Registration of a Two-Unit House

City of Oshawa's Two Unit House Registration By-law requires that all two-unit houses be registered. Failure to register a two-unit house is an offence under the By-law.

• The registration's inspection process will make your two-unit house safe.
• Registration will aid Fire Services and other Emergency Services in dispatching appropriate staff and equipment in calls for assistance.
• Your house will be officially recognized as a two-unit house by the City. This will assist in future real estate transactions.
• Prospective tenants will be able to verify whether a rental unit in a two-unit house has been inspected and registered with the City.

The City recommends contacting Municipal Licensing and Standards for detailed information regarding requirements for registering a two-unit house. Generally speaking, a two-unit house may be eligible for registration upon satisfying the following criteria:

1. Zoning Criteria

• It is not located within the Accessory Apartment Restricted Area.

• It is located within a R1, R2, R5, OSR-A, OS-ORM, AG-A, AG-B or AG-ORM Zone, as per the City's Zoning By-law 60-94, provided that the following criteria are met:

  • The main dwelling is a permitted use in the zone in which it is located;
  • The maximum number of accessory apartments permitted on a lot is one (1); and
  • A minimum lot frontage of 11 metres shall be provided.
• The house must have been originally constructed d as a single detached dwelling or a semi-detached dwelling (exceptions may apply).
• Parking requirements as set out under Section 5.12 of Zoning By-law 60-94 must be met.

Exception: Certain exceptions apply if the Two-Unit House existed prior November 16, 1995 or June 23, 2014. Contact Municipal Licensing and Standards for more information. 

 2.  Compliance with other Standards including:

• Property Standards By-law 1-2002 
• Building Code Act 1992, SO 1992, c 23
• Building Code O Reg 332/12
• Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, SO 1997, c 4
• Fire Code, O Reg 213/07

Complete and submit an application for registration along with a $250 fee to Municipal Licensing and Standards. Please note that other supporting documentation may be required.

Contact Municipal Licensing and Standards for an application for registration. 

1. Your application will be reviewed to determine whether it satisfies the criteria for registration.

2. You will be contacted to arrange for an initial inspection of your house by staff from:

   1. Oshawa Fire Services
   2. Municipal Licensing and Standards
3. Your dwelling will be inspected for compliance with the Ontario Fire Code, the City of Oshawa Property Standards By-law, and parking standards set out in the City of Oshawa Zoning By-law. In addition, you are required to schedule a general inspection of both units by the Electrical Safety Authority.
4. The findings of the inspection will be documented and forwarded to you in writing. The report will identify any required work and the date for a final inspection of the completed work.
5. A final inspection will be arranged at a convenient time with you to inspect the required work identified in the initial inspection report.
6. Upon satisfactory completion of the work, you will be issued a Certificate of Registration from the City which indicates that your Two-Unit House is registered with the City of Oshawa.

• Two-Unit Registration Application
• Two-Unit Registration Declaration
• Owner's Authorization Form - An owner may authorize another person to act as an agent on their behalf. The agent is able to represent the owner and attend inspections at the property in the event the owner is unable to do so.

Contact Municipal Licensing and Standards for other applicable forms.