Legal Basement Apartment Builder in Richmond Hill, ON
Code-Compliant Suites Across Oak Ridges, Mill Pond, and Bayview Hill
Richmond Hill now permits up to three additional residential units per lot — we design and build legal basement apartments that meet the City’s current zoning and code requirements.
Legal Basement Apartments in Richmond Hill
As a basement finishing contractor working across Richmond Hill, we confirm your property’s flood designation and zoning eligibility before proposing any design, then manage the full permit process. Richmond Hill significantly expanded its rules under Zoning By-law 143-24, opening real opportunity across neighbourhoods like Mill Pond, Bayview Hill, and Jefferson — with one key exception we always check first: basement or cellar units aren’t permitted on floodplain-designated properties. See our Legal Basement Apartments & Basement Finishing page for our full process.
Why Richmond Hill Homeowners Choose Modinno
Richmond Hill’s rules are more permissive than they were even a couple of years ago, but the floodplain exclusion and parking requirements still need to be confirmed precisely. Homeowners choose us because we check both before any design begins.
Floodplain and eligibility screening
We confirm your property’s flood designation and zoning eligibility as the very first step of every project.
Full code and electrical compliance
Egress windows, fire separation, and the required separate ESA electrical permit all managed as part of the build.
One accountable team
Assessment, permits, and construction under a single contract, with no gaps between design and build.
Realistic timelines and budgets
Clear cost and schedule expectations set at the feasibility stage, before any construction commitment is made.
How We Handle Permits & Zoning in Richmond Hill
We check your property’s flood designation before anything else, since Richmond Hill does not permit a basement or cellar unit on floodplain-designated land regardless of other zoning eligibility. Where your property clears that check, we confirm eligibility under Zoning By-law 143-24 — generally up to three additional residential units per lot — and manage the building permit alongside the separate electrical permit the Electrical Safety Authority requires. Because the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law has also been subject to an ongoing Ontario Land Tribunal review, we confirm the current applicable rules for your specific property before finalizing any design.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many additional units can I add to my Richmond Hill property?
We confirm this for your specific lot — most properties in single-family zones can accommodate up to three additional residential units alongside the main home, subject to lot size, parking, and servicing requirements.
Can I build a basement apartment if my property is in a floodplain?
No, and we check flood designation as a first step for every project — Richmond Hill does not permit an additional dwelling unit within a basement or cellar on floodplain-designated land, regardless of other zoning eligibility.
Do I need a separate electrical permit for a basement apartment in Richmond Hill?
Yes, and we manage this alongside your building permit — a separate electrical permit from the Electrical Safety Authority is required for the electrical work associated with an additional residential unit.
How long does a legal basement apartment project take in Richmond Hill?
Most of our projects take roughly 3 to 6 months from permit submission through final inspection, depending on existing conditions and scope of work.
Turn Your Richmond Hill Basement Into a Legal, Income-Ready Suite.
Code-compliant, properly permitted, and built by one accountable team.