Basement Walkouts

Designer requirements

Drawings that are prepared by a qualified designer (as defined in the Ontario Building Code) must include:

• The qualified designer's name
• The qualified designer’s registration number
• The qualification identification number of the qualified designer (Building Code Identification Number: BCIN)
• The qualified designer's signature
• The stamp or statement that the qualified designer has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities

Note: 

Property owners may prepare and submit drawings that follow the requirements outlined in the “drawing requirements” section below.

• If the existing strip footing of the basement foundation wall will be exposed to frost due to the excavation of the walk-up stairs, the designer must provide structural details to show how the strip footing will be protected from frost action/thermal bridging. Ref: OBC 2012, Div. B, Part 9, Article 9.12.2.2.
• If the foundation level is less than 1200 mm below the adjacent ground level, the design must be completed by a professional engineer
• For all walk-up stairs that contain retaining wall more than 1000 mm in height, the design and review must be carried out by a professional engineer.  Ref: OBC 2012, Div. A, Part 1, Article 1.1.2.2.

Drawing requirements

A PDF copy of the construction drawing must be provided.

Drawings are to be fully dimensioned, signed and dated and include information such as:

• A property survey or site plan – including the location of the proposed basement walkout and dimensions indicating the distance from the basement walkout to adjacent property lines
• Lot grading plan approved by City of Vaughan Development Engineering Department
• Construction drawings:
  • Foundation plan
  • Plan view
  • Cross section
  • Underpinning details
  • Guard or rail details and a copy of the pre-engineered guard or railing details (if applicable). Typically, these details are available through the guard or railing supplier

Additional requirements

• Commonly Used Applicable Laws & Building Permits (PDF)
• Building Permit Applicant Authorization Form (PDF)
• Schedule 1 Designer Information Form (PDF)
• Approval from Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (if applicable)
• Approval from City of Vaughan’s Urban Design and Cultural Heritage division (if applicable)
• Any other documents that pertain to the project