Secondary Suite Permit Drawings: What the City Requires

The City of Toronto requires a specific set of permit drawings for secondary suite applications: existing and proposed floor plans, building sections showing ceiling heights and window wells, site plans indicating unit location, and detailed egress documentation. Your drawings must demonstrate compliance with the Ontario Building Code for fire separation, ceiling heights, natural light, and means of escape. Missing any of these elements will trigger a revision request and delay your approval by weeks.

The Complete Drawing Package for Secondary Suites

A secondary suite permit submission requires multiple drawing sheets that work together to show the building department exactly what you're building and how it meets code. Unlike a simple interior renovation, secondary suites involve life safety considerations that demand thorough documentation. The City reviews these drawings to verify that future tenants will have safe living conditions, proper emergency exits, and adequate light and ventilation.

Your submission package typically includes five to seven drawing sheets depending on project complexity. Basement apartments generally require more detailed documentation than above-grade suites because they involve window wells, ceiling height challenges, and more complex egress paths. Properties in older Toronto neighbourhoods like the Annex, Leslieville, or High Park often present additional challenges due to existing foundation depths and lot coverage constraints.

Site Plan Requirements

The site plan establishes context for your secondary suite within the property. It must show the lot boundaries, existing building footprint, setbacks from property lines, and the location of the proposed suite within the structure. For basement suites, indicate window well locations and their relationship to side yard setbacks. The site plan should also show parking arrangements, since some areas require one parking space per unit

• Property boundaries with dimensions
• Building footprint showing all structures on lot
• Location of secondary suite within building (highlighted or hatched)
• Window well locations for basement suites
• Setback dimensions from all property lines
• Existing and proposed parking spaces
• North arrow and scale notation

Floor Plans: Existing and Proposed

You need separate floor plans showing existing conditions and proposed changes. The existing plan documents what's there now, while the proposed plan shows the new suite layout with all required rooms and dimensions. Both plans should be drawn at 1:50 scale or larger, with consistent notation throughout.

The proposed floor plan must clearly indicate room uses, door swings, window locations, and all dimensions. Label each room with its function and square footage. The suite must include a kitchen with cooking facilities, a bathroom, and at least one habitable room. Show the separation between the primary dwelling and the secondary suite, including any shared spaces or separate entrances.

• Room dimensions and ceiling heights
• Door locations, swings, and sizes
• Window locations with sizes noted
• Kitchen layout showing sink, stove, and refrigerator locations
• Bathroom fixtures and clearances
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector locations
• Fire separation walls clearly marked
• Exit paths from suite to exterior

Building Sections and Ceiling Height Documentation

Building sections are critical for basement suites because they prove you meet minimum ceiling height requirements. The Ontario Building Code requires a minimum clear height of 1950mm (approximately 6 feet 5 inches) for at least 75% of the floor area in habitable rooms Sections cut through the suite show the relationship between floor level, ceiling height, and any obstructions like beams or ductwork.

Draw at least two sections through the suite, one longitudinal and one cross-section. Show existing grade level, foundation walls, floor slab, ceiling joists, and the floor structure above. If you're underpinning or lowering the basement floor to achieve required heights, the sections must show both existing and proposed conditions with clear dimensions. Include any window wells in section to demonstrate proper emergency egress dimensions.

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The most common reason for secondary suite permit rejections in Toronto is inadequate ceiling height documentation. If your sections don't clearly prove 1950mm clear height, expect a revision request.

Egress and Life Safety Drawings

Every secondary suite needs a safe way out in an emergency, and your drawings must prove this path exists. For basement suites, this typically means either a separate exterior entrance or a window well that meets emergency egress dimensions. The Ontario Building Code specifies minimum opening sizes for egress windows, and your drawings must demonstrate compliance with these requirements.

Detail drawings of window wells should show the well dimensions, ladder or steps if required, window opening size, and the path from window to grade level. If the suite has a separate exterior entrance, show the stair configuration, landing dimensions, and weather protection. For suites accessed through the primary dwelling, indicate the exit path through common areas to the exterior.

• Egress window dimensions and opening area
• Window well depth, width, and length
• Ladder or step details if well exceeds certain depth
• Clear path from sleeping rooms to exit
• Fire separation between suite and exit path
• Emergency lighting locations if required
• Exit signage for shared corridors

Fire Separation Details

Secondary suites require fire separation from the primary dwelling, typically achieved with fire-rated drywall assemblies. Your drawings must include wall section details showing the fire separation construction, including stud size, drywall layers, and any penetrations. The City wants to see how you'll maintain fire separation at electrical boxes, plumbing penetrations, and HVAC ducts.

Include a fire separation schedule or legend that identifies all rated assemblies and their required ratings. Mark these assemblies consistently on floor plans so the building inspector can verify construction matches approved drawings. If you're using an existing wall as part of the fire separation, document its current construction and any upgrades needed to meet code.

Mechanical and Electrical Considerations

While separate mechanical and electrical permits may be required, your architectural drawings should show how these systems integrate with the suite. Indicate HVAC supply and return locations, electrical panel location, and plumbing fixture rough-in positions. The building department reviews these elements to ensure the suite will have adequate heating, ventilation, and electrical service.

For basement suites, show how you'll handle drainage. If fixtures are below the street sewer level, you'll need a sewage ejector pump, and this should appear on your drawings. Heating systems must be capable of maintaining 22°C throughout the suite, and your drawings should indicate how you'll achieve this, whether through extension of existing systems or new dedicated equipment.

Common Drawing Mistakes That Cause Delays

After preparing hundreds of secondary suite submissions across Toronto, PermitsHub has identified the mistakes that most often trigger revision requests. Avoiding these issues upfront can save you weeks of back-and-forth with the building department.

• Missing ceiling height dimensions on sections, especially at beam locations
• Egress windows shown without opening dimensions or well details
• Fire separation walls not clearly identified on plans
• Room labels missing square footage calculations
• Site plan lacking window well locations
• No indication of smoke and CO detector placement
• Insufficient detail on fire-stopping at penetrations
• Scale not noted or drawings not to scale

Take time to review your drawings against the City's submission checklist before filing. A complete initial submission typically receives approval faster than a rushed submission that requires multiple revision cycles. The building department prioritizes complete applications, and incomplete ones go to the back of the queue after each revision request.

Working with Toronto's Submission Process

Toronto accepts secondary suite permit applications through its online portal. Your drawings must be uploaded as PDF files meeting specific formatting requirements, including minimum resolution, sheet size, and file naming conventions. The City publishes detailed submission standards that change periodically, so verify current requirements before preparing final documents

Plan examination timelines vary based on application volume and project complexity. Simple above-grade suites in newer homes may clear review faster than basement suites in century homes requiring underpinning. Budget adequate time for the permit process when planning your project schedule, and don't begin construction until you have the approved permit in hand.