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Secondary Suite Permit

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Secondary Suite Permit

Permit drawings and application support for creating or legalizing a secondary suite in a house, including layout, safety, code, and municipal review requirements in Ontario.

Request a Permit QuoteCALL 416 989 8900

Code & Safety Review

City Submission & Review Support

Fast, Clear Communication

Do You Need a Permit for a Secondary Suite?

In most cases, yes. Creating or legalizing a secondary suite usually requires a building permit because the municipality must review fire separation, exits, ventilation, smoke/CO alarms, and other life-safety requirements. A basement apartment is one common type of secondary suite, but secondary suites can also be located elsewhere in a house where permitted.

What Secondary Suite Permit Usually Involves

Existing layout review

Suite layout planning

Fire and life-safety coordination

Permit drawings

City comment support

Key Requirements for a Secondary Suite Permit

Secondary Suite Permit permit drawing example and review

Separate and safe entrance/egress review
Fire separation and protected openings review
Smoke/CO alarm and ventilation considerations
Property information, address, and existing site conditions
Permit-ready drawings prepared to match the scope of work
Applicable Ontario Building Code and municipal zoning review
Coordination with structural, mechanical, or other consultants where the project requires it
Support responding to municipal plan examiner comments after submission

Need help preparing a secondary suite permit submission?

Permit Works can review the project scope, prepare permit-ready drawings, coordinate consultant input where needed, and support the application through city comments.

Request a Permit Quote

or call 416 989 8900

Our Permit Process

Quotation

We review your scope of work and provide a clear quotation.

Site Documentation

On-site measurement and information gathering

Design

We provide a preliminary design approximately 5–10 business days after the site visit, depending on project scope.

Permit Package

Once the design is confirmed, we prepare the permit package for city submission.

City Submission

We submit your application for city review.

City Review & Support

We respond to city comments and support the permit review process.

Drawings & Documents Typically Required

Existing and proposed floor plans

Life-safety and fire separation notes

Sections/details for affected assemblies

Window/egress and door information

Municipal application forms and supporting documents

Not all drawings listed above are required for every project. We confirm the required drawings based on your project scope, property, municipality, and permit requirements.

Common City Review Issues

Insufficient fire separation details

Egress windows or exits not clearly shown

Smoke/CO alarm locations missing

Ceiling heights or room sizes not coordinated

Zoning or parking questions during review

What Our Clients Say About Us

4.6/5

Based on 75+ verified reviews

4.9/5

Based on 80+ verified reviews

“From the first point of contact to getting permit approvals, Permit Works was very professional and responsive. They created a frictionless customer experience for what is typically a frustrating and long process to obtain permit approvals from the City of Toronto.”

Robert L
Verified Google Review

"It has been great working with Permit works on multiple projects that I have brought them on for. They are very well organised and fast in their deliverables. As a general contractor I wish most companies were like them. Saveska Construction will continue to use them in the future."

Savinda A
‍Verified Google Review

“Permit Works assisted us with acquiring a permit for our deck modification. The process took some time, but the team was able to successfully secure the permit, and we appreciate their effort throughout the process.”

Kaarlyn L
‍Verified Google Review

“Permit Works guided us through the entire city permit process smoothly and professionally. Their service was efficient, knowledgeable, and reliable from start to finish.”

WN L
Verified Google Review

“Permit Works guided me through the entire permit process with patience and professionalism. Their knowledge, responsiveness, and willingness to go the extra mile made a stressful situation much easier.”

Daniel G
‍Verified Google Review

The team was incredibly thorough and patient throughout the process. They took the time to explain every detail, maintained ongoing communication, and were always responsive to our questions. Thanks to their dedication, my friend's drawings were approved smoothly and correctly.

Nu Q
Verified Google Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Secondary Suite Permit Support by Municipality

See local zoning and permit information for Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, and Brampton.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Tell Us About Your Project

Send your project address, municipality, and proposed work. Permit Works can review the scope and identify the drawings, consultant coordination, and permit support that may be needed.

✓Review led by a licensed Ontario Architect

✓Residential and commercial projects

✓Toronto and GTA municipalities

Prefer to speak with us? Call 416 989 8900

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Start Your Secondary Suite Permit Review

Share your project details with Permit Works and we can help identify the drawings, documents, and permit pathway needed before you submit.

Request a Permit Quote

or call 416 989 8900