Home owners who supplement their mortgage payments with a basement apartment will now need a license. The City of Mississauga has finally made a response to Bill 140 and the affordable Housing Act. As of January 2, 2014, legal second units must have a City of Mississauga licence per City By-law 204-13
The Mississauga City Council approved a plan to permit second units on July 3, 2013. The plan includes official plan policies, zoning regulations and licensing requirements. It will be in full force in January 2014.
‘Second units’ are self-contained apartments within existing homes. They have their own kitchen facilities, a bathroom, a bedroom and sometimes have a door that separates the unit from the rest of the home. They are often called basement apartments, in-law suites or secondary suites.
The Second Unit Implementation Strategy includes:
•Official Plan policies permitting second units in detached, and semi-detached homes as well as townhouses
•Zoning By-law regulations including parking and distance from the property lines for entrances and stairs
•A licensing program to ensure zoning, building and fire codes, as well as property standards, are met
•An Education Program that will include information materials and sessions to help the public understand what is required for a legal second unit in the City and
•Partnerships with professional and organizations interested in second units
An existing second unit will only be legal if it complies with the official plan and zoning by-law, meets building and fire codes, and there is a license for the unit.
The initial second unit license will cost $500 for owner-occupied properties and $1,000 for investment properties . The annual license renewal will cost 50% of these values.
Any person who is charged with an offence under this By-law and found guilty is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 or $50,000 (for corporations).
http://www7.mississauga.ca/documents/ByLaws/second_unit_licensing.pdf
Back Grounder City of Mississauga Feb 25, 2013.
http://www5.mississauga.ca/agendas/planning/2013/02_25_13/Item01HousingChoices.pdf
http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/housingchoicesfaq;jsessionid=QWO1TNPT5FJELTRPH3XT44WOF25W2PW0?paf_gear_id=3700008&itemId=114600169n&action=faqAnswer
Keeping it or Selling it?
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