FAQs
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, where we aim to provide clear, concise answers to common inquiries about our services, processes, and policies. This section is designed to assist you in understanding how we operate and what you can expect when working with us. Whether you have questions about project scope, permit submission, revision policies, or our team's expertise, you'll find helpful information here. We've compiled these answers based on the most frequent questions we receive, ensuring that you have quick and easy access to the information you need.
Topics
Permit Works will send you a fee and service agreement for signature and another separate email with detail instruction of how to proceed. If you received our email instruction of how to proceed but did not received the fee and service agreement please double check you junk mail.
Once the agreement is sign and retainer received, our staff will contact you for site measurement date. The booking will only be confirm once the retainer is received. The approximate lead time for site measurement is 5 business days.
Permits for basement walkout stairs are required to ensure compliance with safety codes and regulations. They help guarantee that the construction meets structural and safety standards.
A basement walkout stair is an exterior stairway that provides direct access from the basement to the outside. It typically leads to a lower level or ground level of the property.
Yes a structural engineer is required to design the plans. Professionals ensure that the design meets building codes and safety requirements.
No, It's strongly advised not to start construction without obtaining the necessary permits. Construction without a permit can lead to fines and legal complications.
Permit processing times vary, but it's recommended to apply well in advance of your planned construction start date to account for any potential delays. From our experience, it will takes 2 to 4 weeks after the permit is submitted to the city.
Yes, building codes dictate the design and construction requirements for basement walkout stairs. Our plans comply with these codes to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Yes, inspections is required at various stages of construction to ensure compliance with the approved plans and building codes. Before you pour concrete, please call a structural engineer for general review, city inspector usually will required a signed report from the engineer.
Any changes to the approved plans usually require additional permits and we are here to help for your permit resubmission.
Permits are required to ensure that the proposed renovations comply with building codes and safety standards. They also help to protect the structural integrity of your home and the well-being of its occupants.
Common projects that often require permits include structural changes, electrical and plumbing work, additions, and alterations to the existing layout.
Check with your local building department or municipality. They can provide information on whether your specific project requires a permit and guide you through the application process.
Permit processing times vary depending on your location and the complexity of your project. It's advisable to apply well in advance of your planned start date to account for any potential delays. From our experience, it will take approximate 2 to 4 weeks after the permit has been submitted to the city.
Renovating without a required permit can result in fines, stop-work orders, and legal complications. It's crucial to obtain the necessary permits before starting any construction.
Permit fees vary based on the type and scope of the project. Contact your local building department to get an estimate of the fees associated with your specific renovation. Every city have a different rate and update every year, therefore we will not be able to provide you an exact amount of permit fee required for your project.
Yes, Permit Works is here to help with the permit application process. However, as the homeowner, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all required permits are obtained. If homeowner submit the self created drawings which mean the homeowner is liable for his/ her own design, even after the property has been sold to someone else.
Yes, you can and you can count of us helping you revise your approved permit drawings.
Permits for basement walkout stairs are required to ensure compliance with safety codes and regulations. They help guarantee that the construction meets structural and safety standards.
A basement walkout stair is an exterior stairway that provides direct access from the basement to the outside. It typically leads to a lower level or ground level of the property.
Yes a structural engineer is required to design the plans. Professionals ensure that the design meets building codes and safety requirements.
No, It's strongly advised not to start construction without obtaining the necessary permits. Construction without a permit can lead to fines and legal complications.
Permit processing times vary, but it's recommended to apply well in advance of your planned construction start date to account for any potential delays. From our experience, it will takes 2 to 4 weeks after the permit is submitted to the city.
Yes, building codes dictate the design and construction requirements for basement walkout stairs. Our plans comply with these codes to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Yes, inspections is required at various stages of construction to ensure compliance with the approved plans and building codes. Before you pour concrete, please call a structural engineer for general review, city inspector usually will required a signed report from the engineer.
Any changes to the approved plans usually require additional permits and we are here to help for your permit resubmission.
For short answer, 1950mm (6'-5") for house more than 5 years old and 2100mm (6'10.5") for house less than 5 years old. Please see below code reference and these requirements also elaborated in our blog post 5 Signs of an Illegal Basement Apartment or Permit for Legal Basement Apartment & Requirements
For a house that is less than 5 years old
The minimum height for the ceiling is 2300 mm over at least 75% of the required floor area with a clear height of 2100 mm at any point over the required area,
Reference Ontario Building Code 9.5.3.1. Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces
For a house that is past 5 years old
In detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and row houses containing not more than two dwelling units,
(a) Minimum room height shall not be less than 1 950 mm over the required floor area and in any location that would normally be used as a means of egress, or
(b) minimum room height shall not be less than 2 030 mm over at least 50% of the required floor area, provided that any part of the floor having a clear height of less than 1 400 mm shall not be considered in computing the required floor area.
