Second
Suites: Dealing with municipal government offices.
Who
does what? Four staffing sections are responsible for second
suites across Toronto.
Buildings
Division Buildings staff can give you information on all
the requirements for a new second suite and are responsible
for issuing building permits. Your new suite must
meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code,
zoning and other laws that may apply.
Fire
Services Fire Services can give you information on the
steps to follow to make sure an existing second suite
is safe under the Fire Code and how to get clearance
from the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority.
Municipal
Licensing and Standards (ML&S)
ML&S staff are responsible for zoning and property
standards. If you already have a second suite, you
can contact ML&S to find out if you property permits
a second suite and complies with fire and property
standards.
Shelter,
Housing and Support The main role of housing staff is information
and community outreach. Housing staff are working
with community agencies such as the Landlords’
Self-Help Centre, Housing Help Centres and the Toronto
Real Estate Board to provide information to the public
on second suites.
Existing
Second Suite If you have a second suite
and you want to have it legalized, you may contact
Fire Services or Municipal Licensing and Standards.
Either section will assist you in determining your
starting point.
New
Second Suite If you are creating a new second
suite, the first point of contact will be the Zoning
office in the Buildings Division for your community
(i.e. South or East or North Districts).
Zoning Offices
Zoning offices associated with the former cities with
in Metro Toronto are still operating respective to
their jurisdiction. Go
to your local zoning office:
East
York: 416-397-4489, 850 Coxwell Avenue (north of
Danforth Avenue), Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.
– 4:30 p.m.
North
York: 416-395-7000, 5100 Yonge Street (North York
Civic Centre) Building Department, first floor,
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(former)
City of Toronto: new City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.,
Main Fl., W. Tower
The following
information will be of value to you. Your Guide
to Building Permits brochure shows you the quality
of design plans (showing full dimensions) expected.
The East York office
also provides
the document “Your Guide to Preparing Permit
Drawings” which gives two sets of drawings examples
that are applicable for most small housing projects,
that are required for permit application.
Other
brochures that may be of value to you to pick up are:
At
the City of Toronto, South District and North York,
North District offices:
Building Permit Requirements for Housing
Building Permit Requirements for Heating, Ventilation
and Air-Conditioning (H.V.A.C.)
Infill Housing and Neighbourhoods
At the
East York office provides:
Building Permit Requirements
for Housing
Infill Housing and Neighbourhoods
Second Suites: An information guide for homeowners.
The information
sheet, “Building and Sign Permit Fees” lists
separate fees for building an external addition and
interior alterations and renovations. Note: In the
North District office, the information sheet is entitled,
“Building Permit Fees”.
Obtain
and inform yourself of the relevant aspects of the
Ontario Building Code. In addition, get a copy of
“Section 6 _ Residential Districts” which
is an extract of Zoning By-law No. 438-86,
(copies may be had from the City of Toronto,
South District or the library).
You must ensure as to whether your premises
and the existing (or proposed use) will comply with
the Zoning By-law, the Building Code Act or the Ontario
Building Code. Section 6 helps you determine what
qualifications are required.
At this
time, depending on what you are planning to build,
you can pick up at the
District offices (In addition to
the Permit Application
form):
Common Building Code Requirements for Two Units
in Residential Buildings;
A Guide to Building Permits _ Drawing Requirements
for a Residential Addition.
In East
York, they provide:
Your
Guide to Preparing Permit Drawings.
N.B. If
your plans will include plumbing installation, it
is advisable to enquire about getting a Plumbing Permit
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