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This website is a guide and is not intended to replace professional advice. Please see our disclaimer for more information!

Consultation

Introduction to Site Feasibility Course


As part of the OHBA’s Futures Faster program, we developed an introductory course to Site Feasibility Studies. It is now open to the public!
Client:
 Ontario Home Builders’ Association
Date:
2026
Team:
Sam Eby
Toby Evans
Michael Piper
Irina Rouby Apelbaum



Course Overview


This online self-guided course is designed to equip prospective developers with the knowledge and tools to rapidly evaluate the potential of a residential lot for a multiplex conversion.

We developed this curriculum as part of the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) Futures Faster program, with funding support from Employment Ontario, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario. The goal was to build a practical framework to help professionals navigate the province's rapidly evolving building policies and gentle density initiatives.

The asynchronous learning is broken into three modules and culminates in a hands-on capstone exercise where students conduct their own site feasibility study to earn a micro-credential certificate, which is further supported by a live, interactive companion workshop.

Sign up here!

Module 1


Module 1 offers an introduction to Gentle Density and Feasibility Studies. It is a 20-minute introductory module that explores what is possible on a given residential lot through multiplex conversions. It establishes the feasibility study as a critical, foundational tool for evaluating a project's potential before engaging in detailed design or approvals.

Students will walk away with an understanding of:
  • The Basics: What a multiplex is and the mechanics behind multiplex conversions.
  • The Policy Context: The driving forces and policies enabling gentle density and infill housing.
  • Conversion Strategies: The primary approaches for transforming single-family homes into multiplexes.
  • Project Planning: Why conducting a feasibility study is essential at the earliest stages of development.




Module 2


Module 2 breaks down the regulatory frameworks that dictate both what you are permitted to build on a residential lot and what will physically fit. It explains how zoning bylaws, conservation authority regulations, heritage designations, and the Ontario Building Code (OBC) intersect to shape the viability of a multiplex conversion project.

After this module, students will have an understanding of:
  • Regulatory Impacts: The primary regulations and restrictions that govern what you are allowed to build on a specific lot.
  • Zoning By-Laws: How these municipal rules are typically structured, applied, and navigated.
  • Key Terminology: The essential terms and definitions frequently used in zoning and urban planning.
  • Provincial & Local Codes: A high-level overview of how the Ontario Building Code, conservation authority regulations, and heritage designations impact project planning.

Module 3


Module 3 walks students through the step-by-step process of gathering the information needed to evaluate a property. It transitions from theory to practice, culminating in a mandatory Capstone Quiz where students are tasked with applying their new skills to a real-world case study lot.

Through this, students learn how to:
  • Navigate Municipal Data: Find, read, and effectively use your municipality’s Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Maps.
  • Analyze the Lot: Identify the critical constraints and opportunities of a specific piece of land.
  • Assess the House: Evaluate the existing physical structure to determine its multiplex conversion potential.
  • Execute a Feasibility Study: Test your knowledge by downloading a provided property information package and gathering the relevant data to complete your Capstone assessment.



Live Workshop


After completing the self-guided modules, participants are invited to join the live, interactive workshop. This session is designed to bridge the gap between course theory and real-world application. Rather than just a standard lecture, this is a collaborative, open-floor environment where students can see the feasibility process in action, ask questions, and get support.

During the live workshop, students will experience:
  • Core Concept Refresher: A brief, focused review of site feasibility studies to ensure everyone is on the same page before diving into the practical exercises.
  • Live Case Study Walkthrough: The instructor guides students step-by-step through a brand-new case study lot, demonstrating exactly how to gather and analyze the required municipal data in real-time.
  • Active Q&A and Troubleshooting: Students are encouraged to interrupt! This session is built for jumping in, asking for clarity, and getting immediate answers to the complexities of zoning and bylaws together.
  • Personalized Project Support: Students who bring their own prospective projects to the vitural table can get feedback and guidance on specific roadblocks.

THIS WEBSITE, INCLUDING ALL DATA AND INFORMATION INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS BEING PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR AND HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR USE FOR CONSTRUCTION AT ANY LOCATION.

For certainty, ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners provides no representation or warranty regarding any use of or reliance upon this website, including any representation or warranty that this website  complies with applicable laws (including any applicable zoning by-laws or building code requirements) and any representation or warranty that any cost estimates included in or based upon this website have been validated by the applicable market. Any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose shall be at such person’s sole risk and ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners shall have no liability or responsibility for any such use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose. Prior to any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose, consultation with a professional architect duly licensed in the applicable jurisdiction is strongly recommended.