The Building Services multi-disciplined team of technical and administrative staff is committed to satisfy the needs of our customers and promote safety of buildings through the application of appropriate uniform building standards. Our Inspectors and Plans Examiners are qualified professionals with extensive knowledge of the Building Code, and other applicable laws and regulations.
The Building Division services include:
- Interpretation of Zoning By-laws
- Accepting and processing building permit applications for the new construction, demolition, renovations, alterations, repairs, and change of use of buildings
- Reviewing design documentation submitted in support of the applications and issuing building permits
- Performing inspections of the work proposed under building permits
- Inspecting construction without permits and inspecting unsafe buildings
- Issuing Pool Enclosure permits
- Registration of Two-Unit Houses
Zoning
Zoning information |
| The Zoning Section administers the Zoning By-laws and participates in the approval process of building permits and development applications. Staff ensures that all applicable law listed in the Ontario Building Code, Section 1.4.1.3., including municipal Zoning By-laws are complied with prior to the issuance of Building Permits.
The majority of properties in Halton Hills are subject to the Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-0050. Other zoning by-laws that apply to a small number of properties in Halton Hills are By-law 57-91, By-law 74-51, and By-law 00-138. Properties that are in the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area (The Plan Area is identified on Schedule A1 of By-law 2010-0050) are not subject to the local Zoning by-laws. For further information you should contact the Niagara Escarpment Commission at 905-877-5191. If applying for a building permit application, please ensure that you submit a completed Applicable Law Declaration form at time of application. Other Zoning Section duties include:
For information on Zoning or Zoning By-laws please contact the Zoning Officer. |
Building and zoning compliance letters |
| Compliance letters and written response memos are services provided by the Zoning Section of the Building Services Division. A Compliance letter provides information of the building and zoning status of the property with respect to matters such as:
If a survey is provided (or on file), comments will be provided regarding the survey's compliance with the requirements of the Zoning By-law. A Written Response letter provides a formal response to a specific request on a property such as:
To request one of the above responses for a property:
For more information on Compliance letters please contact the Zoning Officer. |
Permits and applications
Building Permits |
| The Building Code Act requires that a building permit be obtained for the construction, demolition, or change of use of buildings. It is illegal to construct or demolish a building without first obtaining a permit. Building permits are issued to ensure that proposed work complies with the structural, fire, and health requirements of the Ontario Building Code and other applicable provincial and municipal regulations. Building permits are requiredBuilding permits are required for, but not limited to, the following:
Notes: 1 Decks: please refer to the Deck Permit Application Guide. 2 Please contact Building Services to inquire if a building permit is required for a pre-fabricated structure. 3 A building permit is required for the installation of an air conditioning unit for all buildings except for a house 4 A building permit is required for a tent or a group of tents that is more than 60m2 in aggregate area, attached to a building area or constructed closer than 3m from other buildings/structures. For more information, please see the OBC requirements. Building permits are not requiredBuilding permits are not required for the following:
Note: 1 Please contact Building Services to clarify building permit requirements: a Building permit is generally required for a building occupying an area greater than 10m2. However, depending on specific designs, a building permit may be required for a building occupying an area of 10m2 or less (i.e. roof extensions, a building containing plumbing, etc.). For all of the above projects that do not require a building permit you are still required to comply with the requirements of the Town of Halton Hills Zoning By-law. If an application is not made by the property owner, an Owner's Authorization form must be provided. For more information respecting building permit application requirements contact Building Services. |
Building Permit Application |
| The official provincial "Application to Construct or Demolish" must be used for all permit applications for construction or for demolition. Building Permit Application Change of Use Permit form In support of the application for a building or demolition permit, the applicant must submit design documentation relevant to the proposed work. Prior to the issuance of a building permit staff review submitted design documentation (i.e. structural, architectural, mechanical, fire protection, plumbing, etc.) applicable to a specific application, to ensure compliance with the technical requirements of the Ontario Building Code. The Council approved Building By-law (Schedule B - Part A and Part B) provides detailed information respecting the documentation requirements for all application types. Depending on the classification of the proposed work, you may require an Integrated System Testing form. Please use the following forms to determine the size of the water service piping required for a New House or for Additions and Alterations of Existing Houses (including the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units). A Commitment to General Review form will be required for all Part 3 designs. For proposed Alternative Solutions, the Application for Approval of an Alternative Solution form must be completed and submitted. The following are "Complete Application Checklists" which provides lists of requirements (including design documentation and Applicable law) applicable to the majority of project types:
