Can I have two bedrooms in my basement apartment or just one?

Yes, you can absolutely have two bedrooms in your basement apartment in Ottawa, provided your basement has sufficient square footage and meets Ontario Building Code requirements for each bedroom.

Minimum Size Requirements for secondary dwelling units in Ottawa are quite specific. Each bedroom must be at least 7 square meters (75 square feet) with a minimum width of 2.1 meters (7 feet). For a two-bedroom basement apartment, you'll need a minimum total floor area of 47 square meters (506 square feet) - this includes the bedrooms plus living area, kitchen, and bathroom space. Most Ottawa basements can accommodate this, especially in homes built after 1960.

Each bedroom must have proper egress according to the Ontario Building Code. This means every bedroom needs either direct access to an exit or a window that meets emergency escape requirements - minimum 0.35 square meters (3.8 square feet) of opening area with no dimension less than 380mm (15 inches). If your basement bedrooms don't have adequate window egress, you'll need to install egress windows, which typically costs $3,000-$6,000 per window in Ottawa including the window well and professional installation.

Fire separation and ventilation become more critical with multiple bedrooms. You'll need proper fire-rated separation between your basement unit and the main house (45-minute rating), plus adequate ventilation and heating for each bedroom. The electrical system must also handle the increased load from additional rooms, lighting, and outlets.

Zoning compliance is essential - your property must be in an area where secondary suites are permitted, and you'll need proper parking (requirements vary by neighborhood). The City of Ottawa has been expanding secondary suite permissions, but always verify your specific address is compliant before starting construction.

Practical considerations include ceiling height (minimum 1.95m or 6'5" for bedrooms), moisture control, and sound insulation between floors. Two-bedroom units obviously generate more rental income but require more complex mechanical systems and typically cost $90,000-$150,000 to complete properly in Ottawa, compared to $70,000-$120,000 for a one-bedroom unit.

The permitting process takes 4-8 weeks for secondary suites, and having detailed plans showing both bedrooms with proper egress will be crucial for approval. Want to discuss your specific basement layout and determine the best bedroom configuration? We offer free consultations to assess your space and walk you through the requirements.