Finished Basement
A guide to prepare your building permit application.
If you plan to finish or renovate your basement for personal use, you will need a building permit.
If you plan to create a separate dwelling unit, please refer to the Accessory Apartment page for permit requirements.
Project preparation
If you plan to add a bathroom, wet bar, or other plumbing fixture you are required to submit a water service calculation form to verify your water service is adequately sized to handle the additional load or if upgrading is required.
If you plan to add a kitchen in the basement, you are required to submit an affirmation of single dwelling unit.
If you plan to add a basement bedroom, the basement requires an egress window or door.
Additionally, the bedroom requires its own window based on the floor area of the bedroom. If adding a sixth bedroom, you will require a Building Code Part 6 ventilation design.
Heritage properties are managed to conserve important cultural heritage attributes. If your property is on the town's heritage registry it may require heritage approval. Learn more on our Heritage Planning page or contact a town Heritage Planner for assistance at 905-845-6601 ext. 3870 or 3875.
If you are making changes to the building façade for windows or doors you will need heritage approval.
If you plan to add an egress door with walk up stairs, you will need to consult an engineer or BCIN qualified designer for construction drawings and details.
If your project includes excavation and your property backs onto green space, a river bed or wetland you will need Conservation Halton approval.
Learn more on Conservation Halton's website. Contact Conservation Halton for approval at web@hrca.on.ca or 905-336-1158.
- Trees on your property, your neighbor's property and on the municipal right of way may require tree protection, particularly when heavy equipment and excavation is involved. In certain instances, a separate permit may be required to remove private trees. Visit our Licensed Contractors page to find an arborist.
- A separate site alteration permit may be required when digging, excavating or altering the grade. Contact ServiceOakville for more information.
- Digital copies of drawings and documents are required, scaled to size and flattened. If preparing the documentation is beyond your comfort level or experience, we recommend working with a Building Code (BCIN) qualified designer, architect or engineer.
- Contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 before you dig to locate underground utilities and avoid damage during construction.
To add a finished basement to your property you will need a building permit.
Submission material checklist
Prepare the following documents and apply online on our Online Service page.
Select the hyperlinks for example drawings and documents.
- Site plan (required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows, adding walk-up stairs, if applicable to your property or demolition)
- Engineered walk-up stair details (if applicable to your project)
- Heritage approval (if applicable to your property)
- Elevations (required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows, adding walk-up stairs, if applicable to your property or demolition)
- Water sizing form if adding additional plumbing (if applicable to your project)
- Conservation approval (if applicable to your property)
- Floor plans
- Schedule 1 designer qualifications (required when someone other than an architect or engineer is designing the project)
- HVAC design (location of supply outlets and return inlets), Part 6 design (if applicable to your project)
- Fees (payable at time of application)