Community Development
Building Services Division
50 Dickson Street, 3
rd
Floor
Cambridge, Ontario, N1R 5W8
Telephone: 519-623-1340 ext. 4070
www.cambridge.ca
Last Updated January 12, 2024
Building Permit Requirements for Creating an Additional Residential Unit
A building permit is required to create an additional residential unit within an existing dwelling or
an accessory structure. This guide explains the most common requirements for submitting a
building permit application for an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) and is based on the 2012
Ontario Building Code Part 9 and Part 11 if the dwelling has been in existence for more than 5
years.
When applying for a building permit the following must be submitted:
1. Application Form for a permit to Construct or Demolish (15 business day review period)
2. Permit fees paid for at permit submission, current rates can be found on the Building
Permits page on the City of Cambridge website
A $250 rebate fee (refundable upon final sign-off) is payable in addition to the
building permit fee.
3. Schedule 1: Designer Information form completed by:
A qualified designer, minimum “House” required if creating one additional
residential unit (2 units total), “Small Buildings” required if creating two additional
residential units (3 units total). The designer declaration is required on all
drawings.
The registered homeowner, or
Architect or Engineer (form not required when all drawings are stamped),
4. Site plan or Survey (drawn to scale)
Show the required parking spaces and all dimensions
Show the location of existing/proposed buildings and all setbacks (if applicable)
Show the minimum 3’-0” wide unobstructed pathway from the street to the ARU
entrance, show all obstructions (i.e. window wells, air conditioners, etc.) and their
dimensions.
5. Construction drawings (single line drawings not acceptable, drawn to scale):
Existing floor plans (all floors):
o Window/door sizes & locations, room names, stair location, wall locations
& construction, etc (for all floors).
Proposed floor plans:
o New wall construction, fire separations (new and existing), new windows
and doors, room names, plumbing locations for kitchen, bathrooms &
laundry, ceiling heights (overall, under beams and ducts), egress/exits,
etc.
o Show accessory structure framing, plumbing, heating, etc. (if applicable)
Elevations (applicable if adding egress windows/doors with glazing)
All building permit applications are applied for through our online services website at
https://permits.cambridge.ca/. Account registration is required in order to login and submit an
application.