Spitfire Drive | 02 Unit Conversion
Hamilton

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 throughoutCoordinated 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.