Building Permits

Projects that require a building permit

According to the Building Code Act, a building permit is required for the construction or installation of a new structure or the construction of an addition or alteration of any structure. The following are common projects that require a building permit:

• new structures (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional)
• accessory buildings larger than 10 square metres. Residential sheds larger than 15 square metres.
• any addition to a structure, regardless of the size of the addition
• interior alterations to create new rooms in a basement/attic or converting a garage to living space
• any structural changes including interior partitions
• adding structural features such as decks, balconies, canopies, etc.
• repairs or renovations
• a new entrance or new window opening
• adding new dormers
• raising the house to provide a full basement or first storey or to excavate the basement to provide a full basement
• enclosing a porch/roof or sundeck
• constructing a retaining wall larger than 3 feet and 3 inches of exposed height
• installing a pool enclosure
• installing a fireplace or woodstove
• interior alterations to non-residential units
• any installation or alteration of a plumbing system
• replacing a sewer line/water service line
• converting from a septic system to Town sewer or water
• change of use

House

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a house:

• complete set of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, cross-section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations, fireplace details, truss design, drainage)
• heat loss calculation with duct layout
• ventilation design summary
• energy efficiency design summary
• copy of the site plan approval

Additions

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for additions:

• complete set of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan of addition showing sizes of window and door openings, and single line drawing of floor plan of existing house, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations and truss design if applicable)
• heat loss calculation with duct layout (if applicable)
• energy efficiency design summary
• survey/site plan showing all buildings on the property (show location and dimensions of additions, setbacks from property line and grading/drainage of property, if required) 

Accessory apartment

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for an accessory apartment:

• complete set of construction plans (existing and proposed floor plans showing sizes of windows, doors and room dimensions of the new unit, include all room names, fire separations and a layout of the existing floor above)
• surveys/site plan showing the size of all the parking spots, any new exits or windows that are proposed with setback from the property line (a grading/drainage of property may be required if there is any exterior work)

View our Accessory Apartment guide for more information. 

Attached/detached garage

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for an attached/detached garage:

• complete set of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations and truss design, if applicable)
• survey/site plan showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of attached/detached garage, setbacks from property line and grading/drainage of property, if required)

View our grading guide for more information. 

Accessory buildings

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for any detached residential accessory building over 15 metres squared or 161 feet squared:

• complete set of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, front view showing height of building and truss design, if applicable)
• survey/site plan showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of accessing building along with setbacks)
• grading plan (see attached for grading guide) 

Carport

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a carport:

• complete set of construction plans (foundation plan, side elevation showing partial enclosure, if any, framing cross section to include dimensions and material to be used in the construction and tress design, if applicable)
• survey/site plan showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of carport along with setbacks) 

Deck

You must include the following required drawing with your building permit application for a deck:

• complete set of construction plans (floor plan and framing cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction and elevation view and grading plan)
• survey/site plan showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of the deck along with setbacks)
• grading plan (see attached for grading guide) 

View our Planning Your Deck package for more information. 

Pool

Learn about the requirements for all pool enclosure permit applications. 

Commercial/industrial/institutional

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a commercial, industrial or institutional building.

A complete set of drawings must be provided for all elements, including:

• architectural
• structural
• mechanical
• electrical
• sprinklers

 Source Water Protection applications and guidelines

If your property is in a source protection vulnerable area, you will need to receive additional review and approval in order to undertake certain activities on your property. We need to make sure that activities carried out on land don't impact the quality of our underground municipal drinking water sources.

Source protection applications for planning and building approvals

Before you apply for a planning approval or building permit, you need to complete the Application for a Notice to Proceed to ensure that your project meets the guidelines set out in the Source Protection Plan.

Submit your application by email or drop it off at Town Hall located at 87 Broadway.

We will review your application and determine if any additional steps need to be taken before you apply for a planning approval or building permit. Review our Source Water Protection Guidelines for Planning and Building Permit Applications for more details. 

Credit Valley Conservation Area

CVC issues permits in regulated areas to protect people, property and natural features from flooding and hazards.

For more information, please visit the CVC's planning permits page for more information.  

 Grading damage deposits

This is a security that is held until the lot has been certified as graded according to approved plans, and the building permit has been closed. 

When is the deposit released?

Timelines and conditions will vary depending on the type of development or scope of the project. 

We hold the deposit until the final inspection to close the building permit. The building department will then notify the Public Works Department to complete their separate inspection to ensure the grading is satisfactory. After the grading inspection has been passed, staff will process your refund.

The time it takes to receive your deposit depends on the time it takes for construction to be completed in compliance with the approved building permits, including completion of all required inspections through to the closing of the building permit.