Your place needs
PERMITS
for renovation
At OH RENOVATION INC., we transform your vision into reality with exceptional craftsmanship and personalized service. As a leading residential building contractor in Ontario, we are committed to delivering high-quality renovations that enhance and protect your home by applying for permits before we start our magic together!
Why you need to obtain a building permit
Building permits allow your municipality to protect the interests of both individuals and the community as a whole. By reviewing and approving building permit applications before any work is done, the municipality can ensure that buildings comply with: 1. the Building Code, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation 2. the local zoning bylaw and other planning controls on buildings 3. other applicable legislation, including conservation authority approvals and certain requirements under the Environmental Protection Act
When you need a building permit
As the building owner, you are ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed. The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit. The list is not exhaustive. If you have any questions please contact Toronto Building. 1. Construct a new building 2. Construct an addition to an existing building, such as second or third story additions attached garages, carports sunrooms solariums, porches, decks 3. Make structural or material alterations, such as adding or removing walls (i.e., changing room sizes and/or uses) new windows or doors where there were none before enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors enclosing an existing deck, porch or patio of any size 4. Construct a shed with an area of 15 square meters (161 square feet) or more. Note: Sheds under 15 square metres in area, do not need a building permit. See “When is a Building Permit not required?” below for exceptions to this rule 5. Construct an accessory structure larger than 10 square meters (107 square feet) in area, such as Detached Garage Workshop Carport Pool house or cabana *Note: If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has plumbing, regardless of its size, a building permit is required. 6. Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following, structural or material alterations installing or modifying heating and or plumbing systems excavating and/or constructing foundations basement underpinning constructing a basement entrance adding a second suite 7. Energy and environmental building improvements, such as roof top storm water retention systems green roofs structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW solar projects such as installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems 8. Construct a deck more than 60 centimetres (24 inches) above ground 9. Construct a retaining wall more than one metre (3 feet 3 inches) in height provided the retaining wall is on or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances, and on private property accessible to the public 10. Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building 11. Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace 12. Install a wood burning stove or fireplace 13. Install or modify heating and or plumbing systems 14. Install a backwater valve 15. Install a backflow prevention device 16. Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.
How you apply for a building permit
You can get an application for a building permit from either your municipality or the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s website. Note that building permit applications are submitted to your municipality, not to the provincial government. When you apply, you'll have to attach drawings, plans, and other documents. You may also have to pay a fee. It’s a good idea to talk to the staff at your municipality before you apply. They can tell you what information, drawings and plans you'll have to include with the application and whether you'll need any other permits or approvals. 1. the Building Code, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation 2. the local zoning bylaw and other planning controls on buildings 3. other applicable legislation, including conservation authority approvals and certain requirements under the Environmental Protection Act
Construction inspections
The Building Code sets out the stages of construction when different types of buildings must undergo a mandatory inspection. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to contact the municipality for an inspection when the project is at the stage of construction set out in the Building Code. The municipal building official is required to carry out the inspection within two working days of being notified. For construction of a sewage system, the inspector has five working days to conduct the inspection. During the inspection, an inspector will inspect the work to determine if it is carried out in accordance with the Building Code, your permit and the approved plans. You will also be required to: 1. show your permit in a window or other place where it can be easily seen 2. keep copies of the plans on the site 3. tell the municipality about any changes to the proposed construction, which will also have to be approved by the municipality The inspector must always be able to see the work. If it’s different from the work that was approved and, unless you get permission for a revision to your plans, you will be told to correct it. If you don't, the municipality can take enforcement action, such as issuing orders authorized under the Building Code Act, 1992.
Demolition permits
Before you take down all or part of a building, you will have to apply to your municipality for a demolition permit. The process is much the same as for a building permit, but some special situations may affect your application. In a demolition control area, for example, you will not be able to demolish a residential property until you have received a demolition permit issued by the municipal council. You may require a separate heritage approval from the municipality, or the Ontario Heritage Trust, including a heritage approval for the demolition of a building or structure located on the property, if your property is: 1. designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, 2. located in a heritage conservation district, or 3. subject to a heritage conservation easement (a legal agreement to protect heritage elements that applies to anyone who owns the land). If your property is not designated, but is included on a municipal heritage register, the Ontario Heritage Act requires that the property owner provide municipal council 60 days notice of their intention to demolish or remove a building or structure located on the property.
When you do not need a building permit
The following are examples of work which do not require a building permit and are not subject to the provisions of the building code. However, please note that this list is not exhaustive and judgment should be used depending on the situation and circumstances associated with the project. Even if a building permit is not required, compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required. 1. An uncovered platform (e.g. deck) provided: its finished deck level is not more than 60 cm (24 inches) above the adjacent finished grade; and/or it does not form part of an exit required under the building code; and complies with the Zoning Bylaw. 2. Installing a skylight in an existing building provided: the building is a house or small building (3 storeys or less) and the installation does not require the removal of more than one rafter, joist, or other similar structural member (with the exception of a truss); 3. Re-cladding of a house or small building (3 storeys or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer; 4. Adding or replacing insulation; 5. The replacement of windows or doors provided: there is no change in the location or size of the window and/or door; the structural support for the opening (i.e. lintel) is not affected; and a new exit is not created; 6. Replacing a furnace or boiler in a house; 7. The installation of additional cooling systems, gas fireplaces, air cleaners, in-line humidifiers, or hot water tanks in a house; 8. Repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures; 9. Replacing existing roofing material provided no structural work is required; 10. Finishing a basement of a house, if: the work does not include structural or material alterations; no additional dwelling unit(s) is (are) created (i.e. a second unit); and the work does not include the installation of new plumbing; 11. Undertaking waterproofing repairs to a basement; 12. Installation of cabinetry and millwork. 13. Plastic Sheet Covered Accessory Structures (i.e. snow canopies, driveway tents, automotive canopy) do not require a building permit if installed on or after October 15th and are removed on or before April 15th. Compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required. 14. Constructing a retaining wall that is on private property, not accessible to the public and/or where the height is less than 1 metre in height at any location. 15. A building permit is not required to install a sump pump. 16. A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with this Code, provided that the shed: is not more than 15 m2 in gross area, is not more than one storey in building height, is not attached to a building or any other structure, is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and does not have plumbing. 17. A tent or group of tents is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with the Code provided that the tent or group of tents are, not more than 60m2 in aggregate ground area, not attached to a building, and constructed more than 3 m from other structure.
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