As concerned citizens and law-abiding homeowners of Milton, Ontario, we are calling on our municipal leaders to take immediate action to address the unfair impact of recent Additional Residential Unit (ARU) regulations.

Many of homeowners have already gone through the rigorous and costly process of legalizing our basement or secondary units. We obtained permits, followed zoning bylaws, safety, floor plans, ESA certification and ensured full compliance with health and safety standards. These efforts were made in good faith, with the understanding that we were contributing to a safer, more inclusive, and more affordable Milton.

Now, we are being subjected to a new wave of ARU regulations that indiscriminately target all homeowner(s) they’ve already met legal, bylaws and compliance obligations. These blanket rules are not only redundant but also punitive. They impose additional financial burdens and bureaucratic hurdles without offering any measurable improvement to community safety or housing outcomes.

One such burden is the newly imposed $340 fee, which is entirely unnecessary for homeowners who have already paid for permits and related inspections. This cost must be removed. Charging compliant homeowners again for what has already been approved is unjust and undermines trust in the regulatory process.

Legalized basement apartments and ARUs play a vital role in addressing housing shortages. They provide safe, affordable accommodations for families, and individuals across our beautiful town of milton. By complying with existing regulations and frameworks, we have already helped advance these goals. Penalizing those who have done everything right sends the wrong message and discourages future compliance.

We urge the Town of Milton and relevant municipal authorities to:

- Exempt previously approved and legally registered ARUs from new regulations

- Remove the $340 fee for homeowners who have already fulfilled permit and inspection requirements

- Focus enforcement efforts on unregistered and unsafe units

- Recognize the contributions of responsible homeowners who have followed the law

Please sign this petition to support reasonable and equitable housing policies that reflect the values of our community. Let’s build a fairer, more transparent system that rewards compliance and homeowners not punishes it.