LEGAL BASEMENT

Accessory Suite

  • Second unit is self-contained residential located within the house
  • Second unit is not legal unless it is registered with city and construction works inspected and approved by the city
  • Second units are permitted in detached, semi-detached and townhouse, subject to zoning requirements and restriction
  • You can contact to city to verify that your property is eligible for second dwelling permit
  • Very first city will check ZONING
    • In zoning following conditions are applied:
      1. Only one unit is permitted
      2. No additional parking is required for second unit
      3. Second unit must be smaller than principal/main unit
      4. Entrance of second unit can be located in the side or rear yard
      5. Entrance can be created only where there is 1.2m unobstructed path of travel
      6. Landing for second unit must be less than 0.6m above the ground
      7. Length and width of landing serving second unit limited to 0.9m
      8. Steps shall be provided at the front and rear of the landing
      9. Second unit is not permitted on lands zoned Open Space, Floodplain, or
      10. If you think all conditions for zoning by-law fit your property then you can apply for second unit building permit
      • There are few prescribed forms to be filled out for application process
      • Next step is to prepare for construction drawing
      • There are some critical requirements for drawing and Ontario Building Code (OBC) compliance
      • If you feel competent you can do the job yourself or you can hire competent architect/Engineer/Designer
      • What are the deficiencies of those basements are already DONE:
      • Entrance may or may not comply with zoning by-law
      • Room size may or may not comply to OBC
      • Window size may or may not adequate as required in accordance with OBC
      • Egress window may or may not be exist in accordance with OBC
      • Shared laundry may or may not comply to OBC
      • Smoke alarm/ carbon-monoxide detector may be absent in accordance with OBC
      • Plumbing works are not done with due inspection by the city
      • Wall insulation may be required to verify by the inspector
      • Sprinkler system may be required in accordance with OBC
      • Duck smoke alarm may be required to install in accordance with OBC
      • And so on

    What are requirements of Construction?

    1. A site plan showing all lot line, building foot print, road, AC location, and proposed entrance location, etc
    2. Basement floor plan showing all designated space and life safety requirement according to OBC
    3. Main floor plan showing all designated space and life safety requirement according to OBC
    4. Second floor plan showing all designated space and life safety requirement according to OBC
    5. Elevation drawing of the building where an entrance is proposed
    6. Elevation drawing of the building where a window or egress window is proposed
    7. Construction details drawing of Side entrance
    8. Construction details drawing of window and egress window
    9. Construction details drawing of below grade entrance/ Guard Rail/ etc

    Construction Drawing for the Existing and New Construction

    As mentioned earlier section

    Permit Issuance
    1. Once application & drawing approved city will provide building permit
    2. Water service might need to be upgrade depends on how old build is
    3. Construction must be carried out in accordance with OBC
    4. Approved permit must be kept at the site
    Inspection Requirements
    1. Owner/Contractor must call city to arrange for all required inspection
    2. Inspection will be required of the followings:
    3. Underground Plumbing
    4. Above ground plumbing
    5. Framing
    6. Insulation & air barrier
    7. HVAC rough-in
    8. Occupancy building, HVAC, Plumbing
    9. Final Building, HVAC, Plumbing
    10. Occupancy permit will be issued after successful completion of all inspection
    11. Where construction has previously taken place without a building permit the work may be required to be uncovered so that the inspector can verify compliance with the building code in accordance with OBC

    Electrical Safety Authority

    1. City doesn’t deal with Electrical matter
    2. Most of the residential home has 100A electricity line
    3. For legal basement unit need another 100A electricity
    4. Owner need to contact Local Electricity Provider to upgrade their electricity supply to 200A
    5. Moreover, Owner need to contact Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to have inspected their electrical wiring installation

    If you have any question regarding legal basement permit/ design services of custom home, or commercial development, please do not hesitate to call me:

    Zulhash Uddin, Ph. D., P.Eng.
    905-456-7166
    design@pwteam.ca

If you have any question regarding legal basement permit/ design services of custom home, or commercial development,

please do not hesitate
Contact Us