A building permit is required to convert to a finished basement. Basements have some very specific codes that must be followed. Conversion into a Rec Room is not as stringent as converting to a bedroom space. Life Safety Codes apply including ventilation and means of egress requirements.
Please see the question titled “What do I need to know when finishing my basement?” for more information.
By providing a detailed drawing BEFORE starting the work, we can help you make sure the work is done to code, and save you headaches later.
A building official would be happy to go over the details of your plan.