A Guide to Building Permits

Building Permits must be obtained before you start work on a New House/Cottage, or addition, or any alterations to an existing house which are significant in nature.  Permits are geared to those projects where Health & Safety matters are involved, and exist to protect you, other homeowners, building occupants, future owners and the community.

WHEN DO I NEED A PERMIT?

Contact your local Municipal Office for specific permit requirements for any particular project.

Permits are normally required for:

• Building any detached structure larger than 100 sq. ft.
• Building any addition to your home
• Raised porches or decks
• Carports or garages
• Structural alterations
• Moving or lifting your house/cottage
• Installing a wood stove or fireplace
• Partitioning a basement or adding a basement entrance
• Altering or adding any plumbing
• Demolishing a house

Permits are not normally required for:

• Detached structures 100 sq. ft. or less in area
• Replacement of windows, doors, roofing or siding (i.e.: Windows and Doors where no change to lintel)
• New interior wall, floor or ceiling finishes
• Waterproofing repairs to a basement (inquire first)
• Replacement of plumbing fixtures only.
• Replacement of a furnace – unless New Chimney

HOW DO I GET A PERMIT?

1.  It is advisable to verify with your local municipal office that your proposed site plan will meet local zoning standards before you prepare the complete construction plans.
2.  Visit your local municipal office, and complete a building permit application.
3.  Provide the required number of copies (usually 2 or 3) of the construction drawings, including a site plan.
4.  Pay the permit fee.

WHEN WILL I GET THE PERMIT?

Your permit will be issued promptly if your drawings are complete and the proposed construction meets local zoning standards, the Ontario Building Code and the requirements of other agencies such as the Conservation Authority.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO AFTER I GET THE PERMIT?

Review your approved permit drawings before you start work and keep them on the project site.  The permit must be posted in a conspicuous place on your property prior to starting work.

You can commence construction any time after obtaining the permit and your permit will remain valid for a minimum of six months.  Local utilities such as hydro, gas and telephone operate independently from your municipality and should be contacted regarding their specific approval and inspection requirements.  All utilities must be contacted prior to commencing any excavation to determine the location of any nearby underground services.

Inspection requirements are normally noted on your permit drawings or the permit itself and must be arranged by calling the municipal building inspection office prior to covering the work.   For a house/cottage addition, an inspection is usually required for footings & foundations, structural framing, plumbing, insulation and vapor barriers and a final inspection before using the new space.  Smaller projects such as decks, garages and minor alterations will usually involve fewer inspections.

If changes to the approved work are anticipated, speak with the inspector to determine if a revision to your permit is required.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WORK SAFELY!

It is your responsibility to obtain all required permits prior to commencing construction.   Failure to obtain permits will result in Fines or Charges under the Provincial Offences Act.

Maximum Fine for 1^st Offence is $25,000.00

A small housing addition will usually require the submission of the following drawings.  All drawings must be accurately drawn to scale, in ink.

SITE PLAN

A SITE PLAN is a drawing showing the complete property and identifying all structures in relation to the property boundaries.  It should include:

• Scale

• North arrow

• Lot lines & dimensions

• Existing & proposed construction & dimensions

• Setbacks & lot lines

• Proposed changes to existing grade

FLOOR PLANS

A FLOOR PLAN is a drawing of the structure as seen as if it is cut horizontally a few feet above the floor lines.  One floor plan is required for every floor of the house, which is affected by the new construction.  Each plan shows the interior layout of the level in question as well as providing the structural framing information for the floor or roof above.  Floor plans should include:

• Scale

• Use of rooms & spaces

• Dimensions

• Extend of new construction including new work within existing building

• Size, type and location of exterior and interior walls and partitions

• Widths, locations and lintel sizes of all openings

• Location, dimensions and direction of stairs

• Sectional arrows

• References to detailed drawings

• Material specifications or notes

• Heating details and calculations
  

ELEVATIONS 

ELEVATIONS show the exterior view of each side of the house.  Each elevation is identified by the direction it is facing, and should include:

• Scale

• Extent of new & existing construction

• Vertical dimensions of walls, windows & doors

• Grade level

• Exterior wall cladding, finishes & flashing

• Overhang dimensions

• Roof shape, slope & finish

• Rain water loader & eaves trough

SECTION and DETAILS

A SECTION represents a view of the house along an imaginary line at a particular location, & illustrates construction details.  The extend of the sections should correspond with the sectional arrows show on the plans.  Sections should indicate the following:

• Scale

• Details of footings, foundations, walls, floors & the roof

• Distance from grade to floor & underside of footing

• Attic & crawl space ventilation

At times a specific aspect of the project may require specific details.   An inventory of standard construction details is available from the municipal office, which can be used to augment you plans.

PLEASE NOTE:
Some Plans require an Architect and/or P. Engineer