Do you need a permit to finish a basement in Ontario?
Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit, because you're adding walls, insulation, ceilings and usually wiring or plumbing. A separate basement apartment needs more: fire separations, its own exits and a zoning check.
Last verified 2026-10-06What the Building Code checks
- 2.1 m ceilings over at least 75% of the finished area, 1.95 m under beams and ducts.
- An escape window for any bedroom.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, interconnected.
- Insulation to the energy rules and heat and fresh air for each room.
Basements by city
The local rule and fee, linked to each City’s own source.
| City | Rule | Fee | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchener | Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit. | About $0.37 per sq ft (minimum $95), plus a $250 deposit refunded after the final inspection | 2026-10-06 |
| Waterloo | Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit. | $351 flat fee | 2026-10-06 |
| Toronto | Only if the work changes the structure, plumbing or heating, digs or underpins, adds an entrance or creates a second unit. Finishing without any of those doesn't need a permit. | $6.20 per m², minimum $214.79 | 2026-10-07 |
| Ottawa | Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit. | $12.75 per $1,000 of construction value, minimum $117 | 2026-10-07 |
| Mississauga | Yes. Finishing a basement to create rooms or living space needs a building permit. | $5.64 per m², minimum $244 | 2026-10-07 |
| Brampton | Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit. | $326.21 flat fee, plus $133.61 for each new window or exterior door | 2026-10-07 |
| Hamilton | Yes. Finishing or partly finishing a basement needs a building permit. | $4.06 per m², minimum $291 | 2026-10-07 |
| London | Yes. Finishing any part of a basement needs a building permit. | $3.68 per m² of renovated floor, minimum $260.37 | 2026-10-07 |
| Oakville | Yes. Finishing or renovating a basement needs a building permit. | $4.90 per m², minimum $200 | 2026-10-06 |
| Cambridge | Cambridge doesn't name basements, but new walls, changed room uses and plumbing all need a permit, so a typical basement finish does too. | $0.50 per sq ft, minimum $143, plus a $25 zoning review | 2026-10-07 |
| Guelph | Yes. Finishing a basement needs a building permit. | $0.59 per sq ft, minimum $160 | 2026-10-07 |
What you’ll submit
- Existing and proposed floor plans with room names and sizes
- Ceiling heights, beams and ducts
- Window details for bedroom escape
- Insulation and energy information, and heating and ventilation where they change
- The application form and the owner or designer declaration
Common questions
From the guide: Finishing a basement in Ontario
What is the minimum basement ceiling height in Ontario?
2.1 m over at least 75% of the finished area and 1.95 m under beams and ducts. Houses five or more years old can use a 1.95 m alternative.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Ontario?
Yes. Kitchener charges about $0.37 per sq ft (minimum $95) plus a refundable $250 deposit; Waterloo charges a $351 flat fee.
How big does a basement bedroom window need to be?
It has to open to at least 0.35 m² with no side under 380 mm, without tools or special knowledge.
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