Residents looking to build secondary suites in Three Rivers, Prince Edward Island, can now do so without paying a permit fee. Town council recently approved waiving the $100 fee for accessory dwelling unit development permits for the remainder of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund program.
The Three Rivers Town Council decision aims to remove a financial barrier for homeowners who want to add basement apartments, granny flats, or other secondary units to their properties. By eliminating the cost, the town hopes to encourage the construction of more affordable housing options within the community of approximately 8,000 residents.
This initiative is supported by a $3.4 million investment from the federal government, which awarded the funding to Three Rivers to help build 116 new housing units over three years. The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion national effort designed to speed up housing development, with programs running until 2026-27.
The town has seen a significant rise in interest for new development recently. According to the municipality, March 2026 was one of the busiest months on record for the Planning Department, with 19 development permits processed.
The $100 fee had been previously established under the town’s Municipal Fees Bylaw. The new fee waiver for secondary suites will remain in effect through the duration of the federal housing program.
Governed by Mayor Debbie Johnston, Deputy Mayor Cody Jenkins, and six councillors, the town council continues to focus on strategies that increase housing supply for local residents.