Reference Ontario Building Code Part 11 C102 - 9.5.3.1 Ceiling Heights of Rooms or Spaces
In Summary, if your house is more than 5 years old and no more than 2 dwelling units then the absolute minimum height is 6'-5" or 50% of the room cannot be less than 2 030mm and the other 50% can be less than 2 030mm and any area that is less than 1400mm will not be included in the required floor area.
From the latter building code we quoted, the ceiling height can be less than 1 950mm, however, we will need to also consider the minimum height for a mean of egress required by code is 1 950mm according to OBC Part 11 C127. Therefore this concluded if your basement has a ceiling height that is less than 1 950mm, it is very likely to be illegal.
For house more than 5 years old:
The minimum fire separation is 15min fire separation for both wall & ceiling. However, not all cities accept 15min but they will require 30min fire separation instead.
For house less than 5 years old:
The minimum fire separation is 60min fire separation for both wall & ceiling.
Yes, if there a door between the main and proposed unit then the door will require to have a minimum 20 min fire separation including the door frame.
You will required to have a minimum 1 egress window for the whole basement apartment. The size is minimum 18" clear opening each way and total minimum 4 square feet of clear opening. (Reference Ontario Building Code 9.9.10.1 Egress windows or doors for Bedrooms)
Yes, smoke alarm & carbon monoxide alarm is required on every floor and every bedroom will required to have a smoke alarm installed. In most case, the alarm will required to be interconnected.
Windows in basement are not just for egress purpose only. It also a requirement for each living room & bedrooms in the basement apartment. The windows is required to fulfill the glazing area requirement for the building code. We have discuss this in detail in our recent blog post, read to learn more.
For house more than 5 years old:
Bedroom - 2.5% glazing area of the overall bedroom area
Living room & dinning area - 5% glazing area of the overall living area
For house less than 5 years old:
Bedroom - 5% glazing area of the overall bedroom area
Living room & dinning area - 10% glazing area of the overall living area
Yes, your basement apartment will required to have a separate entrance to fulfill the building code requirement. The separate entrance is require to have direct exterior access. Please see our Ontario Building Code reference below, this requirement also have been discussed in our blog post, read to learn more.
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), every dwelling unit containing more than 1 storey shall have exits or egress doors located so that it shall not be necessary to travel up or down more than 1 storey .......
Reference Ontario Building Code 9.9.9.1 Travel Limit to Exits or Egress Doors
Part 11 of the Ontario Building Code, specifically C136 - 9.9.9, applies to houses older than 5 years. A separate entrance to the basement apartment is still necessary, although it is less strict.
Most cities are removing the 1 additional parking requirement slowly. In some cities, they still require 1 additional parking for each additional unit, therefore in this situation you will require to have total of 3 parking space and this requirement is dependent on which city your property is located.
From our experience is no for building permit purposes. However, you are required to hire certified electrician for your project and the electrical inspection is performed by ESA and not by city building department.
Yes, just because your basement is already finish, it does not mean your basement is legalized and ready for rent. You will still requirement to obtain a building permit to legalize your basement apartment and demonstrate to the city the unit meet the minimum code standard for safety and fire safety requirement. We have discuss this topic in great length in our blog post read to learn more, Is your basement apartment legal? & Permit for Legal Basement Apartment & Requirements
Permits are required to ensure that the construction of your garage or carport complies with safety codes and regulations. This helps guarantee that the structure is built securely and meets the necessary standards to ensure the safety of occupants and the integrity of the structure.
Yes, permits are required for both attached and detached garages or carports.
No, it is not advisable to build a garage or carport without obtaining the necessary permits. Doing so can result in fines, legal complications, and the requirement to remove or modify the structure to meet code standards.
Permit processing times vary depending on your location and the complexity of the project. It's advisable to apply well in advance of your planned construction start date to account for any potential delays. From our experience, it usually take approximate 2 to 4 weeks to get the city approve from the date the permit is submitted to the city.
Any changes to the approved plans usually require additional permits and we are here to help.
Yes, building codes dictate the design and construction requirements for garages and carports. Our design and plans comply with these codes to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Yes, inspections are typically required at various stages of construction to ensure compliance with the approved plans and building codes. This may include inspections before, during, and after the construction process.