Basement Apartments or Second Units

Second residential units are self-contained residential units with a private kitchen, bathroom facilities and sleeping areas. They may be located within the primary dwelling on the property or within separate structures (e.g., above laneway garages). Second residential units are sometimes referred to as secondary suites, basement apartments, accessory apartments, granny flats, in-law apartments or nanny suites.

Through the Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act, 2011, (Bill 140) the Province amended the Planning Act to require that municipalities allow second residential units in detached, semi-detached and rowhouse units.

Richmond Hill’s Official Plan directs that second residential units may be permitted in ground related dwellings. The regulation of second residential units will be addressed on a City-wide basis in the future Comprehensive Zoning By-law. Until such time that a Comprehensive Zoning By-law is completed, anyone interested in creating a new second residential unit, should contact the Development Planning Division for more information. 

Safety of Second Residential Units 

It’s important to ensure secondary residential units are safe for the people living in the unit as well as those living in the rest of the house. Secondary residential units must meet Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code standards. Landlords are responsible for meeting these standards. If you are concerned that a secondary residential unit does not meet safety requirements you can report your concern to fire@richmondhill.ca.  

Fire Prevention

Learn about Fire Prevention on our Fire and Emergency Services pages.