Small Residential Projects Building Permits
There are many building projects around your home that may require a building permit before you construct.
Accessory Buildings
Additions and Renovations
Decks
Wood Burning Appliances
Accessory Buildings
Accessory buildings may include a detached garage, pool house, gazebos, shade structures and more.
A permit is required for an accessory building or structure that is detached, that is greater than 10 square metres. (108 square feet) in size or contains plumbing fixtures.
A shed is considered a simple roofed structure, typically made of wood or metal, and is exempt from obtaining a building permit provided that the shed,
- is not more than 15 square metres (161 square feet),
- 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 contain plumbing.
Accessory Buildings Permit Package (PDF)
Additions and Renovations
A building permit is required for the construction of an addition, or alteration of a residential building.
Additions may include:
- sunrooms
- attached garages
- one or two storey additions
Interior Renovations that require a building permit include:
- finishing an unfinished space in a home such as a basement
- adding or removing walls
- structural changes and addition
- change of plumbing
- Additions and Renovations Permit Package (PDF)
Decks
A building permit for a deck is required when the deck is over 24 inches (2 feet) above grade at any point or if the deck has a roof.
Wood Burning Appliances
A building permit is required for:
- the installation of a new or used wood stove
- new chimney
- a factory-built fireplace or
- hearth-mounted stove inside or attached to a building
The unit must comply with the Ontario Building Code for clearances from combustible materials.
A building permit is not required for outdoor furnaces if the building in which they are enclosed is under 10 square metres (108 square feet).