Garage suite,
or garden suite?
Moncton calls a standalone unit a "garden suite." But the two configurations, garage suite and garden suite, still mean different things when you're actually planning a build, regardless of the label.
Same zoning category, different fit.
Living Space Above a Garage
Built above a detached garage, making efficient use of a structure you may need anyway for parking or storage. A practical choice when ground-floor space is limited.
A Standalone Ground-Level Unit
A self-contained, one-storey structure separate from any garage, sometimes called a tiny home, suited to lots where single-level living matters, like aging in place.
Choosing a configuration, straight answers.
Which configuration is right for aging in place?
A garden suite is usually the better fit: single-level, no stairs, and can be designed fully accessible. A garage suite typically requires climbing stairs to reach the living space above the garage.
Is one configuration cheaper to build than the other?
It depends on your existing lot. If you already need a garage, building the suite above it can share some structural costs. A standalone garden suite has no shared structure to offset against. We'll compare both for your specific lot during a consultation.
Can I build a garage suite if I don't need a garage?
You can, but at that point a garden suite is often the more efficient choice, since you're not paying for garage structure you don't need underneath the living space.
Do cities treat them differently for permitting?
Both fall under the same "Backyard Housing" zoning category with the same Development and Building Permit requirements. The difference is in the design, not the approval process.
Not sure which fits your lot?
Book a no-pressure consultation and we'll walk through both options for your property.