Legal Basement Apartment East Gwillimbury, York Region

Planning comes first

The Town's accessory apartment process starts with Planning, which reviews things like parking and sewer capacity. Then comes a zoning check and a building permit, and accessory apartment applications also go to the Fire Department for review.

New-build homes count differently

Under the Ontario Building Code, a house less than about five years old is generally treated like new construction when a second unit is added. With so many new homes in Queensville, Sharon and Holland Landing, that often applies here and changes what the unit must include.

Rural lots and septic

About three quarters of East Gwillimbury's land is protected Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine, and some properties rely on private septic systems. A second kitchen and bathroom add load, so we check that question at the first visit.

Sources: Town of East Gwillimbury: Building permits · Town of East Gwillimbury: Accessory apartments · Ontario: Add a second unit in your house. General information, checked October 2026; confirm with the municipality before you start.

Questions from East Gwillimbury homeowners

What's the approval process for an accessory apartment in East Gwillimbury?

Planning review (parking and sewer capacity), a zoning check, a building permit, and a Fire Department review.

My house is only three years old. Does that matter?

Yes. Under the Ontario Building Code a house less than about five years old is generally treated like new construction when a second unit is added.

What warranty do you give?

Work we perform comes with a 1-year warranty, in addition to your rights under Ontario law.

Also in East Gwillimbury: Basement Finishing in East Gwillimbury · Bathroom Renovation in East Gwillimbury. Legal Basement Apartment elsewhere: Newmarket · Aurora · Richmond Hill. More: Legal Basement Apartment · East Gwillimbury area guide · Our work · FAQ.

Legal Accessory Apartments in East Gwillimbury