Fire Access Requirements for Garden Suites in Toronto

Last Updated: October 2025

Introduction

Designing a garden suite in Toronto requires careful attention to fire department access, one of the most critical factors in obtaining approval. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) and City of Toronto guidelines set specific standards for emergency access paths, travel distances, and fire-safety measures that protect both occupants and first responders.

This guide is written for homeowners, designers, and builders. It expands on the City’s official information by providing clear explanations, practical tips, and real-world examples, bridging the gap between regulation and implementation. Understanding these requirements early can help you avoid costly redesigns, reduce permitting risks, and keep your project on schedule.

Commonly referred to as a “fire access path” or “emergency fire access,” these standards apply to all new garden suites in Toronto, regardless of lot size or design.

Garden Suite Emergency Access Cheat Sheet

Requirement	Value
Path Width	0.9 m (sprinklered) / 1.0 m (non-sprinklered)
Path Height	2.1 m
Travel Distance	≤ 45 m (standard) / ≤ 90 m (with added safety measures)
Hydrant Proximity	≤ 45 m from fire truck parking
Extra Measures (for 90 m case)	Sprinklers or enhanced exterior construction + exterior strobe + interconnected smoke alarms
Narrow Lots	Consider sprinklers or a Limiting Distance Agreement (LDA)

Travel Distance Rules

Firefighters must be able to reach the entrance of the garden suite within a defined maximum travel distance from the street or nearest hydrant. Two distance limits apply:

Hydrant → Fire Truck Parking: Must not exceed 45 m (≈ 148’)
Fire Truck Parking → Garden Suite Entrance: Must not exceed 45 m for standard conditions or 90 m when additional fire‑safety measures are implemented

These distances are measured along the actual walking route, following the same path firefighters would take, not a straight line. Corners, gates, and obstructions must be factored in. The 0.9 m or 1.0 m width and 2.1 m height requirements remain constant, regardless of distance.

[Insert Diagram: Measuring Travel Distances (Hydrant to Truck, Truck to Suite)]
Alt text: Diagram showing firefighter travel path from hydrant to truck to garden suite entrance.

Fire Hydrant Proximity

A compliant fire hydrant must be located within 45 m (≈ 148’) of the fire truck’s parking position. This ensures firefighters have a reliable and immediate water supply. In dense urban neighbourhoods, this condition is typically satisfied automatically. However, in older or suburban areas where hydrants may be spaced farther apart, early coordination with Toronto Fire Services is essential. If a hydrant is beyond 45 m, design modifications or alternative fire‑safety measures may be required. As a last resort, the City of Toronto can install a new fire hydrant near the property, though this is often a time‑consuming and expensive option that should only be considered after all design adjustments have been explored.

Example: A property in North York had a hydrant 60 m away from the fire truck parking point. The design team addressed this during pre‑consultation by adjusting suite placement, ensuring compliance and avoiding construction delays.

[Insert Diagram: Fire Hydrant Location Example]
Alt text: Plan view showing a compliant hydrant within 45 m and a non‑compliant example exceeding the maximum distance.

Travel Distance Scenarios

Scenario	Maximum Distance	Additional Measures Required
Standard	≤ 45 m	None
Extended	≤ 90 m	Sprinklers or enhanced exterior wall + strobe + interconnected smoke alarms

Key Site Plan Requirements:

Label the fire access route with clear dimensions
Indicate hydrant and truck parking locations
Show measured distances (hydrant → truck → suite)
Include strobe light location (if applicable)
Identify LDA boundaries, if relevant

[Insert Flowchart: Choosing Between 45 m and 90 m Scenarios]
Alt text: Flowchart illustrating decision logic for standard vs. extended travel distances.

Additional Fire‑Safety Measures

To provide greater flexibility in design and site layout, the City of Toronto outlines two recognized approaches that can extend the permitted fire access travel distance from 45 m to 90 m. Designers can select the option best suited to their property’s layout, lot width, and construction type while maintaining consistent fire safety and accessibility standards.

Option 1: Automatic sprinkler system, exterior strobe light, and interconnected smoke alarms/warning system.

Option 2: Enhanced exterior fire protection materials and construction methods, exterior strobe light, and interconnected smoke alarms/warning system.

To qualify for the extended 90 m distance, one of the following approved configurations must be implemented:

Option 1: Sprinklers + Strobe Light + Smoke Alarms

Before implementing the sprinkler system option, designs must integrate key life‑safety components that meet City of Toronto and OBC standards. These systems work together to ensure rapid detection, notification, and suppression of potential fires.

Automatic Sprinkler System: Must be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D standards, with the full design and specifications prepared and stamped by a Professional Engineer.
Exterior Strobe Light: Installed on the exterior wall of the suite facing the main house (or access path), at a minimum height of 1.8 m above ground level. The strobe must conform to CAN/ULC‑S540 (Residential Fire and Life Safety Warning Systems) and CAN/ULC‑S526 (Visible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories), be rated for exterior use, and activate automatically through the interconnected smoke alarm system. It must include a control panel and be visible from the approach route, considering potential obstructions such as trees or fences.
Smoke Alarms/Warning System: A residential fire warning system designed, inspected, tested, and maintained in compliance with CAN/ULC‑S540 and the Ontario Fire Code (OFC). The design of this system must also be prepared and sealed by a Professional Engineer.

