I’m in Ontario and want to make my basement into a rentable unit. Does the province have its own rules for egress windows, or do we just follow the general national building code?

The Ontario Building Code does have some specific sections that differ from the national standard, especially for secondary suites.

Ontario does follow the national code but adds its own twists, especially when it comes to secondary dwelling units. You can find the most up-to-date egress window rules in Ontario in this detailed resource. It covers everything from minimum window dimensions to acceptable opening styles and even how window wells should be constructed. What stood out to me was how different the criteria are if you're renting out the space — stricter clearances and accessibility requirements apply. Before I installed my basement windows, I checked against this guide and avoided a potential rejection during inspection. For anyone planning to rent or legally occupy basement space, Ontario's specific building codes matter — and this guide makes them easy to understand.