Building Permits

Creating an Online Account

1. Visit the online portal.
2. Select “Create a New User Account”.
3. Complete the required fields (denoted with a red asterisk *) and click the Create New Account button at the bottom of the page.
4. The portal will send you a validation email that will contain a link that you can use to validate your new account. Check your email and click on the Validation Link.
5. Once validated, you will be able to sign into the online portal using the username (email address) and password that you had created.

Once you are signed into the system, there are a couple of tabs in the top menu of the website.

• Summary: This module will show all pending applications that you have submitted, their current status and any notes from Town staff. 
• Apply for New Permit: This module is where you can create a new building permit application for each proposed project.

Steps to Submit an Online Building Permit Application

1. Visit the online portal.

2. Enter your login credentials that you set up when you first created your account. You can use the “Forgot My Password?” link if you need to reset your password.

3. The system will open into the Apply for New Permit module which is broken down into four (4) sections.

   1. Project Information
   2. Owner Information
   3. Contractors and Registered Professionals
   4. Documents
   5. Complete the required fields as you proceed through each section. At any time, you can save your application using the Save Application and Return Later button at the bottom of the page.
   6. Once you have completed the required fields and uploaded any documents that accompany your application, click on the Review Application button at the bottom of the page.
   7. A popup message will appear with a summary of your responses. Review the responses to ensure that they are fully complete and accurate.
      1. If they are complete, use the checkbox at the bottom of the popup message to agree to the terms and click the Submit Application button. You can also print a copy of your submission using the Print button.
      2. If you would like to make changes, click on the “x” at the top righthand corner of the popup message and you can continue to edit your submission.

Once you have submitted your application, it will appear in the Summary module as submitted and you will be able to see its current status.

When received, the Planning Department staff will complete the initial zoning review. Applications that successfully pass the zoning review will be accepted and other applicable law requirements will be reviewed and confirmed. Only after zoning and applicable law requirements have been confirmed will your submission be accepted as a complete application and move forward to the plan examination stage. 

Email notifications will also be sent when there are changes to the application status and/or if more information is required.

Helpful Tips 

• Submit a completed application, including required supporting documentation, to ensure that your application can be processed efficiently.
• To assist with electronic filing, please save your files with the address of the proposed project along with the type of document in the file name (i.e. 123 Main Street – Site Plan).
• If you have any questions regarding the building permit process, you can reach out to Town Staff in-person at Town Hall, by telephone at (613) 623-4231 or by email.

Do I need to apply for a building permit?

You must obtain a building permit for:

• New construction
• Additions (regardless of the building area)
• Renovations
• Demolition
• Creating an in-house apartment or a secondary unit
• Prefabricated buildings
• Mobile homes
• Installing or altering a building system (e.g., plumbing, heating, and air conditioning)
• Farm buildings
• Fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances
• Decks, porches, carports, garages (detached or attached) and other accessory buildings
• Changing a building's use
• Finishing a basement
• Roof-mounted solar panels
• Wind turbines

• Tents (3.14 of the Ontario Building Code) 
• Free standing signs (3.15 of the Ontario Building Code) 

Permits are required to ensure that a new use in an existing building does not impact its life and structural safety.

You do not need a building permit for sheds that have a building area less than 15 m2 (161 sf) if there is no plumbing.

A building permit is required for a deck of any size and height if the deck is appurtenant to a building or another deck (meaning it serves the building directly) via a doorway of any kind then a permit is required for the deck even if it is less than 10m2.  However if you construct a stand-alone deck in your yard that is less than 10m2 a permit is not required. 

Building without a permit is unlawful and could lead to:

• Costly repairs
• Removal of construction
• Doubling the permit fee
• Legal action

How much does a building permit cost?

Please see Schedule D of our User Fees and Charges By-law for all fees. We calculate permit fees using the size of the proposed structure and type of construction. The minimum fee for residential building permits is $100.00 unless otherwise stated. You will be advised of your fee when you are told your permit is ready to be issued.

Development fees are applicable when building permits are issued for new residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings. See the Development Charges By-law.

How long does it take to get a permit?

Typical residential permits are issued within 10 day. This timeframe is working days and starts the day after you submit a complete application. We consider an application as complete when the plans and documents set in our Building By-law have been included and are approved. Other types of applications may have different timeframes as provided in the Ontario Building Code.

What if I need to make a change to my permit after I receive my permit?

If you'd like to make changes to the construction authorized under a permit, please contact the Building Department.

When submitting a permit application to build a home you must include these items:

1. Application for a Permit to Construct
2. Schedule 1 : Designer information
3. Energy Efficiency Design  Summary Performance / Perscriptive  
4. Plumbing Application
5. Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary
6. Roof trusses – truss drawings are required where engineered trusses are used
7. Floor Joists – floor joist layouts are required when engineered floor is used
8. Site Plan
9. Drainage Plan
10. 2 Copies of Construction Drawings (foundation plan, floor plans, elevations and details) Enough information to demonstrate compliance with Ontario Building Code.
11. 2 Copies of HVAC Design and Duct Sizes and Layout

When submitting a permit application for a residential addition or renovation you must include these items:

1. Application for a Permit to Construct
2. Schedule 1 : Designer information (may be required)
3. Energy Efficiency Design Summary (may be required) Performance / Perscriptive  
4. Plumbing Application(may be required)
5. Roof trusses – truss drawings are required where engineered trusses are used
6. Floor Joists – floor joist layouts are required when engineered floor is used
7. Site Plan
8. 2 Copies of Construction Drawings (foundation plan, floor plans, elevations and details). Enough information to demonstrate compliance with Ontario Building Code.