By Reno Rise. Published September 19, 2026. Last updated September 19, 2026. General planning information, not legal or engineering advice.
A basement egress window is a window large enough, and reachable enough, to be used as an emergency way out. If you plan a basement bedroom or a secondary suite, how people get out in an emergency becomes a design question, and an egress window is one common answer. Here is the direction: plan the exit first, then everything else.
Small, high basement windows are wonderful for one thing, which is making a room feel like a cellar. Daylight and a safe exit are what turn it into a home.
Why do basement bedrooms need an egress window?
Ontario’s guide to second units explains that emergency escape windows can be required where exits pass through other units, and it gives glazing targets for habitable rooms. Toronto Fire Services also highlights problem exits in two-unit houses. The Building Code sets the details, so a designer should confirm what your layout needs. See the legal secondary suite guide for how exits fit the whole project.
What does installing an egress window involve?
- Checking what is in the wall: structure, lintels, pipes and wiring.
- Cutting the foundation opening and installing the window with proper flashing.
- Building a window well with drainage, so it does not collect water against your foundation.
- Finishing and insulating the interior around the opening.
- A permit and inspection where applicable. Toronto Building lists new windows among work that needs a permit (City permit page).
Homeowners love saying the window was “fine as it is.” Sure. So was the fire drill nobody read. Windows are the one place where fine is not a plan.
What should you ask before hiring?
- Will this window and well meet the Code for this room in this house?
- How will the well drain, and what happens in heavy rain?
- Who applies for the permit and arranges inspection?
- What happens if the opening hits a structural element or a buried service?
When you do not need one
If you only want a brighter room and it is not a bedroom or a required exit, a smaller replacement may do. See basement window replacement, window wells and egress window planning. Picture the result: a bright, safe basement bedroom where you can breathe, and sleep, easy.
General information, not legal or engineering advice. Confirm your project with Toronto Building and a qualified designer or contractor. Reno Rise does not issue permits or give code advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is an egress window?
An egress window is large enough, and reachable enough, to be used as an emergency exit. In a basement it usually means an enlarged opening and a window well.
Does a basement bedroom need an egress window?
Bedrooms need a safe way out, and Ontario’s guide describes emergency escape windows for certain layouts. What applies depends on your design, so confirm with a designer and Toronto Building.
Do I need a permit to add a basement egress window in Toronto?
Toronto Building lists new windows and relocated openings among work that needs a permit. Confirm your exact work with the City before cutting.
How does a window well drain?
A window well is built with drainage so it does not collect water against the foundation. Ask each professional how theirs will drain in heavy rain.
Request a Basement Assessment
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