Thinking About Adding a Second Suite in Barrie? Here’s What You Need to Know

Thinking About Adding a Second Suite in Barrie? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re considering turning your basement (or adding a coach house) into a second suite in Barrie — awesome. It can be a smart way to boost your income, house a family member, or build long-term property value. But if you skip the rules, you could be putting yourself in hot water. Here’s the lowdown, based on what the City of Barrie requires, and how to navigate the process without surprise costs or compliance headaches.

What Is a “Second Suite” (or ARU)?

  • According to Barrie’s “Additional Residential Units” (ARU) policy, a second suite is essentially a self-contained living space: its own kitchen, bathroom, entrance — separate from the main home. City of Barrie

  • This living space can be internal (like a basement), attached (an extension), or detached (a coach house or garden suite). City of Barrie

  • These units are permitted on lots zoned “Neighbourhood Area” under Barrie’s Zoning By-law. City of Barrie

Why Registering Is Not Optional — It’s a Must

  • Barrie has a Second Suites Registration By-law (2020-010) that requires all second suites (and detached accessory dwellings) to be registered with the city. City of Barrie

  • The reason? Safety and coordination. Registering ensures Fire & Emergency Services, Building Services, and other departments know the unit exists. City of Barrie+1

  • If your suite isn’t registered and someone reports it (or the city catches it), you could face fines or be forced to stop renting. The by-law explicitly prohibits operating a second suite without registration. City of Barrie

What the Registration Process Looks Like

  1. Application — Fill out the “Application to Register a Second Suite” form, which includes details like floor plans, lot sketch, and how the unit is laid out. City of Barrie

  2. Inspections — Once submitted, the city will conduct required inspections: building code, fire code, property standards. City of Barrie

  3. Fix What’s Needed — If the city flags issues (say, with fire separations or exits), you’ll need to make the necessary changes and have a re-inspection. City of Barrie

  4. Final Approval & Registration — After passing inspection, the Registrar officially registers the second suite. City of Barrie

  5. Notification — Once registered, the city notifies key stakeholders: the owner, Fire & Emergency Services, Building Services, and utilities. City of Barrie

Key Zoning & Building Requirements

  • Zoning limits: Only one second suite allowed per lot.

  • Size cap: The suite can be up to 45% of the total gross floor area of the principal building — unless it’s entirely in the basement of a single-storey house, in which case more flexibility may apply.

  • Parking: Barrie’s by-law requires at least 1 parking space per unit when you have a second suite.

  • Accessory (detached) units: If you’re building a coach house or garden suite (a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, or “DADU”), it also needs to follow lot coverage limits, setbacks, and other zoning standards. City of Barrie

Safety & Code Compliance

  • Your suite must meet the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code, and Barrie’s Property Standards by-law. City of Barrie

  • That means proper egress (windows or doors), fire-rated construction (walls, ceilings), smoke detectors — the works. City of Barrie

  • For detached units: they must be hooked up to full municipal services.

What’s New (or Changing)

  • Barrie recently updated its second-suite and DADU (detached dwelling) process. As of March 2024, when you pass all required inspections, the suite is automatically registered — no extra licensing step. City of Barrie

  • In recent zoning by-law changes, Barrie clarified how to calculate the 45% size limit, including what counts as “habitable living space.”

  • For detached units, there are new rules around height, privacy, and rear-yard setbacks. Ontario Construction News

Why Legalizing (Rather Than Renting Illegally) Is a Smart Move

  • Peace of mind: No risk of fines, enforcement, or worst-case scenario — being forced to shut the unit down.

  • Safety: Legal units are inspected. That protects you, your tenant, and your home.

  • Value: A registered second suite can significantly boost your property’s value — and help with mortgage payments.

  • Community benefit: Barrie encourages ARUs because they increase housing supply and affordability. City of Barrie

 

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