ONTARIO HOME INTEL · MUNICIPAL PROPERTY GUIDE · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026

Amherstburg Ontario Property Guide

Amherstburg combines established urban neighbourhoods, rural properties and Detroit River/Lake Erie influences. Buyers should pay particular attention to zoning, servicing, floodplain constraints and permit history.

Amherstburg Ontario waterfront — Photo by Howard Walsh on Unsplash

2026 Property Taxes

Amherstburg approved its 2026 operating and capital budgets with a reported 2.86% tax increase. The Town’s property-tax page currently notes that its detailed 2026 tax-rate schedule will be posted separately, so property owners should confirm the current final rate directly rather than relying on an older-year schedule.

Zoning & Building Permits

The Town’s January 2026 zoning consolidation should be checked for the property’s zone and permitted uses. Amherstburg’s 2026 building-fee schedule lists a minimum residential permit fee of $1,200 and includes specific fees for secondary units; fees and required drawings vary by project.

Secondary Dwelling Units

Amherstburg’s current zoning by-law permits secondary dwelling units where single-detached, semi-detached or rowhouse dwellings are permitted, subject to detailed regulations. The by-law requires an additional parking space for a secondary unit where parking is otherwise required, generally does not allow a new driveway solely for the secondary unit, and requires accessory structures containing a unit to be in a rear or interior side yard and subordinate to the main dwelling.

An accessory-structure secondary unit has a minimum gross floor area of 30 m², must be within 20 metres of the primary dwelling, and must comply with the Ontario Building Code. Secondary units in cellars are restricted in floodplain areas regulated by the conservation authority.

Property records, septic and transaction checks

Building and septic records: Amherstburg maintains property-specific building records and issues permits for renovations, additions, secondary units, septic/sewer work and other construction. Where an older improvement or private sewage system affects the purchase, buyers should ask the Town what permit, inspection or septic records are available; additional historical records may be obtainable through a municipal Freedom of Information request.

Tax certificate: Amherstburg tax certificates are specifically used for property sales, purchases and refinancing. They report yearly tax amounts, payment information, penalties and outstanding balances.

Fire records: Amherstburg Fire accepts requests for property documents and Fire Department Realtor letters, providing another property-specific check where fire-safety history is material to a transaction.

Amherstburg Property Due-Diligence Checklist

Confirm the zoning and legal use of all existing dwelling areas.
Review permit history for basement, addition, garage and secondary-unit work.
Check ERCA mapping and floodplain constraints for riverfront and low-lying properties.
Confirm municipal water/sewer versus private servicing where relevant.
Verify whether parking, setbacks and accessory-building dimensions support a secondary unit.
Confirm the current 2026 tax rate and property assessment.

Official Amherstburg Resources

Building, septic and permit resources · Tax Certificates · Fire property documents / Realtor letters · Municipal record requests

Amherstburg Property FAQ

Can a secondary unit be built in an accessory structure?

The zoning by-law allows secondary units in legally established accessory structures subject to location, size, Building Code and other requirements.

Does a secondary unit require another parking space?

Generally yes where the by-law requires parking for the primary residence; tandem parking is permitted in the secondary-unit provisions.

Are floodplain restrictions important in Amherstburg?

Yes. The zoning by-law restricts secondary units in cellars within regulated floodplain areas, and other development may also require ERCA review.

General information only: Verify property-specific requirements with the Town of Amherstburg, ERCA and qualified professionals before proceeding with a purchase or project.

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