Inside an apartment suite with a kitchen, dining room, and living room

Create or legalize a secondary suite

What is a secondary suite?

A secondary suite is an approved dwelling unit (with its own kitchen and living area as well as separate external access) within a larger one-family or two-family dwelling.

Secondary suites may share internal access with the main dwelling unit.

Add a new secondary suite to your home or legalize a secondary suite that was created without permits.

What you need to know:

A secondary suite cannot be strata titled
A third suite is not allowed under the Zoning and Development By-law
A duplex may have two suites; however, only one suite is allowed per primary dwelling unit
Secondary suites in duplexes or two-family homes are not approved in all zones
Secondary suites not approved through our permitting process are not legal dwelling units and not eligible for short- or long-term licences
A secondary suite must comply with all City by-laws prior to legalization (These items are usually addressed during the permit application phase.)

Are you creating a secondary suite as part of building a new house? Review the steps to building a new house

Steps to creating or legalizing a secondary suite

Step 1: Confirm if secondary suites are allowed in your area
If your secondary suite is or will be located in a duplex or two-family dwelling:
- Review the Zoning and Development By-law to confirm if secondary suites are allowed in your area
Contact the Development and Building Services Centre if your zone's district schedule indicates two-family dwellings are not an approved use. You may still have options.
Step 2: Determine if you need a secondary suite inspection
You only need a special inspection if you are legalizing an existing suite. The 2019 special inspection fee is $206 + GST.

A. Check to see if the following applies to your property:
- The City has already initiated enforcement action to legalize or remove the secondary suite; AND
- The house was built BEFORE January 2, 2001
If the points above:
- Apply to your property, you will be required to have a secondary suite inspection before you can apply for a permit
- Doesn't apply to your property, go to step 3
B. Request a secondary suite inspection

A secondary suite inspection includes having City inspectors:
- Come to your home and examine your suite
- Explain the upgrades or changes you will need to make your suite a legal and conforming suite
Once City inspectors have examined the space, we will send you a list of requirements that you will need to complete to have your suite approved.

How to request an inspection

You don't need to visit us to book an inspection.

Online

Register for an online account and submit your request

In-person

You can apply in person by:
- Filling out a special inspection application form (203 KB)
- Bringing the application and secondary suite inspection fee in person to the Development and Building Services Centre
Step 3: Prepare plans, submit your permit application, and pay fees
A. Prepare your floor and site plans

A development and building permit will be required to carry out upgrading work and formally change the use of your house to include a secondary suite.

If your space is eligible to be used as a secondary suite, we recommend that you speak to a qualified design professional and/or contractor to prepare plans for your suite.

You will need to provide:
- TWO sets of floor plans
- TWO sets of site plans
Your plans must be drawn to scale and clearly labelled.

During the permit application review, additional requirements may be requested on a case by case basis.

Review a sample of an acceptable drawing package (557 KB)

Floor plan requirements

Your floor plans must include the:
- Location and dimensions of all rooms (bedrooms/ kitchen/ bathroom/living room, etc.), stairs, windows, doors, and all plumbing and gas fixtures in the suite
- Suite’s ceiling height
Plans of the main house are not required to be submitted.

Site plan requirements
- Your site plans must include the:
  - Location and dimension of all on-site parking
  - Access path from the street to the suite entry and any protrusions encroaching onto the access path
  - Location of the lane and the street
  - Finished floor elevation (height of floor in relation to grade)
  - Grade level at the four corners of the site
B. Submit application and pay fees

Submit application:
- Fill out a development and building permit application form (196 KB)
- Fill out an owner's undertaking letter (105 KB)
- Deliver the application form, letter, and drawing package in person to the Development and Building Services Centre
We can only accept your application once you have provided all of the required documents and plans and paid your fees.

C. Review application

Following a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents, we will:
- Provide you with a list of items that you will need to address before we can issue your permit
- Book a meeting with you to discuss how to address these items
Once these items are addressed, we will issue your permit.
Step 4: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections
Once your building permit has been issued, you can begin work on your secondary suite, get the required trade permits, and book inspections.

If you need to make any change to the work approved in the permit, please contact the Development and Building Services Centre. Changes must be reflected on the approved plans and are subject to additional fees.

A. Apply for trade permits

Most house renovations will require separate trades permits. These are generally applied for by the contractor.

Get details about and apply for a:
B. Request inspections

All work completed will need to be inspected at various stages of construction. Your contractor can advise you when an inspection should be requested.

A secondary suite is not considered legal until the final inspection has been passed.

Get more information and book an inspection
Step 5: Complete construction and determine if you need a business licence
If the work meets all requirements, your suite will be approved.
- You DO NOT need a business licence, if your family (parents, children, etc.) will be living in the suite
- You DO need a business licence, if you intend to rent out your suite long-term
Unless you are the principal resident living in the suite (not the main house), you cannot use your secondary suite as a short-term rental.

How to get a business licence