What permits are required for an already finished basement?

[royc]

Hello all, I am thinking of buying a home which has a fully finished basement (with bathroom). However, the seller did not get any permits for it. He has already started the ESA permit process. What building permit does he need to get from the city (Ottawa)? Will that require a full inspection and possible wall removal? Are the ESA and city permits all that's required, or is there a plumbing permit also? Please advise, thanks.

[Mark & Lynda]

Likely, a building permit from the city followed by inspection of insulation & vapor barrier, and final pluming inspection for installed fixtures.

Be prepared to pay increased Property taxes not identified on the sales listing.

[good2know]

Originally Posted by royc

Hello all, I am thinking of buying a home which has a fully finished basement (with bathroom). However, the seller did not get any permits for it. He has already started the ESA permit process. What building permit does he need to get from the city (Ottawa)? Will that require a full inspection and possible wall removal? Are the ESA and city permits all that's required, or is there a plumbing permit also? Please advise, thanks.

Suggest a quick search on the ottawa web site. All this is spelled out and especially the inspection points and subject matter.

The problem here is its done in stages and before the drywall goes up. A retroactive inspection may be doable, but without x-ray vision, its hard to confirm things are as they should be.

[BartBandy]

He will want to talk to your local building officials in a very nice voice.

And is the was the ESA rough-in inspection done and approved? That's a big one to have done before drywall.