In Toronto, you need a building permit for any basement renovation that involves structural changes, new plumbing, new electrical panels, or creating a second unit. A “basic finish” (framing existing space, drywall, pot lights on existing circuits) may not. Here’s exactly where the line falls.

What requires a permit under City of Toronto rules

• Creating a second suite (rental unit) — always requires permit + site plan
• Adding a bathroom — requires plumbing permit from City of Toronto
• New or relocated electrical panel — ESA permit required (separate from building permit)
• Cutting a new exterior door opening — structural permit always required
• Underpinning — structural engineer + building permit mandatory
• Egress window enlargement — building permit
• Moving load-bearing walls — structural permit

What typically does not require a permit

• Finishing an open basement with non-structural framing
• Replacing flooring, installing LVP or carpet
• Adding pot lights to an existing electrical circuit
• Painting, trim, closets
• Non-structural partition walls for a rec room

How long does a Toronto basement permit take in 2026?

City of Toronto 2026 permit timelines for residential basements:

• Simple renovation (no new suite): 4–8 weeks
• New second suite: 8–14 weeks
• Second suite with structural work: 12–18 weeks

CNB files permit applications as soon as drawings are complete. We never hold back a permit application to inflate project timelines.

What does a Toronto basement permit cost?

City of Toronto building permit fees are calculated as a percentage of estimated construction value. For a typical $80,000 basement renovation, expect $1,800–3,200 in permit fees. On top of this: drawings from a BCIN designer or architect ($2,500–5,000) and any structural stamps ($1,500–3,000). Total permit-and-drawings budget: $5,000–8,000 for a full legal suite.

What happens if you don’t pull a permit?

Common outcomes: work ordered removed by city inspector (if neighbor complains), insurance denial if a fire or flood originates in the unpermitted space, requirement to disclose at sale (reducing offer prices), and lender refusal to include rental income in mortgage calculations. The city has also increased its proactive inspection program since 2024 — unpermitted basement suites now receive active bylaw enforcement in most Toronto wards.

CNB handles the permit

Every CNB renovation that requires a permit is filed by us. You don’t make calls to the city, you don’t coordinate inspectors, you don’t chase drawings. We track the application and book all required inspections. Call (437) 217-5519 to start with a free walkthrough.

A separate entrance basement conversion in Toronto runs $18,000–$45,000 depending on excavation scope. CNB has completed 43 separate entrance projects across the GTA since 2015 — here’s what you actually need to know before calling anyone.

What counts as a separate entrance?

Toronto Building Code defines a separate entrance as an independent access point to a basement unit that does not pass through the main dwelling. Three configurations qualify:

• Side-door entrance — door cut through the foundation wall, typically 36″ wide, with exterior stairs. Most common in semi-detached and detached homes. Cost: $18,000–$28,000.
• Walkout basement — rear yard grade slopes away from the house, allowing a door at grade level with no stairs. Requires excavation if grade is level. Cost: $12,000–$22,000.
• Walk-up (stairwell) — concrete stairwell dug into the front or side yard with a door at the bottom. Common in older Toronto stock. Cost: $22,000–$45,000 due to excavation volume.

Toronto permit requirements for a separate entrance

Every separate entrance in Toronto requires a building permit. No exceptions. Here’s the full list of what the City of Toronto Building Division requires:

Requirement	Who provides it	Typical cost
Building permit application	Contractor or designer	$1,200–$2,800
Architectural drawings (BCIN-stamped)	Designer or architect	$1,500–$3,000
Structural engineer letter (if lintel required)	P.Eng	$600–$1,200
Zoning confirmation (legal suite)	Zoning desk, no cost	$0
Fire separation inspection	City inspector	Included in permit

CNB handles permit applications on every project. We have a BCIN-registered designer on staff and a structural engineer we’ve worked with for 9 years.

Real project breakdown: side-door entrance, Etobicoke 2025

Client: semi-detached on Islington Ave, 1948 build, poured concrete foundation. Goal: legal second suite rental.

• Core drill + door frame rough-in: $3,400
• Foundation waterproofing (exterior membrane + weeping tile, 8 linear ft): $4,200
• Structural lintel (engineered beam over opening): $1,800
• Exterior stairs (concrete, 4 risers with landing): $6,500
• Wrought iron railings (code-required): $1,400
• Interior door frame + pre-hung steel door: $1,100
• Permit + BCIN drawings: $3,200
• Total: $21,600

Monthly rent for the unit: $1,850. Payback period: under 12 months.

What can go wrong (and how we prevent it)

Three failure modes we see on competitor jobs:

• No waterproofing on the cut. Cutting a foundation wall without exterior membrane and weeping tile creates a guaranteed leak point within 2–3 winters. We always waterproof the full opening perimeter from outside.
• Undersized lintel. The beam over the door opening must be engineered for the load above. We get a P.Eng letter on every project — this is also a permit requirement.
• Non-compliant egress window in unit. If the basement unit has bedrooms, every bedroom needs a code-compliant egress window (minimum clear opening 3.8 sq ft, sill max 1.0m from floor). Separate entrance doesn’t replace egress window requirements.

How long does a separate entrance take?

Typical timeline from signed contract to City inspection pass:

• Permit processing: 3–6 weeks (Toronto Building Division current queue)
• Active construction: 5–8 business days
• Inspection booking: 3–5 business days after framing
• Total project: 6–10 weeks start to key handover

Frequently asked questions

Can I add a separate entrance without making the basement a legal suite?
Yes — you can permit a separate entrance as an “accessory use” without registering the unit as a second suite. But if you rent it, the City considers it a second unit and you need the full suite compliance anyway.

Does my detached garage count toward the separate entrance setback?
Setback rules apply to the main structure. A separate entrance stairwell is considered part of the house and uses house setbacks, not accessory structure setbacks. Check your lot’s specific zoning — some lots near ravines have tighter restrictions.

Can CNB do the whole basement — separate entrance plus full finishing?
Yes, and it’s cheaper this way. Combining the entrance with basement finishing lets us rough-in plumbing, electrical, and framing in a single mobilization. We quote both together and the savings are usually $4,000–$8,000 vs. doing them separately.

Call CNB at (437) 217-5519 or fill out our quote form — we’ll book a free walkthrough within 48 hours and give you a written number, not an estimate range.