Zoning from SF to Legal 2nd Suite

[Greg Mildenberger]

Forgive if this has been asked.

Currently in process of purchasing a SF zoned home in Hamilton. Previous owner had two tenants - one upstairs one downstairs. By all means house appears close to obtaining legal suite status (huge basement windows, separate bathroom and kitchen, high ceilings etc) but we are not experts. 

Brother has been reading about a few horror stories of fires at property with illegal in law suite and the ramifications (fines, jail time etc). Though a high percentage of such suites are likely illegal from a technical perspective, that is not balancing out the risk in his eyes.

Impossible to answer particular with Covid delays, but does anyone have experience obtaining an adjustment in Hamilton from SF to legal 2nd suite or any feedback? We could always put a related party tenant upstairs while we take on a 6-12 month project to scale up the basement unit, however the fear of illegal suite is what bothers us most. Amateur question for sure, but appreciate any and all feedback or resources I can further research.