The Catalogue includes regionally tailored, standardized designs with complete technical drawing packages for accessory dwelling units, townhouses, rowhouses, and multiplexes.
Summary packages include:
- Floor plans
- Visualizations
- Key building details
CMHC Housing Design Catalogue
Free to use, pre-reviewed and permit ready
The Housing Design Catalogue provides ready-to-use housing designs tailored to regions across Canada. The designs prioritize energy efficiency, accessibility, and livability, and have been developed by local architects and engineers to comply with regional building codes. The Catalogue helps municipalities, builders, and homeowners deliver homes in a streamlined effort.
The CMHC Housing Design Catalogue includes full construction drawings for multi-residential buildings. The Ontario drawing packages listed on this page have been pre-reviewed by Lakeshore’s building department and meet all necessary codes and regulations, significantly reducing permit approval wait times.
Supporting gentle density
Adding more housing options to established neighbourhoods is a critical part of addressing Canada’s housing crisis. The Housing Design Catalogue helps make this possible by offering designs focused on infill development and gentle density.
Pre-reviewed Ontario Designs
The following CMHC Ontario drawing packages have been pre-reviewed by Lakeshore’s building department:
What's included:
Technical design packages include:
- Full drawing sets (PDF, CAD, BIM)
- Energy performance reporting
- Accessible layout options
Tools and guides include:
- Resources to support site planning
- Project budgeting guidance
- Climate resilience strategies
- Material selection support
- Energy-efficiency best practices
Catalogue designs are based on common lot sizes and planning regulations across Canada. Using a qualified professional, such as a licensed architect, engineer, or designer, designs can be modified to suit local zoning, site conditions, servicing requirements, and material or cladding preferences.
Permits and getting started
A building permit is required before constructing any of the pre-reviewed designs. Although the drawing packages are free to use, they must be adapted for your property by a qualified professional, such as an architect, engineer or licensed designer with a Building Code Identification Number, also known as a BCIN.
Zoning approvals, permit fees and charges depend on the number of units, the property and the proposed design. Ontario Building Code requirements may also affect the design of your building.
- Review Lakeshore’s zoning regulations for Additional Residential Units, 4 Units As-Of-Right and any other rules that may apply to your property.
- Check your property’s zoning using Lakeshore’s online mapping system.
- Review the applicable regulations in Lakeshore’s Zoning By-law 2-2012.
- Explore the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue and choose an Ontario design that works for your property and goals.
- Download the technical design package for your chosen plan and review CMHC’s terms and conditions.
- Work with a qualified professional, such as an architect, engineer or BCIN designer, to adapt the design to your site and prepare the required documents for your permit application.
- Finalize your design and submit your building permit application.
Incentives that may help your Development
The Housing Incentives Program was developed to increase the supply of housing and encourage infill development.
Learn more about Lakeshore's Community Improvement Plan landing page.
Contact Us
Municipality of Lakeshore
419 Notre Dame St.
Belle River, Ontario N8L 0P8
Phone 519-728-2700
Email PublicService@Lakeshore.ca