<P> The name townhouse or townhome was later used to describe non-uniform units in suburban areas that are designed to mimic detached or semi-detached homes . Today, the term, townhouse, is used to describe units mimicking a detached home that are attached in a multi-unit complex . The distinction between living units called apartments and those called townhouses is that townhouses usually consist of multiple floors and have their own outside door as opposed to having only one level and / or having access via an interior hallway or via an exterior balcony - style walkway (more common in the warmer climates). Another distinction is that in most areas of the US outside of the very largest cities, apartment refers to rental housing, and townhouse typically refers to an individually owned dwelling, although the term townhouse - style (rental) apartment is also heard . </P> <P> Townhouses can also be "stacked". Such homes have multiple units vertically (typically two), normally each with its own private entrance from the street or at least from the outside . They can be side by side in a row of three or more, in which case they are sometimes referred to as rowhouses . A townhouse in a group of two could be referred to as a townhouse, but in Canada and the US, it is typically called a semi-detached home and in some areas of western Canada, a half - duplex . </P> <P> In Canada, single - family dwellings, be they any type, such as single - family detached homes, apartments, mobile homes, or townhouses, for example, are split into two categories of ownership: </P> <Ul> <Li> Condominium (strata title) where one owns the interior of the unit and also a specified share of the undivided interest of the remainder of the building and land known as common elements . </Li> <Li> Freehold, where one owns exclusively the land and the dwelling without any condominium aspects . These may share the foundation as well but have narrow air spaces between and still referred to as a townhouse . </Li> </Ul>

The suburban version of the row house is called a townhouse