Ask any multiplex developer in Toronto what keeps them up at night, and the answer probably isn't zoning. It isn't permits (though those are bad enough). It's Toronto Hydro.
Getting electrical service connected to a new multiplex building in Toronto has become one of the most unpredictable and time-consuming steps in the entire development process. And unlike zoning or permits, it's almost entirely outside the developer's control.
The Timeline Problem
Toronto Hydro's process for new service connections involves multiple stages: application review, design, approval, and installation. For a multiplex project — even a simple fourplex — the timeline from application to energization can stretch to up to 18 months.
That's up to 18 months where a fully constructed building sits empty. No tenants. No revenue. Just carrying costs accumulating on a project that's otherwise complete.
For a large condo developer, this is a manageable cost absorbed across hundreds of units. For a multiplex developer building 5-6 units, it can be the difference between a viable project and a money-losing one.
The Electrification Collision
The problem is getting worse, not better. Toronto's push toward electrification — heat pumps, electric vehicle charging, induction cooking — means new multiplex buildings have higher electrical loads than the gas-heated homes they replace.
This often requires transformer upgrades or new infrastructure that Toronto Hydro wasn't planning for. The result: longer timelines, higher costs, and a process that feels designed for a different era.
What Needs to Change
Toronto's zoning says multiplexes are welcome. The permit system (slowly) agrees. But the electrical infrastructure process hasn't caught up. If the city is serious about multiplex housing, Toronto Hydro needs to be part of the solution:
- Dedicated fast-track for as-of-right multiplex connections
- Predictable timelines published and enforced
- Proactive infrastructure planning in neighbourhoods where multiplex development is concentrated
At NBRS, we factor Toronto Hydro timelines into every project plan from day one. It's not ideal, but it's the reality of building multiplex housing in Toronto today.
FAMILY 1 is on track despite these challenges. Join our waitlist to stay updated.