Legal Basement Apartments in Richmond Hill, Built as a Fully Permitted ARU
Richmond Hill's zoning rules are mid-overhaul and under appeal right now. We track the status in real time and design your ARU against the rules that actually apply, not a guide written a year ago.
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Richmond Hill calls a legal basement apartment an Additional Residential Unit, or ARU, and the City is mid-overhaul of the zoning rules that govern them. Council passed a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law in September 2025, and it remains under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal, with hearings continuing into mid-2026.
That makes this the wrong time to rely on a generic guide written a year ago. We've built ARUs across Richmond Hill, from Oak Ridges to Mill Pond to Bayview Hill, and we track the zoning status in real time rather than guessing.
Legal basement & ARU services in Richmond Hill
Basement apartment or detached coach house, drawings through final sign-off, all under one roof.
ARU eligibility review
We confirm whether your lot supports an ARU inside the main house or as a separate building, and check ceiling height, generally around 1.95 metres.
Right permit, first time
We identify whether you need an Interior Alterations Permit or a Secondary Unit Permit, plus the separate ESA electrical permit, so the application doesn't get bounced back.
Basement apartment build
A self-contained ARU inside your home, built to code with proper egress, fire separation, and interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Detached coach house
Prefer a separate structure? We build detached ARUs, such as a unit above a garage, when your lot supports it.
Basement renovations
Not renting yet? We build non-rental space under the Interior Alterations Permit path, to code, so it converts cleanly to a registered ARU later.
Basement finishing
Flooring, drywall, lighting, and bathroom or kitchen finishes that match the rest of your Richmond Hill home.
What a permit-ready Richmond Hill ARU needs
A building permit is required for the unit itself, and a separate Electrical Safety Authority permit covers the added load. Here's what has to be in place.
The distinction that causes delays: an Interior Alterations Permit covers a non-rental renovation, while a Secondary Unit Permit is required for an actual rentable ARU. We pick the right one at the application stage.
- Correct permit typeA Secondary Unit Permit for a rentable ARU, or an Interior Alterations Permit for a non-rental basement renovation.
- Separate ESA electrical permitRequired through the Electrical Safety Authority for the added electrical load, on top of the City's building permit.
- Minimum ceiling heightGenerally around 1.95 metres (6′5″); lower ceilings may need an underpinning permit before interior work starts.
- Egress window in every bedroomCode-sized openings so the unit has a safe emergency exit.
- Fire separationRated separation between the ARU and the main dwelling, built into the drawings from the start.
- Interconnected smoke & CO alarmsRequired throughout, whether the ARU is a basement unit or a detached coach house.
From your address to a legal ARU
Five steps, in order. We handle the parts that trip homeowners up.
Confirm zoning eligibility with the Building Division, given the zoning by-law currently under appeal.
Submit drawings with a Secondary Unit Permit application.
Electrical Safety Authority inspection for the added load.
Construction proceeds with staged inspections.
Final building inspection and occupancy approval.
Benefits of a legal ARU
- Flexibility to choose a basement apartment or a detached garden suite based on what your lot supports.
- Rental income or in-law housing without an addition to the main house.
- Protected insurance coverage once the ARU is permitted and inspected.
- Added resale value in a fast-growing York Region market.
Why homeowners choose My Legal Basement
We follow Richmond Hill's zoning by-law appeal status as it develops, so your project gets designed against current rules rather than rules that might change mid-build. Whether your ARU is a basement unit or a detached coach house, our drawings, permits, and construction crew handle it under one roof.
Richmond Hill ARU FAQs
What does ARU mean in Richmond Hill?
Can I build a garden suite instead of a basement apartment?
Is Richmond Hill's zoning by-law currently changing?
Do I need a separate electrical permit?
What's the difference between an Interior Alterations Permit and a Secondary Unit Permit?
What's the minimum ceiling height for an ARU?
Confirm where your property stands
Richmond Hill's zoning rules are in motion right now. Book a free assessment and we'll confirm exactly where your property stands before you commit to a design.