[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-663484-105":3,"doc-detail-663484-en":85,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":101},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":78,"head_meta":80,"extra_data":82,"updated_unix":84},105,"en","building-guide-finishing-basement","Building Guide - Finishing Basement","","Building Guide - Finishing Basement provides homeowners and contractors with guidance on obtaining the required building permit to finish a basement in a residential dwelling. It covers permit-related requirements and online submission workflow, including document checklist items such as drawings, HVAC, plumbing details, and required alarm placements. The guide explains when a Septic Change of Use Application must be submitted, basement egress window rules, and inspection scheduling responsibilities after permit issuance. It also includes relevant measurement and window-opening dimension references, plus fee and by-law notice limitations.",{"@graph":14,"@context":77},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/","Healthcare",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/building-guide-finishing-basement/663484/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/building-guide-finishing-basement/663484.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"The UK Girl","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-10-28",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",5,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69,73],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"Do I need a permit to finish my basement?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"Yes. A permit is required for homeowners and/or contractors planning to finish basement space in a residential dwelling.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"When is a Septic Change of Use Application required?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"You need to submit a Septic Change of Use Application if the project may reduce the septic system performance. Examples include increasing the number of bedrooms, adding more than 15% to the original finished area when the septic system was installed, or adding new plumbing fixtures such as a new bathroom.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What are the egress window requirements for a basement?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"An egress window is required unless there is a door directly to the exterior (walkout basement). The minimum size is 0.35 m² (3.8 ft²) and no dimension can be less than 380 mm (15 in).",{"name":74,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":75},"What documents are typically required in the permit submission checklist?",{"text":76,"@type":64},"The checklist includes a completed Building Permit Application and, if applicable, septic-related applications. It also requires supporting documents such as permit drawings showing materials and dimensions, cross-sections, HVAC details, plumbing rough-in and fixtures, and access panels for cleanouts/shutoffs.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":79,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":81,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":83,"site_id":7},663484,1793228472,{"code":4,"msg":86,"data":87},"success",{"doc_id":83,"user_id":88,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":89,"doc_module":4,"category_id":90,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":91,"file_id":92,"file_url":93,"file_type":94,"file_size":95,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":90,"language":96,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":97,"faqs":98,"seo_title":99,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":84,"read_time":100},2199028711991,"https://us-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_994ba38a5ba835b3df7d355c54d3ed8d",7,"| \u003Cbr>|  |  |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n|  | Building Guide – Finishing Basement |  |\n| Phone: 705-728-4784 EXT 2017\u003Cbr>[Email:](Email: building@springwater.ca)[ ](Email: building@springwater.ca)[building@springwater.ca](Email: building@springwater.ca)\u003Cbr>[Email:](Email: zoning@springwater.ca)[ zoning@springwater.ca](Email: zoning@springwater.ca)\u003Cbr>[Last Updated: February 26](Last Updated: February 26), 2026 |  |  |\n\n\n|  |  |\n| --- | --- |\n| \u003Cbr>General Information:\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Do I need a permit to finish my basement?  |  |\n| Yes, a permit is required! This guide is provided for homeowners and/or contractors planning to finish a basement space in a residential dwelling. Basement apartmentsand other similar secondary suites are not addressed in this guide.\u003Cbr>Do I need to submit a Septic Change of Use Application with my Building Permit Application?\u003Cbr>If your project may reduce the performance level of the septic system that supports the dwelling you will need to submit a Septic Change of Use Application , The performance level of an existing dwelling unit may be reduced where proposed construction that,\u003Cbr>a) Increase the number of bedrooms in your home.\u003Cbr>b) The planned addition is more than 15% of the original finished area of your home when the septic system was installed.\u003Cbr>c) Adding new plumbing fixtures to your home (e.g. , a new bathroom) .\u003Cbr>Adding a bedroom.\u003Cbr>An egress window will be required on the basement floor level unless there is a door directly to the exterior (walkout basement) . The minimum size of an egress window is 0.35 m2 (3 .8 ft2 ) with no dimension less than 380 mm (15 in) . |  |\n| \u003Cbr>(15”)\u003Cbr>(36”)\u003Cbr>(23 5/16”)\u003Cbr>(23 5/16”) | |\n| A-[9.9.10.1](9.9.10.1).(1) Window Opening Dimensions A-[9.9.10.1](9.9.10.1).(3) Open into a Window Well |  |\n\n\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| \u003Cbr>Online Submissions: |  |  |  |  |\n| |  | All permit applications are to be submitted online via our Web Portal. Before you begin, please ensure that all required documents are complete and signed (as applicable) . Scan each document separately and give it a recognizable file name and save it to your computer. For further assistance please see our Digital Permit Submission Guide. |  |  |\n| \u003Cbr>Permit Issuance: |  |  |  |  |\n| | Once the permit has been completely reviewed by all internal and external agencies the applicant will be contacted via email and informed of any action required for the permit to be issued. Permit fees are payable upon issuance. |  |  |  |\n| Building permit fees are determined by an established cost per square foot, and/or by established flat fees as detailed in the Township of Springwater\u003Cbr> Fees and Charges By-law. |  |  |  |  |\n| \u003Cbr>Scheduling Inspections:\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>After the permit has been issued it is the responsibility of the applicant to\u003Cbr>|  |  |  |  |\n| schedule inspections throughout the completion of the work. The required inspection(s) will be outlined on the permit card provided atthe time of issuance. |  |  | |  |\n| Please note although every attempt has been made to provide accurate information throughout this guide, it is subject to change without notice and is provided as a guide only. It is not intended to be used instead of the current Municipal By-laws or the\u003Cbr>current Ontario Building Code |  |  |  |  |\n\n\n| \u003Cbr>Permit Submission Checklist: |  |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1. Completed Building Permit Application:\u003Cbr>􀀀 Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish & Schedule 1 : Designer information | |\n| 􀀀 Septic Change of Use Application (if applicable)\u003Cbr>􀀀 Septic Permit Application (if applicable)\u003Cbr>2. Required Supporting Documents:\u003Cbr>􀀀 Permit Drawings showing all materials & dimensions including:\u003Cbr>o Floor Plan(s); existing basement layout & proposed basement layout\u003Cbr>▪ All rooms and spaces labelled\u003Cbr>▪ Door and window sizes\u003Cbr>▪ Dimensions and areas\u003Cbr>▪ Finished ceiling height and clear height under beams, ducts, and bulkheads\u003Cbr>▪ Load bearing walls, beams, an","cbCaioaCrNlESnsx","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaioaCrNlESnsx","pdf",4986281,"English","# General Information\n# Online Submissions\n# Permit Issuance\n# Scheduling Inspections\n# Permit Submission Checklist\n# Notes and Requirements","[{\"question\":\"Do I need a permit to finish my basement?\",\"answer\":\"Yes. A permit is required for homeowners and/or contractors planning to finish basement space in a residential dwelling.\"},{\"question\":\"When is a Septic Change of Use Application required?\",\"answer\":\"You need to submit a Septic Change of Use Application if the project may reduce the septic system performance. Examples include increasing the number of bedrooms, adding more than 15% to the original finished area when the septic system was installed, or adding new plumbing fixtures such as a new bathroom.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the egress window requirements for a basement?\",\"answer\":\"An egress window is required unless there is a door directly to the exterior (walkout basement). The minimum size is 0.35 m² (3.8 ft²) and no dimension can be less than 380 mm (15 in).\"},{\"question\":\"What documents are typically required in the permit submission checklist?\",\"answer\":\"The checklist includes a completed Building Permit Application and, if applicable, septic-related applications. 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