Toronto Basement Apartment Permit Cost — 2026 Guide

If you're pricing out a legal basement apartment in Toronto, the number you'll usually see quoted is the full construction cost — $75,000 to $120,000 including underpinning, kitchen, bathroom, and electrical. But the part you need before any of that construction can legally start — permit drawings and the permit application — is a much smaller number.

Our packages start at $2,000 for drawings and permit filing. This is our fee for design and permit filing; the municipality's own permit fee is separate and billed directly to you by the city. That covers a standard basement layout. It goes up if your project needs a structural engineer (removing a load-bearing wall, underpinning), a separate mechanical/HVAC system for the suite, or your lot needs a minor variance.

Some GTHA municipalities also run a second-unit registration program, separate from the building permit — worth checking with the City of Toronto before you start, since it affects timeline and what's required.

Book a free assessment and we'll tell you exactly what your Toronto basement needs and what it will cost — (647) 667-1270.