Building Department
With Certain Exceptions, a building permit is required whenever a building or structure regulated by the Ontario Building Code is constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, converted, moved, or demolished.
The Primary reason for a building permit is to ensure your safety and the safety of those who will occupy the building in the future. The permit process... and the inspections that are required... help ensure that the building is "up to code" and safe for occupation.
It also protects your investment. If work is done without a permit and a problem such as a fire results, your homeowners insurance policy will often not cover the loss.
When it comes to protecting one's family and one's equity, it is better to be safe then sorry, especially considering the relatively small cost of a building permit.
Here are the links to download the permit application forms directly from the Building and Development Branch in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing site.
Permit Application form
Need more information?
Contact the Municipal Building Official at 525-1110.
Under the Ontario Building Code Act, a building permit is required for the construction of an addition or alteration of any structure which results in a building area of over 10 m2 (108) square feet). A list of typical projects that do require a permit, includes:
- Decks
- Balconies
- Pool, including inflatable pools
- Outdoor Boilers
- New foundations
- New fireplaces
- Completion of roughed-in fireplaces
- Installation of wood burning stoves
- New porches & enclosing a porch
- Sun rooms
- Solarium's
- Carports
- Attached or detached garages and sheds
- Dormers of finishing of attic space
- One or two storey additions
- Finishing a basement
- Furnace and duct work replacements
- Plumbing and /or drains (except replacing fixtures)
- New or structural alterations to windows or doors
- Interior structural alterations
- Adding or removing most walls (i.e., creating different room sizes and/or uses
- Basement or main floor walkout alterations
- Replacement of brick veneer
- Replacement of masonry chimney below roof line
- Installation of irrigation systems
- Installation, repair of storm, sanitary and water service
- Installation of clean out
- Conversion from septic to sanitary sewer
- Insulation of exterior wall, when exterior or interior cladding is removed
- Demolition of any structure
The above is not a complete list of projects that require a building permit. If you are unsure if your project needs one, please contact the Chief Building Official at 525-1110.
A building permit is not required for a detached accessory structure (gazebo, tool shed, etc.) which measures less than 10m² (108 square feet) in area. A list of typical projects that do not require a permit, includes:
- Fences other than for swimming pools
- Asphalt roof shingling
- Eavestroughs / Minor repairs to masonry
- Damp-proofing basements
- Kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
- Free-standing satellite dishes
- Replacing siding or windows (provided there are no structural changes)
- Decks not forming part of a principal entrance to a dwelling unit and less than 600mm (24 inches) above grade
- Air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing forced-air furnace (no duct work alterations)
- Replace existing forced-air furnace (no duct work alterations)
- Pool heaters
- Painting and decorating
- Landscaping
