Why is it important to legalize your basement in order to make a second dwelling unit?

Let’s be clear that there are two types of permit. One is called the owner use basement permit, a.k.a finish basement permit and the legal basement permit, a.k.a second dwelling unit. In the owner use basement, you cannot rent the basement, however in the legal basement, you can rent the basement. 

Legalizing a basement means it complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC). In some municipalities, it is called a second dwelling unit or accessory apartment unit. Legalizing a basement is mandatory as it enhances the safety of occupants and ensures that proper fire separations are put in place as per OBC. There are few major things to consider while legalizing your basement (There are other minor things as well which are not listed in here):

1. You need to have a separate entrance to your basement. 
2. You need an egress window in the living room. 
3. You need to have a window in the bedrooms. The size of the bedroom windows will be 5% of the size of the bedroom if the house is less than 5 years old. If the house is more than 5 years old, the size of the bedroom window reduces to 2.5%. 
4. You need to have a fire separation around the stairs. Sprinkler in the furnace room and fire rated door. 
5. Your electrical needs to be 200 Amps and plumbing needs to have an air vent installed. As installed by a licensed electrician and plumber. 
6. You need to have smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors installed which need to be interconnected. 
7. You need to have sufficient parking on your driveway. Some municipalities ask for 3 parking spots while others ask for 2 parking spots. 
8. You need to have 4 feet clearance on the side of the house for people to pass and enter to the basement. 

Once you register your basement with the city as a second dwelling unit. You will feel a sense of security with other benefits as well. 

1. Your household income goes up which means your borrowing power from the bank goes up as well. 
2. You will have your privacy and safety. 
3. It will likely increase the overall value of your house. 
4. In some municipalities, you will get a separate mailing box and additional garbage bin as well. 

So if you are looking to rent your basement in Ontario. You need to have a legal basement which complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC). We as a design company can help you obtain permits from the city with our design services. Should you have any further questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out at [email protected]