Multi-unit Residential and Mixed-use Buildings

A multi-unit residential building is a structurally separate set of living spaces that have a private entrance either outside of the building or from a common hall, lobby, or stairway inside the building. The entrance to the dwelling unit must be one that can be used without passing through anyone else's living area.

A mixed-use building is a building that is used for both residential and non-residential purposes.

Certain low-rise, multi-unit residential buildings and certain mixed-use buildings may qualify for the federal ecoENERGY grant.

Eligible multi-unit residential buildings

The following multi-unit residential buildings (as defined by Natural Resources Canada) qualify for the federal ecoENERGY program:

• Duplex: a 2 or 3-storey structure that has 2 dwelling units superimposed, in whole or in part, one on top of the other; each unit has its own private entry. Dwelling units that are side-by-side (e.g., semi-detached houses) do not fall into this category and should be modeled separately as single-family houses.
• Triplex: a 2 or 3-storey structure that has 3 dwelling units superimposed, in whole or in part, one on top of the other on 2 or 3 floors; each unit has its own private entry point.
• Apartment or flat: all multi-family structures other than duplexes, triplexes, row-housing units, single or semi-detached houses. The low-rise buildings are up to 3 stories above grade, have between 4 and 20 units and access to the entire building must be possible with no more than 2 exterior doors.

Eligible mixed-use buildings

The following mixed-use buildings qualify for the federal ecoENERGY program:

• buildings that contain non-residential spaces without commercial or industrial equipment, such as a clinic, a travel agency, a sewing shop, a bed and breakfast, a second hand shop, a bookstore or an office;
• the commercial space must be no more than 50 per cent of the floor area.

Mixed-use buildings that do not qualify:

• buildings that contain non-residential spaces with commercial or industrial equipment, such as a restaurant with commercial stoves, refrigerators and freezers; a health food store or corner grocery with commercial freezers/coolers; a laundromat with commercial washers and dryers.

Read about program eligibility.