Recently there has been a surge of interesting accessory apartments in Canada.Defined as independent living spaces in primary housing units, accessory apartments usually share a yard and a parking space, and some-times an entrance. Referred to as either accessory apartments, illegal suites or secondary units, they are an ongoing planning issue both because of their predominantly illegal statusand becausethey are a method of housingintensification, which is increasingly beingseen as a necessary and desirable developmentoption. Typically renting at the low end ofthe market and representing a source of sup-plemental income for their owners, accessory apartments also enhance housing affordability for both renters and home owners alike. (excerpt from the document)