ONTARIO HOME INTEL · MUNICIPAL PROPERTY GUIDE · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026

Windsor Ontario Property Guide

Use this guide as a starting point when researching a home or residential property in Windsor. Property-specific zoning, servicing, floodplain constraints and permit history can materially affect what can be built, renovated or rented.

Windsor Ontario riverfront skyline — Photo by Mohamad Mohsen on Unsplash

2026 Property Taxes & Vacant Home Tax

Windsor’s approved 2026 municipal budget includes a 0% municipal tax levy increase. The amount a particular property pays still depends on assessment, property class and applicable rates. Windsor also increased its Vacant Home Tax to 4% of assessed value for 2026 and subsequent years, subject to the program’s occupancy rules and exemptions.

Zoning & Building Permits

Before buying for a planned use, confirm the property’s zoning with the City and check whether previous additions, finished basements, decks, garages or other alterations required permits. A legal use and a Building Code-compliant space are related but separate issues, so both zoning and permit status matter.

Additional Dwelling Units in Windsor

Windsor permits Additional Dwelling Units in qualifying single-detached, semi-detached, duplex and townhome/rowhouse properties. Current City material allows up to two additional units, for as many as three dwelling units on a qualifying lot, including configurations involving an accessory building.

Floodplain rules are especially important. The City states that basement ADUs are not permitted in floodplain areas. Outside floodplain areas, basement units may be permitted where required basement-flooding measures such as downspout disconnection, a sump pump and a backflow prevention valve are in place. Always verify the exact property with the City and Essex Region Conservation Authority where applicable.

Property information and municipal-record checks

Building Property Information Letter: Windsor can provide the lot size, zoning district, building and by-law violations, and issued permits with their descriptions, status and completion dates. If the established legal use of the property matters, the City directs applicants to obtain a separate Zoning Compliance Letter.

Sewer and servicing records: A Public Works Sewer/Permit Letter can identify sewer and other Public Works permits, sewer servicing information, applicable sewerage fees, local improvements, pending work or correction orders and servicing agreements. Windsor also offers a Sewer Information Sheet showing available sewers and recorded private-drain connections.

Other transaction checks: Depending on the property, buyers or their professionals can also request a Permit Finalization Letter, Environmental Site Audit Letter, Fire Department Realtor Letter, or information about site-plan, subdivision, development, servicing and encroachment agreements.

Windsor Property Due-Diligence Checklist

Confirm current zoning and permitted residential uses.
Check building-permit history for additions, basement finishes and conversions.
Determine whether the property is within an ERCA-regulated or flood-prone area.
Confirm sewer, backwater-valve and sump-pump conditions for basement living space.
Verify ADU eligibility before assuming rental income.
Review the Vacant Home Tax rules if the property may be left unoccupied.
Confirm current property taxes and assessment rather than relying on a listing estimate.

Official Windsor Resources

Property Information Request · Public Property Lookup / Property Document Request · Sewer Information Sheet

Windsor Property FAQ

Can a Windsor home have more than one additional dwelling unit?

Qualifying properties can support up to two ADUs under the City’s current framework, but zoning, building, servicing and site-specific constraints still apply.

Can a basement apartment be created in a Windsor floodplain?

The City states that ADUs are not permitted in basements in floodplain areas. Confirm the property with municipal planning staff and ERCA.

Did Windsor increase its municipal tax levy in 2026?

The approved 2026 budget includes a 0% municipal tax levy increase. Individual tax bills still depend on assessment and applicable rates.

General information only: Municipal rules and property conditions can change. Confirm current, property-specific requirements with the City of Windsor, ERCA and qualified professionals before relying on this guide.

Continue with the Essex County Property Guide for regional context, browse the Ontario Municipal Property Guides, or explore Ontario zoning and permit resources.