What permits do I require to construct a secondary suite?

If you're constructing a secondary suite in Ontario, there isn't one single "secondary-suite permit." You typically need a building permit, plus separate approvals/permits depending on the work and your municipality.

The main permits and approvals

1. Building Permit — required

• This is the primary permit for creating the secondary suite.

• You'll generally submit drawings showing the proposed layout, fire separations, exits, windows, insulation, plumbing, HVAC, electrical layout, etc. Ontario specifically states that adding a second unit requires a building permit.

1. Electrical Permit — required for electrical work

• Electrical work is handled through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), not the municipal building department.

• An electrical notification/permit is required and the work must be inspected by ESA.

1. Plumbing permit/approval

• Plumbing associated with the suite needs to comply with Ontario's plumbing requirements. Depending on the municipality and scope, the plumbing work may be included within the building permit or require the applicable plumbing permit/approval process.

1. HVAC

• If you're modifying the heating or ventilation system, additional HVAC requirements can apply. Ontario permits a shared furnace/duct system in certain second-unit situations, but specific fire-safety requirements apply.

1. Planning/zoning approval

• Before applying, you need to make sure the property is permitted to have a second unit under the municipality's zoning rules.

• Depending on the property, issues such as parking, entrances, setbacks, servicing and other zoning requirements may need to be addressed.

1. Second-suite registration/licensing

• This is municipality-specific. Some municipalities require the completed suite to be registered or licensed before it can be occupied.

If you're doing this in Barrie

Since you've previously mentioned secondary-suite work in Barrie, Barrie has a specific second-suite registration process. The City requires new second suites to have a building permit, and its registration requirements involve compliance with the City's zoning by-law, Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code and property standards.

Barrie's current second-suite building-permit checklist also calls for items such as the building permit application, residential second-suite drawings, designer information/stamped drawings where applicable, an applicable-law checklist and zoning/planning approvals where required.

Bottom line: For a typical Ontario basement secondary suite, think building permit + ESA electrical approval + applicable plumbing/HVAC requirements + zoning/planning compliance + municipal registration where required.