Basement apartments public meeting March 1

Another public meeting is happening on March 1 to let people know about a plan to potentially make basement apartments legal across Peterborough – no rezoning necessary.

Right now, basement apartments are only legal in the downtown. Anywhere else in the city, they’re not allowed - unless the property owner applies for a rezoning and council grants it.

But that could be changing soon. At two public meetings in December, city planning staff presented a new set of rules they’re developing that would make all basement apartments legal in Peterborough.

The only requirement of property owners would be to register the apartment at City Hall; that would allow the city to send inspectors to ensure the apartment meets requirements set out in the Fire Code and Building Code.

There would be a one-time registration fee; renewals wouldn’t be required.

The type of apartment in question is within a house, with its own private kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. It may or may not have its own entrance, and it may be in its own small separate building on the property.

The meeting will take place on March 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Crestwood Secondary School on Sherbrooke St.

A presentation will be given by city staff at 7:15 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. Information boards will also be on display, and city staff will be there to answer any questions.

City staff said in December the idea was to present a proposed set of rules to city council sometime at the end of this winter.

For more information, contact city subdivision planner Brad Appleby at bappleby@peterborough.ca