Frequently Asked Questions

The time required for processing a Building Permit application is between 10 to 30 business days, depending on its class and size determination as follows:

10 days

Houses and semi-detached houses including:

• Additions, renovations
• Attached garages, carports
• Decks 55 square metres in area or less
• Sheds, garages, carports, ARUs, etc. 55 square metres in area or less
• Tents
• Signs
• Demountable stages or support structures

15 days

• Decks and detached structures greater than 55 square metres in area
• ARUs located above or below an existing dwelling unit (ex. basement apartment)
• Town houses or Row houses.
• Buildings other than those described above, where Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
  • 3 or fewer storeys in height
  • Building area less than 600 square metres
  • Major Occupancies classified as:
    • Residential
    • Business and Personal Services (ex. Offices)
    • Mercantile (ex. Retail stores)
    • Medium or low hazard industrial
• Farm Buildings not exceeding 600 square metres in building area

20 Days

• Buildings where Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
  • More than 3 storeys
  • Greater than 600 square metres in building area
  • Major Occupancies classified as:
    • Assembly (including restaurants over 30 seats)
    • Care or Detention
    • Residential
    • Business and Personal Services
    • Mercantile
    • High, medium or low hazard industrial
• Farm buildings exceeding 600 square metres in building area

30 days

• Post-disaster buildings
• High buildings to which Ontario Building Code applies
• Buildings with interconnected floor areas to which Ontario Building Code applies

The above timelines are for complete permit applications. A complete application is one that meets zoning requirements, all applicable laws & the submitted drawings provide all the required information.

Please be advised that Staff will provide assistance to the applicant but must refrain from acting in the capacity of a designer.

You have six months after the permit is issued to start construction. Once construction commences, the permit will not expire, although, it can still be revoked as per section 8 of the Building Code Act if construction discontinues for more than one year

It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure required approvals from other agencies (where applicable) prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Yes, you must post your Building Permit for the duration of construction, in a visible location on-site in order to permit the public and the Building Inspector to view the permit.

A BCIN (Building Code Identification Number) is issued to designers by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

In general, designers other than professional engineers and architects that engage in the following 'design activities” are required to meet the qualification/registration requirements under the Building Code:

• Preparing a design as part of a building permit application;
• Giving information or an opinion concerning whether a building or part of a building complies with the Building Code if the information or opinion is to be submitted to a chief building official in connection with a building permit application; and
• Preparing a written report for submission to the chief building official based on a general review, where a general review is required by the Building Code.

Homeowner's who do their own design work are not required to obtain a BCIN.

A Site Plan is a drawing of the full extent of your property showing the clearly labelled location and all dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, including placement of septic system (if applicable) and well (if applicable). Site plans are required for all building projects affecting land area.

View the Site Plan Guide and Example Plans (PDF)

a) Missing information (e.g. application is incomplete, dimensions are missing, not all drawings provided, etc.).

b) Poor quality of plans (due to lack of knowledge of drafting techniques resulting in missed information or poorly drawn diagrams).

c) Inaccurate or incomplete septic information (if applicable).

d) Schedule 1: Designer Information page of application form is not completed or not signed.

e) Volume of applications (greatest volume is received between May and September).

Failure to obtain a Building Permit prior to commencing construction may place both the property owner and the contractor in contravention of the Building Code Act, which means both parties are breaking the law.

a) Once discovered, you will still need to apply for a permit, and your building permit fees may be doubled in accordance with the Building By-Law.

b) It may be necessary to uncover components of your project so that these items can be inspected (e.g. remove drywall so that insulation and framing can be inspected etc.). You may need to hire an engineer (at your expense) to review the completed work.

c) You may be required to pay for any costs incurred by the County that is associated with the unapproved construction, including investigation and enforcement.

d) The Building Code Act also provides the following penalties:

“36(3) Penalties. A person who is convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of not more than $50,000 for a first offence and to a fine of not more than $100,000 for a subsequent offence.”

“36(4) Corporations. If a corporation is convicted of an offence, the maximum penalty that may be imposed upon the corporation is $500,000 for a first offence and $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence and not as provided in subsection (3).”

“3(6) Continuing Offence. Every person who fails to comply with an order made by a Chief Building Official under subsection 14(1) or clause 15.9(6)(a) or 15.10.3.(8)(a) is guilty of an offence and on conviction, in addition to the penalties mentioned in subsections (3) and (4), is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000 per day for every day the offence continues and after the time given for complying with the order has expired.”

Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse. There are legal implications for you and your contractor if construction is started without a permit.