Question

Santos has an upper-level secondary suite. The secondary suite complied with the municipal permit requirements when it was built. However, the building permit requirements have changed since then. What type of suite does Santos have?

a. Legal
b. Illegal
c. Non-conforming
d. Unapproved

Answer 1

Based on the information provided, Santos has a secondary suite that is:

c. Non-conforming.

Step-by-step explanation:

A non-conforming suite refers to a secondary suite that was legally built and complied with the municipal permit requirements at the time of construction. However, due to changes in building permit requirements since then, the suite no longer meets the current regulations or standards.

Here's a breakdown of the different options:

1. Legal: A legal secondary suite is one that meets all the current municipal permit requirements and building codes. It is approved and compliant with the applicable regulations.

2. Illegal: An illegal secondary suite is one that has been built or modified without the necessary permits and approvals from the local authorities. It does not meet the legal requirements and is not authorized.

3. Non-conforming: A non-conforming secondary suite is one that was legal when it was built, meeting all the municipal permit requirements at that time. However, changes in building permit requirements since then have made the suite non-compliant with the current regulations.

4. Unapproved: An unapproved secondary suite refers to one that has not undergone the necessary permitting process or received the required approvals from the local authorities. It does not meet the legal requirements and is not authorized.

In the given scenario, Santos' secondary suite complied with the municipal permit requirements when it was built. However, the building permit requirements have changed since then. As a result, the suite is now considered non-conforming, meaning it no longer meets the current regulations or standards.

It's worth noting that the specific terminology and definitions may vary depending on the local jurisdiction and its specific regulations. Therefore, it's always important to consult the relevant local authorities to determine the legal status and compliance of a secondary suite.

Answer 2

Santos has a non-conforming upper-level secondary suite because it was built to code but the permit requirements have since changed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Santos has an upper-level secondary suite which complied with the municipal permit requirements at the time it was built. Since the building permit requirements have changed since then but the suite was compliant at the time of its construction, this would classify Santos’ suite as a non-conforming suite. Non-conforming use is a term in zoning regulations which allows the property to be legally used in a manner that does not comply with current zoning laws, due to the regulations changing after the property was developed with permits. The fact that it was legal at the time of construction is a key factor. Therefore, the correct answer to what type of suite Santos has would be (c) non-conforming.