Do I need a building permit? |
Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must have an approved building permit for the construction of a new building or addition, change of use, or if you are altering any building or structure with a building area of over 10 m2. |
Do I need a permit for building a deck? |
You need a permit for decks that are:
- Adjacent to or attached to the house, and its walking surface is more than 600 millimetres (24 inches) above the adjacent grade;
- Elevated and providing principal access to a building;
- Independent from the house and has a walking surface greater than 10 m2 (108 square feet) in area and its walking surface is more than 600 millimetres (24 inches) above the adjacent grade.
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Do I need a permit for interior and/or exterior renovations? |
A permit is required for interior and exterior alterations, including:
- Adding or removing walls, or a new opening in bearing walls;
- Finishing a basement and/or adding a bedroom in a finished basement;
- One- or two-storey additions;
- Adding new windows where none existed before;
- Enlarging or relocating a window or a door;
- Adding new plumbing (e.g., drains, waste or vents);
- Installing a backflow prevention device.
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What are some common projects that need a permit include?
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- Demolition;
- Adding an attached and detached garage or shed;
- Installing solid-fuel appliances like woodstoves and wood burning fireplaces;
- Adding sunrooms, solariums, and porches;
- Repairing structural foundations and installing of foundation drainage systems;
- Adding a new, private on-site sewage system, including grey water systems and holding tanks;
- Repairing or replacing a septic system or leaching bed;
- Connecting a private septic system to a municipal sewer and decommissioning a septic tank;
- Change of Use (i.e. office use to retail use);
- Structures that support a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3 kilowatts;
- Solar arrays, solar collector systems, and solar hot water systems mounted on a roof;
- Livestock and equipment storage buildings;
- Silos and grain bins;
- Manure storage structures (excluding earthen structures);
- Riding arena;
- Fabric-type structures.
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What are some common projects that do not require a permit? |
- Replacing or installing asphalt shingles on a roof;
- Minor roof sheathing repairs;
- Repointing brick veneer;
- Damp-proofing of a basement;
- Replacing siding on a house;
- Replacing a window or a door (if same size or smaller opening);
- Kitchen or bathroom cabinets;
- New flooring;
- Installing air conditioning units;
- Replacing an existing furnace;
- Fences that do not enclose a pool;
- Pool heaters;
- Painting or decorating.
Sheds or structures 10 m2 or less that are stand-alone structures also do not require a permit; however, their placement must still meet zoning requirements.
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