on well or septic.

Who do I call in Picton?

Start with the County of Prince Edward building or planning office for zoning and permit questions. These numbers come from the municipality's own website.

Office	Contact
Building Department	613-476-2148 ext. 2040
Building email	building@pecounty.on.ca
STA Office	sta@pecounty.on.ca

Or skip the phone tag: send us your address and we will check the Picton rules against your lot for free. Book a free property check.

Picton secondary unit FAQ

Can I build a garden suite in Picton?

Yes, a detached unit is allowed if it meets zoning, gets a permit for dwelling use and is built for year-round living. On full municipal services you can have up to three units in total. On well or septic, only one extra unit is allowed and a hydrogeological study is required.

Can I rent my Prince Edward County suite on Airbnb?

Only in limited cases. The County stopped issuing new non-owner-occupied short-term rental licences in September 2022. If you live in the main home, a suite can be licensed as a primary residence STA if it meets the Building and Fire Codes.

Are there grants for secondary suites in Prince Edward County?

Not right now. A County pilot offered up to $25,000 forgivable loans in 2022 and closed. Development charges are waived for second and third units, which is the main saving today.

Sources

Checked October 26, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the municipality before you apply. We are builders, not planners or lawyers.

Secondary units in Picton: 2026 ARU guide