Legal Basement Apartments York Region

Legal Basement Apartments in Newmarket & York Region

A legal basement apartment can house family, help with the mortgage, or add long-term value. It also has to be safe and done properly. BDF Renovation and Construction Inc. builds basement apartments to code, with permits handled when they're needed. Our team brings 15 years of renovation experience in Toronto and across Canada.

What "legal" means in Ontario

Ontario allows additional residential units in many houses, but each unit has to meet the rules. In general, a legal second unit:

is allowed by your municipality's zoning for your property
is built under a building permit and passes inspections under the Ontario Building Code
has proper fire separation, safe exits, and interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
has electrical work inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
is registered with the municipality where required (for example Newmarket, Aurora and Richmond Hill)

Official guidance: Ontario: Add a second unit in your house. For the full overview, read our guide Legal basement apartment in Ontario: rules and permits.

What we do

Free on-site feasibility look: ceiling heights, windows and exits, layout, moisture, mechanical
Coordination of drawings and the building permit application when needed
Framing, insulation, fire-rated assemblies and drywall
Kitchen and bathroom for the unit (see kitchen and bathroom renovation)
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC work through our licensed partner contractors
Flooring, trim, doors and painting
Scheduling inspections and walking you through registration paperwork

An honest note on approvals

Every property is different. Zoning, the house type, parking and the existing structure all matter, and the municipality makes the final decision. We'll never promise "guaranteed approval". We'll tell you what we see at the estimate and build to the approved plans.

Warranty

Work we perform comes with a 1-year warranty. Damage caused after handover (for example by misuse or accidents) isn't covered. This warranty is in addition to your rights under Ontario law.

Basement apartments near you

See all the areas we serve.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a basement apartment legal in Ontario?

A legal second unit has to be permitted by your municipality's zoning, built under a building permit to the Ontario Building Code, pass inspections, and meet Fire Code and electrical safety requirements. Several York Region municipalities, including Newmarket, Aurora and Richmond Hill, also require the unit to be registered.

Do you handle the building permit?

Yes. We handle permits when they're needed, including coordinating drawings and inspections. Approval decisions are made by the municipality, so no contractor can guarantee approval.

Can every basement become a legal apartment?

Not always. Ceiling height, exits and windows, the age and type of house, zoning and parking can all affect what's possible. We look at these at the free on-site estimate and tell you honestly what we see.

Do you register the unit with the town?

Registration is the property owner's application, but we help you gather what's usually needed, such as the final inspection report and electrical safety documents, so you're ready to apply.

Is the electrical work done by a licensed contractor?

Yes. Electrical work is completed through our licensed partner contractor, and an Electrical Safety Authority permit and inspection are part of the process.