Building Permits

A building permit provides legal authorization to commence the construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.

Building permits are issued by the Building Services section and are reviewed for compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the applicable provincial and municipal regulations. Building permits are required to guarantee compliance with zoning By-laws, also to ensure fire and structural safety standards are met.

By obtaining a permit you can also utilize the professional expertise of the Building Services staff. Our Inspectors and Plans Examiner are certified and skilled with extensive training in Building Code regulations. They serve as excellent sources of knowledge and can provide suggestions to assist in resolutions to construction issues, often before they occur. Consequently, saving you project time and money.

The Ontario Building Code Act requires that a building permit be obtained for the construction of an addition or alteration of any structure, which results in a building area of more than 10m2 (108 square feet). It is illegal to construct or demolish without first obtaining a permit.

Listed below are examples of typical projects that require the issuance of a building permit:

Construction of a new building greater than 10m2 in building area
Placing a structure on your property (ex. mobile home)
Installation of a temporary building
Installation of new plumbing in a building or part thereof
Installation or modification to site services (water or sewage lines)
Installation of a sign
Raising a dwelling to provide a full basement
Sunrooms
Demolitions
Accessory building construction
Detached or attached garages and carports
Installation of heating, ventilation or air conditioning
Installation of a solid fuel burning appliance, i.e. Wood burn stove or fireplace
Installation of a new furnace utilizing a new fuel source
Addition, alteration or repair of an existing building or its plumbing system
Installation or repair of an on-site sewage system**
Completion of a roughed-in bathroom or washroom
Addition/removal of a structural wall in a dwelling
Construction a deck*
Changing the use of a building

* Decks not attached to the dwelling and less than 10m in area, do not require a building permit. However each deck must comply with the Town's Zoning By-law.

** A building permit is required if you are installing or repairing an on-site sewage system, with a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less. For more information, please refer to “Conditions forming part of a building permit for an on-site sewage system”, contact the office at 905-873-2601 Ext. 2923 or drop by the Building Services counter.

Please view our Building Permit Pamphlet. (2MB - PDF)

Projects that do not require a Building Permit