Guide to Building

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Why have a building permit?

"Why bother with a building permit? It's an extra expense and hassle. I can do the job fine myself - or - my contractor knows what he's doing. My neighbour got away without a permit..."

Think again ... The building permit, the inspection process, the final inspection "pass" and the occupancy certificate are all part of Ontario's Building Code, developed by our democratic system to protect the safety of citizens both individually and generally:

Safety - Inspections are checkpoints to ensure that the project meets health, safety and other criteria from the Ontario Building Code. Municipalities are charged with enforcing the building regulations for the province, and building permits are legally required under the Building Code Act.
Consumer Protection - The building permit, plans review, inspections and occupancy approval all work together to provide consumer protection for the homeowner, ensuring that the project is completed to Code and as per the contractor's obligations.
Future Sale - Prospective buyers and their lawyers ask to review municipal records at the time of purchase to check that permits were issued and completed.
Insurance Claim - You might want to check with your insurance company to see if they would cover you... if your no-permit woodstove caused a fire... or your illegal greywater system contaminated a neighbour's well...

Public Health - All of Tay Valley's water and sewage disposal is privately owned. But if your system is undersized or overworked, it is a hazard to you and your neighbours - to the water we drink and the lakes and rivers we use for recreation.
Land Use Zoning - The municipal planner checks the zoning requirements for your property - to prevent over-building and make sure your project is set back enough from property lines - for example, an illegal garage that's too close to the cottage road could block access for emergency vehicles.
Local Business - Builders and subcontractors who do not obtain building permits undercut legitimate builders who are part of the local construction industry, a significant employer.

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

A permit IS required when you	A permit is NOT required when you
construct a new building, including temporary and farm buildings	construct a detached accessory building that is 10 m² (108 sq. ft.) in area or less
renovate a building	paint and decorate
construct an addition to a building, including sunrooms - any size alter the interior of a building, including finishing a basement	install kitchen or bathroom cupboards (but you need to be aware of minimum clearances required between cooking appliances and combustible cabinets and finishes)
build a deck or gazebo over 10 m² or attached to a building	do landscaping
move or demolish* a building	install roof shingling (except clay tile roof)
change the use or occupancy of a building	install eavestroughing
install a sprinkler system or fire alarm system in a building	make minor repairs to non-structural bricks or blocks
install a fireplace, woodstove, pellet stove or chimney	damp-proof a basement
alter or remodel a plumbing system
install a swimming pool (check the swimming pool by-law also)
construct a retaining wall higher than 1 metre
If your project isn't listed here, please check with us!

*When a demolition permit is completed, the building is removed from your tax assessment, possibly reducing your property tax. Demolition permits are not required for farm buildings, but there may be a tax impact worth checking out.

How long does it take to get a building permit?

With a COMPLETE application for (a) or (b), the Chief Building Official (CBO) must issue or refuse a permit within ten (10) business days:

(a) A detached house, semi-detached house, townhouse, or row house where no dwelling unit is located above another dwelling unit.
(b) A detached structure that serves a building described in Clause (a) and does not exceed 55 m² in building area.

With a COMPLETE application for (c), the Chief Building Official (CBO) must issue or refuse a permit within fifteen (15) business days:

With a COMPLETE application for other types of construction, additional time is required for as noted in Ontario Building Code.

What are the building permit fees?

Permit fees are calculated based on size and type of construction. The Chief Building Official will advise you of the fees after review of your complete application. There is an additional deposit with each permit that is refundable after the final successful inspection - it varies from $250 to $1,500 depending on the type of project and location. All fees are payable when the building permit is issued. Refer to By-Law 2020-054 for a schedule of Building Permit Fees for 2021.

Obtain a valid Township Building Permit BEFORE starting any construction or demolition.

Permits issued after a project starts are subject to a 100% surcharge (minimum $500).

Additional Resources

Building By-Law
Building By-Law Amendment #1
Call Before You Dig
Citizen's Guide to Building Permits
Ontario Building Code