How to Turn Your Basement into a Legal Rental Unit

A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners in Barrie and Surrounding Areas

Converting your basement into a legal rental unit is one of the most practical and financially rewarding upgrades you can make to your home. Whether you're looking to generate rental income, accommodate extended family, or increase your property’s resale value, creating a legal second suite in Barrie or nearby communities like Innisfil, Orillia, and Essa is a smart move—provided it's done properly.

At Ace Contracting, we specialize in legal second suites that meet all local building codes and municipal regulations. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help you understand what’s involved in turning your basement into a safe, compliant, and fully legal rental unit.

Step 1: Understand Local Zoning and Bylaws

Before starting any work, you need to confirm that your property is eligible for a secondary suite. In Barrie and surrounding municipalities, zoning bylaws outline where legal second suites are permitted and under what conditions.

What to check for:

Zoning designation (e.g., R1, R2, R3)
Lot size and frontage requirements
Maximum number of units per property
On-site parking requirements
Regulations about separate entrances

You can contact the City of Barrie’s Building Services department or have a contractor like us handle this step as part of our consultation process.

Step 2: Assess Your Basement’s Suitability

Not every basement is immediately ready for conversion. The space must meet several criteria under the Ontario Building Code and local fire regulations.

Key considerations include:

Minimum ceiling height (typically at least 6 feet 5 inches over 75% of the space)
Adequate natural light and ventilation
Proper-sized egress windows in bedrooms
Feasibility of installing a private entrance
Sound separation between units
Potential need for waterproofing or structural modifications

A thorough site inspection will help determine what modifications are required to bring the space up to code.

Step 3: Develop Plans and Drawings

Once the basement is deemed suitable, the next step is to create detailed architectural drawings. These plans must clearly show the proposed layout and how it will comply with fire safety, structural, and zoning requirements.

Your plans will typically include:

Floor plan with room dimensions
Locations of windows, doors, kitchen, and bathroom
Fire separation and soundproofing details
HVAC, electrical, and plumbing schematics

At Ace Contracting, we work with licensed designers who are familiar with the local standards and can prepare all necessary drawings for submission.

Step 4: Apply for Permits

All work on legal second suites requires building permits. Depending on the scope of your renovation, you may also need separate permits for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work.

Typical permits include:

Building permit
Plumbing permit
HVAC permit
Electrical permit (handled by a licensed electrician through the Electrical Safety Authority)

We handle the entire permit process for you, ensuring your application is complete, accurate, and aligned with local requirements.

Step 5: Begin Construction

With permits in hand, the renovation can begin. The construction phase typically includes:

Framing, insulation, and drywall installation
Electrical and plumbing rough-ins
Flooring, painting, and cabinetry
Installing kitchens, bathrooms, and separate utility systems (if needed)
Meeting all fire separation and egress requirements

Our team of licensed professionals ensures that every part of your project meets both Ontario Building Code and municipal guidelines.

Step 6: Final Inspections and Legal Registration

After construction is complete, city inspectors will conduct final inspections to confirm the unit is code-compliant and safe for occupancy. This includes building, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety inspections.

Once passed, your basement unit can be officially registered as a legal second suite, allowing you to:

Rent it out legally
Insure the unit properly
Avoid liability in the event of an emergency
Improve your home's value for resale

Why Legalization Matters

Many homeowners in Barrie and the surrounding area unknowingly rent out illegal basement apartments, putting themselves at risk for fines, liability issues, and denied insurance claims. A legal second suite gives you peace of mind, legal protection, and long-term financial benefits.

Let Ace Contracting Handle the Process

We specialize in turning underutilized basements into fully legal, fully livable secondary units that meet all requirements in Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia, Angus, and other nearby communities. From initial assessment and design to permits, construction, and final inspection, Ace Contracting manages the entire process so you don’t have to.

Contact us today for a free consultation to find out if your basement qualifies and how we can help you unlock its full potential.