Additional residential unit conversions

Your drawings must clearly show what is existing and the changes you want to make. Drawings must be to scale and should use metric measurements.

When converting existing space into a second, third or fourth unit, such as a basement apartment, you’ll need to submit the following drawings and documents. We may request additional information when your application is reviewed.

The site plan must include:

  • Scale (metric only)
  • Direction (north arrow)
  • Municipal address
  • Legal description (lot and plan numbers)
  • Existing buildings and accessory structures labelled “existing”
  • Dimensioned property lines
  • Overall building dimensions
  • Rights-of-way and easements
  • Landscaped areas and hard surfaces such as driveways and walkways

Site statistics

  • Lot area
  • Lot frontage
  • Lot coverage (metres squared and percent)
  • Gross floor area (total and per floor)
  • Area of second unit

Driveway and walkways

  • Driveway width
  • Driveway surface treatment
  • Dimension of any walkway attachment width to driveway

The floor plan must include:

  • Direction (north arrow)
  • Title and scale
  • Use and size of rooms and spaces
  • Interior and exterior dimensions, including door and window sizes
  • Legend indicating which existing walls are to remain or be demolished and which are proposed
  • Structural framing indicating the size, type, grade, spacing, direction of span and location of all structural members (studs, joists, beams, columns, posts and lintels)
  • Location of required smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Location of existing and proposed plumbing fixtures, labelled accordingly
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning supply and return grilles, if maintaining the existing system
  • Cross-section details

Elevations are required for each side of the project. They must include:

  • Title and scale
  • Grade level
  • Existing and proposed work
  • Finished floor levels
  • Exterior wall cladding, finishes and flashing
  • Sizes and location of windows and doors
  • Roof overhang and dimensions
  • Roof shape, slope and finish
  • Rainwater leaders and eavestroughs
  • Percentage of glazed areas relative to exposed building face calculations

Sample drawings and resources

Contact us

For more information about required documents, call 311 (905‑615‑4311 outside City limits).