The City of Belleville is hosting a series of pop-up events about detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and updates to the design guidelines throughout the month of November.
A detached ADU is a self-contained residential unit located in a separate building on the same property as a home or place of worship. Also known as “coach houses” or “garden suites”, these units can provide housing for family members, caregivers or other tenants, while making efficient use of existing neighbourhood infrastructure.
The planning and designing of a detached ADU involves site-specific considerations to ensure the unit is appropriately located. The City of Belleville is updating its Development Guidelines to include detached ADUs as an initiative under the City’s Housing Action Plan. Introduced in 2024, the guidelines are a complementary resource to support developments of all types.
The guidelines will be updated to reflect the City’s new provisions to permit four dwelling units as-of-right. The updated guidelines will help homeowners create safe, functional and attractive units that meet the needs of occupants and complement neighbourhood character.
In November, a series of public consultation events are being offered for public feedback and information sharing regarding ADUs in Belleville. Residents also have the opportunity to respond to a survey about ADUs in their community.
“These events and survey are intended not just for people who are interested in building Accessory Dwelling Units,” says Thomas Deming, Manager of Policy Planning, “they are also a chance for people who live in the neighbourhoods where units are being built to have a chance to share their feedback about the process and neighbourhood impacts.”
Residents are encouraged to attend pop-up events and information sessions to better equip themselves with knowledge about ADUs and their place within our community.
Events in November are as follows:
ADU Pop-Up Booth
Belleville Senators Game
CIBC Place, 265 Cannifton Rd., Belleville, ON
Sunday, Nov. 15 from noon to 4 p.m.
ADU Pop-Up Booth
Quinte Mall, 390 North Front St., Belleville, ON
Friday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ADU Pop-Up Booth and Policy Planning Outreach
Women’s Wisdom Forum 2026
Best Western, 387 North Front St., Belleville, ON
Friday, Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about ADUs, visit getinvolved.belleville.ca/design-guidelines-update-accessory-dwelling-units.
Fill out the City’s survey about ADUs at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6FLZK59.
