Building
Services

Building permits allow the municipality to protect the interest of both individuals and the community as a whole. By reviewing and approving building plans before any work is done, the municipality can ensure that buildings comply with:

• The Building Code, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health and safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation;
• The Comprehensive Zoning By-law and other planning controls on buildings;
• Other applicable legislation, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry approval and certain requirements under the Environmental Protection Act.

You must obtain a building permit before you:

• Construct any new buildings over ten square metres in area (if constructing a building under the size, be sure you meet the requirements of the Comprehensive Zoning By-law in regards to building use (for example a sleeping cabin must be greater than ten square metres), setbacks, lot coverage, etc)
• Construction or renovation of a dock;
• Make renovation or repairs or add to a building;
• Excavate or construct a foundation;
• Construct a seasonal building;
• A solar collector that is mounted on a building and has a face area equal to other greater than 5 square metres;

Contact the building department if you have any questions about when a building permit is required.

You can get an application for a building permit by using the Cloud Permit system.  

The building department will review your application to confirm that the purpose of work complies with the Building Code and other applicable laws set out in the Building Code, such as the Comprehensive Zoning By-law. Your application may be sent to other departments within the Township for comments.

Applications for simple alteration or addition can be processed fairly quickly, but more complex proposals may take longer. The Building Code requires that a municipality review a permit application within a certain time frame where the application meets the criteria set out in the code.

In order to be issued a permit, proposed construction must comply with the Building Code and with the applicable laws (such as zoning by-law) set out in the Building Code. If you need a zoning change or a minor variance from the zoning by-law, or, if the proposed construction does not comply with the Building Code, a permit will not be issued until the zoning or minor variance has been obtained, or the proposed construction complies with the Building Code.

If your property is covered by a site plan control by-law, no one can undertake any development unless the Township has reviewed and approved certain plans. Once the plans are approved, a site plan agreement is sometimes implemented. The agreement contractually binds the owner to develop and maintain a site in accordance with the approved plans and terms of the agreement.

If the problem relates to compliance with other applicable laws, such as interpretation of the zoning by-law you can appeal to a judge of the Superior Court of Justice, who will review the zoning by-law. You may want to talk to a lawyer first.

The Building Code sets out the stage of construction of which different types of buildings require inspections. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to contact the Township for an Inspection when the project is at the stage of construction set out in the Building Code. The Township’s building official is required to conduct the inspection within two working days of being notified. During the inspection, a building 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:

• Show your permit in a window or other place where it can be easily seen;
• Keep copies of the approved plans on site;
• Tell the Township about any changes to the proposed construction, which will also have to be approved by the building department.

The Building Inspector must always be able to see the work. If it’s different from the work that was approved and, unless you get permission from a revision to your plans, you will be told to correct it. If you don’t, the Township can take enforcement actions, such as issuing orders under the Building Code Act, 1992.