This webinar is designed for building designers, technologists, and related professionals who are involved in planning and detailing secondary suites and duplexes in houses under the Ontario Building Code. It will focus on correctly interpreting and applying OBC requirements where the building is still classified as a house, with emphasis on fire and life safety, exits, spatial separation, sound transmission, and key definitions that affect compliance and approvals. Participants will gain practical guidance to support code-compliant design decisions and clearer communication with clients, municipalities, and other consultants.

The session will distinguish between the code pathways for houses more than five years old and those for new construction or buildings less than five years old, highlighting where requirements diverge and how this affects design strategy and documentation. Using typical plan configurations and case-style examples, the presentation will illustrate common compliance issues and coordination challenges, helping attendees reduce redesign risk, streamline permit submissions, and better support clients seeking to add income-generating units.