Know what matters
Know what applies to your project.
Check the conditions below before you finalize the scope. Every answer connects to an official source.
Cambridge lists creation of additional residential units among typical projects requiring a building permit.
Source · City of Cambridge
Building Permits · Permit triggers for structures, garages, openings and retaining walls
Verified Oct 1, 2026Open official sourceMake a start
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Plan ahead
Fees and timing
From reading to doing
Your next steps.
- Record the scope: existing and proposed unit count and separate entrance.
- Gather: floor plans with exits, windows and fire separations.
- Compare the exact scope with this municipal statement: Cambridge lists creation of additional residential units among typical projects requiring a building permit.
- Ask which documents, fees and inspections apply to this exact scope; keep the written response with the project records.
- Resolve approvals before committing to a construction start date.
Trace the evidence
Official sources behind this guide.
These are the source documents linked in the rules above. Check the municipal authority for current requirements before submitting a project.
- City of Cambridge
Building Permits · Permit triggers for structures, garages, openings and retaining walls
Source verified Oct 1, 2026
A little more clarity
Common questions.
What should I ask before starting a secondary suite project?
Is a self-contained unit permitted here, and are building approval, registration and occupancy separate steps?
Does this approve my property-specific project?
No. The published general guidance is verified; zoning, exact scope and other approvals still need to be resolved for your property.
Do you need a permit for secondary suite in Cambridge?
Cambridge lists creation of additional residential units among typical projects requiring a building permit.
Know the approval terms
A second unit can meet one rule and still need another approval.
Building permits, zoning and applicable law are separate parts of the approval path.
Building permit
A municipal approval required before certain construction, alteration, demolition or change-of-use work can proceed. The permit review checks the proposed work against the Ontario Building Code, local zoning and other applicable law.
Zoning by-law
A municipal rule set that controls how land and buildings may be used and developed, including matters such as permitted uses, setbacks, height, lot coverage and other site-specific standards.
Applicable law
Requirements outside the Ontario Building Code that must be satisfied before a building permit can be issued when the Building Code identifies them as applicable law.
Same project, different city
See how this rule changes across Ontario.
Compare the source-reviewed answer for this project across every municipality BuildRules currently covers.
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