Option 2: Enhanced Exterior + Strobe Light + Smoke Alarms

Increased Fire Protection Materials and Methods: The design must incorporate increased fire protection on exterior walls, reduce or eliminate openings as required, and use non‑combustible cladding in specific conditions.
- Where the limiting distance is ≥ 2.4 m: The total area of glazed openings in the exposing building face must comply with Article 9.10.15.4 of Division B of the Building Code, using half the available limiting distance for calculations.
- Where the limiting distance is < 2.4 m: No unprotected openings are permitted, and the exposing building face must have a fire‑resistance rating of not less than ¾‑hour.
- Where the limiting distance is < 1.2 m: The exposing building face must be clad with non‑combustible materials.
Exterior Strobe Light: Installed on the exterior wall of the suite facing the main house (or access path), at a minimum height of 1.8 m above ground level. The strobe must conform to CAN/ULC‑S540 (Residential Fire and Life Safety Warning Systems) and CAN/ULC‑S526 (Visible Signal Devices for Fire Alarm Systems, Including Accessories), be rated for exterior use, and activate automatically through the interconnected smoke alarm system. It must include a control panel and be visible from the approach route, considering potential obstructions such as trees or fences.
Smoke Alarms/Warning System: A residential fire warning system designed, inspected, tested, and maintained in compliance with CAN/ULC‑S540 and the Ontario Fire Code (OFC). The design of this system must also be prepared and sealed by a Professional Engineer.

[Insert Diagram: Enhanced Exterior Wall Compliance]
Alt text: Diagram showing wall assembly, permitted openings, and non‑combustible cladding requirements for various limiting distances.

Sprinklered vs. Non‑Sprinklered Comparison

Requirement	Sprinklered Suite	Non‑Sprinklered Suite
Access Path Width	0.9 m	1.0 m
Access Path Height	2.1 m	2.1 m
Flexibility on Narrow Lots	More flexible	Less flexible
Safety Level	Higher	Standard
Typical Use Case	Narrow lots, higher fire‑safety investment	Wider lots, cost‑conscious builds

Example: On a narrow Toronto lot with only 0.95 m between the home and the property line, installing sprinklers reduced the clearance requirement from 1.0 m to 0.9 m, making the project feasible without major structural changes.

Shared Access (When the Path Is Too Narrow)

In some cases, a property may not be able to meet the minimum required fire access width of 0.9 m (for sprinklered suites) or 1.0 m (for non-sprinklered suites). When this occurs, it may still be possible to achieve compliance by creating a shared access path with a neighbouring property through a Limiting Distance Agreement (LDA).

An LDA is a formal legal agreement between both property owners and the City of Toronto that allows the combined width of two side yards to satisfy the City’s minimum fire access requirements. Once reviewed, approved, and registered on title for both properties, the agreement is officially recognized under the Ontario Building Code as providing compliant fire department access.

This process involves coordination between both property owners, review by the City’s Building Division and Legal Services, and the preparation of required documents by a lawyer. While more time-intensive than a standard design adjustment, it can provide a practical solution for narrow urban lots that would otherwise be ineligible for a garden suite.

Key Notes:

LDAs enable shared fire access between neighbouring properties when individual lots are too narrow.
Both owners must sign the agreement and have it registered on title for each property.
A lawyer must prepare the documents and coordinate with City staff.
The City charges $267.95/hour for legal review under Chapter 441 of the Toronto Municipal Code.
Begin early, the approval and registration process typically takes several weeks.

💡 Tip: Before pursuing an LDA, consult your designer and Toronto Building staff to confirm whether shared access is required or if other design solutions (such as sprinklers) can achieve compliance more efficiently.

👉 For complete step-by-step instructions, City contacts, and legal templates, see our detailed guide:
How to Establish a Limiting Distance Agreement (LDA) for a Garden Suite in Toronto.

Conclusion

Fire department access is one of the most important — and often overlooked — components of garden suite design in Toronto. Complying with these requirements ensures firefighter safety, protects residents, and prevents costly project delays.

By planning for proper access path width, travel distances, and hydrant proximity early in the design process, homeowners and designers can streamline approvals and avoid revisions. For narrow or constrained lots, implementing sprinklers, enhanced fire-resistant construction, or a Limiting Distance Agreement (LDA) provides alternative paths to compliance while maintaining safety standards.

Every property presents unique challenges, but early coordination with Toronto Building, Urban Forestry, and your design professionals is the key to ensuring your plans meet all City and Building Code requirements.

With proactive planning and clear documentation, achieving compliance is straightforward — ensuring your garden suite project moves from design to approval efficiently and safely.

Key Takeaways

Plan early. Address fire access requirements at the start of design to avoid delays.
Know your options. Sprinklers, enhanced exterior construction, or LDAs can resolve access challenges.
Document clearly. Always show access routes, hydrant distances, and safety measures on your site plan.
Coordinate with the City. Engage with Toronto Building staff early for guidance on unique site conditions.