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Scope of work
- Creating one additional dwelling unit (ADU) within an existing single detached, semi-detached or on-street townhouse (not increasing building footprint).
- The structure will have a total of 2 dwelling units (1 ADU plus 1 host).
Type of permit application
- Residential Accessory Apartment
Submission requirements
The following is a list of documents required to be submitted with your application. Please ensure all your documents, including drawings and forms, are ready in PDF format before starting your online application.
- Survey or site plan of the property showing the following details:
- Location of all required parking spaces
- Indicate the 1.2 m wide unobstructed pedestrian access to the unit, if no interior interconnection
- Overall floor plan of the level where the ADU will be located (e.g. basement) to a recognizable scale. This drawing shall include:
- All room names and room sizes
- Ceiling heights (including under bulkheads and over stairs)
- Window sizes (rough opening, glass area and size of openable portion)
- Wall/ceiling finishes
- Location of all plumbing fixtures (including kitchen layout)
- Location of fire separation between units
- Note: All walls to be indicated with a double line to show wall thickness. Partial floor plans or photos are not accepted.
- Overall floor plan for each other storey of the house to a recognizable scale. These drawings shall include:
- All room names and room sizes
- Window sizes
- Wall/ceiling finishes
- Location of all plumbing fixtures and kitchen layout/cabinets.
- Note: All walls to be indicated with a double line to show wall thickness. Partial floor plans or photos are not accepted.
- Side elevations if adding new doors or windows
- Small Multi Unit Residential Registration form, filled and signed by the registered property owner.
- Schedule 1 form (can be uploaded as a PDF or see fillable form in step 5) – This will be filled out by your BCIN designer or alternatively you can take responsibility for the drawings being the owner of the property without meeting the qualification requirements. If you are taking responsibility as the owner of the property, complete sections A, B, C (description of work) and D with your basis for exemption from qualification and registration requirements being that you are the “owner”.
If proposing exterior stairs, the following additional information is required:
- Location of stairs/landing – Include distances to property line(s) on the survey or site plan and floor plan.
- Exterior stair design – Indicate landings, stairs and thickness of concrete walls. One pour design is not permitted. Foundation walls must have proper footings. Footings must bear on undisturbed soil which would be at the same depth as the house footings.
Building Code requirements
The following tables outline minimum Building Code requirements for room sizes and minimum glass areas for windows serving those rooms.
Reference: Sections 9.5 and 9.7 of the Ontario Building Code.
Individual room dimensions
| Room type | Minimum room size (measured to the inside face of walls) | Minimum window glass area, in houses less than 5 years old | Minimum window glass area, in houses more than 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | 145 square feet | 14.5 square feet | 7.25 square feet |
| Dining room | 75 square feet | 7.5 square feet | 3.75 square feet |
| Kitchen |
|
Windows not required | Windows not required |
| Master bedroom |
|
5 square feet | 2.5 square feet |
| Second bedroom |
|
3.75 square feet | 1.9 square feet |
| Bathroom/utility room | No minimum (bathroom must be functional and usable) | Windows not required | Windows not required |
Combination rooms (open concept primary rooms, not including bathrooms)
| Number of bedrooms in apartment | Room size (minimum, measured to the inside face of walls) | Minimum window glass area serving living/dining room, in houses less than 5 years old | Minimum window glass area serving living/dining room, in houses more than 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two bedrooms |
|
18 square feet | 9 square feet |
| One bedroom |
|
15 square feet | 7.5 square feet |
| Bachelor apartment | Living room plus dining room plus kitchen plus bedroom: 145 square feet | 14.5 square feet | 7.25 square feet |
Ceiling heights
A minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 5 inches is required in an ADU. A minimum of 6 feet 1 inches is permitted under bulkheads within the ADU (e.g. beams and ducts).
Building permit fees
Once your building permit application is deemed complete, you will be notified by email of the applicable fees to be paid. The fees must be paid before your application can be placed in order to be reviewed.
Please visit guelph.ca/building for the current fee schedule.
Inspection requirements
Once the building permit has been issued, construction can begin. The mandatory inspections are identified on the building permit. Please book an inspection through the Guelph Permit and Application System. Please allow 48 hours’ notice for inspections.
An electrical contractor inspection form must be submitted at time of the final building inspection (from a licensed electrical contractor or the Electrical Safety Authority), certifying the additional dwelling unit has been inspected and there are no visible fire or shock hazards associated with the electrical system. This report will be required for both new and existing additional dwelling units and is in addition to any other electrical permits, inspections or certificates that may be required.
Planning your project
If you feel that your project is too complicated to handle yourself, we recommend that you retain the services of a qualified designer to prepare your drawings and specifications.
Some elements or structures may need to be designed by an Architect or Professional Engineer.
All work indicated on your drawings must conform to the Ontario Building Code, City of Guelph Zoning By-law and all other applicable law. If your proposal does not comply with the Zoning By-law, please speak with Planning Services (519-837-5616 or [email protected]) to discuss your options.
For more information
Building Services
519-837-5615
[email protected]