If an application is not made by the property owner, an Owner's Authorization form must be provided. The appropriate building permit fee is required to be paid at the time of application. Please see Building Permit Fees for all applicable fees. The Ontario Building Code includes an explicit list of applicable laws that must be complied with prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. Compliance with the applicable law may need to be demonstrated by submitting various agencies approvals (i.e. conservation authorities' approval). If applying for a building permit application, please ensure that you submit a completed Applicable Law Declaration form at time of application. For information regarding applicable laws please contact the Zoning Officer. |
Building Inspections |
| Upon the issuance of a building or demolition permit, Building Services Inspection staff perform inspections to ensure that the construction and/or demolition work complies with the documentation on the basis of which a permit is issued. All inspections applicable for the proposed work will be listed on the respective building permit card. Inspectors also perform building investigations of illegal construction and inspect potentially unsafe buildings. Building Inspections can be scheduled through our online inspection request form or contact the Inspection Coordinator at 905-873-2600 ext. 2922. |
Pool enclosure permits and applications |
PermitsUnder the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, the Town of Halton Hills passed the Pool Enclosure By-law No. 2009-0028. As regulated under this By-law, owners of privately-owned swimming pools are required to erect and maintain enclosures around their pools. Building Services Division of the Transportation and Public Works Department is responsible for the issuance of pool enclosure permits and associated inspections. ApplicationsAll pool enclosure permit applications are to be submitted to the Transportation and Public Works Department, Building Division with the following documentation:
Pool enclosure inspection is required upon completion of the pool enclosure and before the pool is filled with water. Inspections can be scheduled through our online inspection request form, or contact the Inspection Coordinator at 905-873-2600 ext. 2922. For more information please see: Inquiries should be directed to 905-873-2600, ext. 2960. |
Registration of two-unit houses |
| Provincial legislation, the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, gives municipalities the authority to pass and enforce by-laws. In order to regulate the registration of two-unit houses the Town of Halton Hills passed the By-law 2016-0005. Registration of a two-unit house legalizes its existence and ensures that a two-unit building complies with all applicable codes and standards. Building Services Division of the Transportation and Public Works Department is responsible for the registration process. A two-unit house can be:
A common example is a basement apartment. Prior to submitting an application to register a Two-Unit House with the Town of Halton Hills, the property owner needs to confirm that the Town of Halton Hills Zoning By-law permits Two-Unit Houses as a land use for their property. For more information on the registration process please see:
Inquiries should be directed to 905-873-2600, ext. 2925. |
Additional Residential Unit houses public registry |
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Other information
Submit a Building Complaint |
| The Building Code Act requires that a building permit be obtained for the construction, demolition, or change of use of buildings. It is illegal to construct or demolish a building without first obtaining a permit. If you believe that any construction work has begun prior to obtaining a building permit and wish to report it, please fill out a Building Complaint form. Building Services does not take anonymous complaints. All information is collected and protected under the MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). |
Signs |
Permanent signs and sign variancesA Building Permit is required for a Permanent Sign and must comply with the Town of Halton Hills Sign By-law.
A variance process is available where the sign cannot be erected in compliance with the by-law. The process takes approximately 3 months. The Town has no jurisdiction on Regional roads or provincial highways. Permanent Signs on private property adjacent to provincial highways require a permit from the Ministry of Transportation before a Town of Halton Hills' Permit can be issued. Portable signsA Portable Sign Permit is required for a temporary sign. For further information regarding Portable Signs please contact 905-873-2600 Ext. 2330. |
Municipal addresses |
| Green and white reflective rural municipal address blades are available from F.L. Signs Ltd., located at 14030 Steeles Avenue, 905-878-8549. All fees for the blades are paid to F.L. Sign Inc. Rural property owners are encouraged to erect the reflective green and white blades, which are easily identified by Emergency Response Personnel rather than municipal addresses of other colours or material.
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Request for documentation |
| Effective January 2, 2019, requests for surveys will be processed by Transportation and Public Works Building Services at Town Hall. Request for documentation form Copies of surveys and documentation may be available for property owners or those with the owner's authorization. To obtain the documentation, email Building Services and attach the filled out request for documentation form. For surveys, if the requester cannot obtain owner’s authorization, they can:
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Design snow load |
| "Environment Canada" has provided the Town with the additional information respecting the ground snow load zones for the Town of Halton Hills area:
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Rural municipal street address signage standards |
MethodsPlease note that your Rural Municipal Street Address should be attached to a post which is clearly visible from both sides of the street. Numbers should not be placed on your house as they may not be clearly visible from the street. The sign should be adjacent to your property line at your driveway.
Rural municipal street address sign specifications
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