Legal Basement Apartment Scarborough: 2026 Cost & Process Guide
Legal basement apartments in Scarborough cost $85,000 – $300,000+ depending on whether underpinning and a separate exterior entrance are required. Compliance is mandatory across three regimes: zoning, Ontario Building Code Part 9, and Ontario Fire Code Section 9.8. Done right, a one-bedroom legal suite generates $1,800 – $2,400/month rent and adds $180,000 – $240,000 to resale value. Country Renovations works across Scarborough including Birchcliffe-Cliffside, The Bluffs, Agincourt, West Hill, Rouge, Cliffcrest, Guildwood, Wexford — with City of Toronto (Scarborough community council) permit experience and the HCRA + Tarion compliance stack required for new builds and substantial additions.
Why Country Renovations. Building across Toronto and the GTA — including Scarborough — since 2014. HCRA-registered, Tarion-enrolled for qualifying projects, WSIB-cleared, $5M general liability insured. Free written fixed-price quote in 5 business days. Book a free site visit →
Key Takeaways for Scarborough Homeowners
- Entry / Good tier: $80,750 – $121,125
- Mid-range tier: $121,125 – $163,875
- Premium tier: $199,500 – $285,000+
- City of Toronto (Scarborough community council) plan review: 10 business days service standard for residential permits
- Scarborough market tier: mid-range
Legal Basement Apartment Services in Scarborough
- Zoning compliance check (lot size, setbacks, parking)
- Ontario Building Code Part 9 — ceiling height (1.95 m), egress windows, fire separation (30-min)
- Ontario Fire Code Section 9.8 — interconnected smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire-rated doors
- Sound separation STC 50 between units
- Separate exterior entrance with engineered stairwell
- Underpinning to gain ceiling height ($400 – $700/sq ft)
- Multi-Tenant House Registration with municipality
- Annual fire inspection (where required by municipality)
Scarborough Permit & Process Reality
Scarborough’s mid-century housing stock (1960s–80s detached and semi-detached) typically has adequate ceiling height for finished basements without underpinning.
Legal basement apartment permits in Scarborough require building permit + plumbing/electrical permits + ESA notification + fire safety plan + second-suite registration with the municipality.
For second-suite specifics: as part of Toronto, second suites are subject to Toronto’s Multi-Tenant House and Second Suite Registry — as-of-right in detached, semi, and townhouse dwellings. Country Renovations pulls all permits on your behalf — including stamped drawings, structural engineering letters where required, and the AST or municipal portal submission.
Scarborough Legal Basement Apartment Cost Table (2026 CAD)
| Tier | Total Cost (CAD 2026) | Scarborough Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Good / Entry | $80,750 – $121,125 | Code-minimum scope; standard materials |
| Better / Mid-Range | $121,125 – $163,875 | Full scope, mid-range materials, common in Scarborough |
| Best / Premium | $199,500 – $285,000+ | Custom finishes, structural changes where applicable |
The Country Renovations Process in Scarborough
- Free Site Visit (Day 1). Measure space, assess existing conditions, discuss scope at no charge.
- Written Fixed-Price Quote (within 5 business days). Line-itemed proposal — materials, labour, permits, contingency, timeline.
- Design & Selections. Floor plans, finish selections, 3D renderings for premium projects.
- Permits & Engineering. City of Toronto (Scarborough community council) permit submission, structural engineering if required, ESA filing, TSSA for gas.
- Build. Daily check-ins with your project manager. Single accountable point of contact throughout.
- Final Inspection & Handover. Building inspection, ESA pass certificate, complete site clean.
Frequently Asked Questions — Legal Basement Apartment Scarborough
How much does a legal basement apartment cost in Scarborough in 2026?
A code-minimum legal basement apartment in Scarborough costs $85,000 – $130,000. Mid-range build $150,000 – $200,000. With underpinning and a separate exterior entrance: $250,000 – $300,000+ for an 800–1,000 sq ft one-bedroom suite.
Are basement apartments legal in Scarborough?
Yes — as part of Toronto, second suites are subject to Toronto’s Multi-Tenant House and Second Suite Registry — as-of-right in detached, semi, and townhouse dwellings. Compliance with Ontario Building Code Part 9 and Ontario Fire Code Section 9.8 is mandatory regardless of municipality.
What is the rental income on a legal basement apartment in Scarborough?
A one-bedroom legal basement apartment in the mid-range Scarborough market rents for approximately $1,800 – $2,400/month in 2026. Net annual income (after utilities split, insurance delta, maintenance reserve) is typically $18,000 – $25,000.
Get a Free Quote in Scarborough
Country Renovations has been delivering legal basement apartment projects across Scarborough and the GTA since 2014. HCRA-registered. Tarion-enrolled for qualifying projects. WSIB-cleared. $5M insured. Book a free site visit and you’ll receive a written, fixed-price quote with credentials attached in 5 business days.