Making a Clarington second unit legal
Ontario's planning rules now allow more than one unit on most serviced urban lots, and Clarington's zoning reportedly permits a second unit inside a house in its serviced areas, subject to a building permit and to fire separation, egress, ceiling height and parking rules, and to registration with the municipality. A suite that was finished without permits can sometimes be brought into compliance, but the cost can include new windows, a rated ceiling, linked smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and electrical work. Have the seller produce the permit, the final inspection and the registration; if none exist, treat the unit as unfinished space when you set your price. Insurance, mortgage lenders and Ontario's tenancy law all care about legality. On rural lots, a suite must fit the septic design and may face Greenbelt or moraine limits, so confirm with the municipality first.