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Spitfire Drive | 02 Unit Conversion

Hamilton

Spitfire Drive | 02 Unit Conversion

Property Type: Existing Single-Family Home (Under 5 Years Old)
Project Type: Legal Basement Conversion | 2-Unit Dwelling

Project Overview:
This basement conversion in Ancaster (Hamilton, ON) is a great example of how newer homes present unique design and compliance challenges under the Ontario Building Code. Because the existing house is less than 5 years old, we could not apply Part 11, which typically allows for reduced requirements in older structures.

As a result, this otherwise straightforward basement conversion became a much more technical project, requiring full compliance with Part 9 of the OBC—including enhanced fire separation, acoustic treatment, larger windows, and stricter minimum ceiling height standards.

Scope & Strategy:

  • Designed a fully self-contained legal basement unit within a recently built home

  • Met modern code requirements typically exempt under Part 11, including:
    • Larger egress windows
    • Full fire-rated and sound-rated ceiling assemblies
    • OBC-compliant minimum ceiling heights throughout

  • Coordinated with city staff to align all code requirements while maintaining efficient layout and design

  • Maintained modern interior quality while balancing the increased construction scope

Challenges Solved:

  • Navigated the stricter demands of a newer home with no code concessions

  • Managed layout changes to accommodate larger windows and service adjustments

  • Balanced high-performance requirements with construction feasibility for the investor

Investor Benefits:

  • Delivered a fully legal second unit in a high-demand Ancaster neighborhood

  • Maximized long-term rental potential with a modern, high-quality basement apartment

  • Avoided future compliance issues by exceeding minimum building code standards

Current Status:
Permit in final review. Anticipated issuance in the coming weeks. Construction to follow.

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