Legal Basement Apartments in Halton Hills, Built and Registered Under the Town's ARU Bylaw
Halton Hills enforces ARU registration with fines up to $50,000. We build to register cleanly the first time, across both Georgetown and Acton, with the paperwork handled as part of the project.
Book your free assessment
Tell us about your property and we'll confirm your zoning and size limits.
No obligation. We'll only use your details to prepare your assessment.
Halton Hills, covering both Georgetown and Acton, expanded its ARU rules in December 2024 to allow up to three units on most urban residential lots, one more than the previous policy permitted.
Every accessory unit still has to be registered with the Town under By-law 2023-0060, and unregistered units face fines that can run as high as $50,000. We've built ARUs across both Georgetown and Acton, and the registration paperwork is part of every project, not an afterthought.
Legal basement & ARU services in Halton Hills
The same registration standard across Georgetown and Acton, from drawings to the Town's public registry.
Servicing & eligibility check
We confirm whether your property is within the urban boundary and on municipal water and sewer, which determines the ARU rules, and check the unit fits the Town's size cap.
Permits & registration
We prepare the building permit, and after sign-off we handle the By-law 2023-0060 registration so the unit lands on the Town's public ARU registry.
Apartment construction
Built to code with proper egress, fire separation, and alarms, plus the additional parking space and 1.2-metre clear path to a side or rear entrance.
Multi-unit planning
The December 2024 amendment allows up to three units on most urban lots. We plan the layout so size caps and servicing all line up.
Basement renovations
Non-rental renovations for family rooms or in-law space, built to code so a future ARU conversion is straightforward.
Basement finishing
Flooring, drywall, lighting, and bathroom or kitchen finishes for both Georgetown and Acton homes.
What a permit-ready Halton Hills ARU needs
A building permit is required, and the unit must comply with Zoning By-law 2010-0050 as amended by OPA 58, plus the Building and Fire Codes. Here's what has to be in place.
The rule with teeth: unregistered units face fines up to $50,000. We submit the By-law 2023-0060 registration as part of the project, so occupancy is never the problem.
- Building permit & zoning complianceCompliant with Zoning By-law 2010-0050 as amended by OPA 58, plus the Ontario Building and Fire Codes.
- Within the urban service boundaryOn municipal water and sewer, which determines which ARU rules apply to the property.
- Size within the capThe lesser of 40 percent of the home's floor area or 110 square metres.
- One additional parking spaceBeyond what the main house already requires.
- 1.2-metre clear path to the entranceRequired where the unit's entrance sits in the side or rear yard.
- ARU registration under By-law 2023-0060Submitted to Building Services and listed on the Town's public ARU registry.
From your lot to the Town's ARU registry
Seven steps, in order. We handle the parts that trip homeowners up.
Confirm zoning eligibility under By-law 2010-0050 as amended by OPA 58.
Submit a building permit application with drawings.
Construction proceeds with staged inspections.
Electrical Safety Authority sign-off.
Final building inspection and occupancy approval.
ARU registration application submitted to Building Services.
Unit listed on the Town's public ARU registry.
Benefits of a registered ARU
- Rental income across two of Halton's most established communities.
- Documented compliance that protects you from the Town's enforcement penalties.
- Flexible in-law or multigenerational housing options.
- Added resale value with a registered, inspectable unit.
Why homeowners choose My Legal Basement
We build to the same registration standard whether the project is in Georgetown or Acton, and we handle the By-law 2023-0060 registration submission as part of the project, not as a separate task you're left to manage after move-in.
Halton Hills ARU FAQs
What's the maximum size for an ARU in Halton Hills?
How many units can I have on a Halton Hills property?
What happens if I don't register my ARU?
Does this apply to both Georgetown and Acton?
Where can I check if a unit is already registered?
Do I need extra parking for an ARU?
Built to register cleanly the first time
Halton Hills enforces its ARU registration rule with real fines attached. Book a free assessment and we'll make sure your Georgetown or Acton project is built to register cleanly the first time.