Building and Construction

Whether you are building a new structure or renovating an existing one, our Building Division is here to help.

We follow the Ontario Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code to review plans, inspect construction and issue permits and orders.

It's important to make sure you understand the regulations that may affect your project. Keep reading through this section for information about our zoning, sign and property standards bylaws, applicable development charges and fees and more.

Building Permits

Building permit applications can electronically be submitted through e-mail to building@brant.ca or in-person at the Paris CSO.

To apply for a building permit, please visit our Building Permits page for more information on requirements.

Projects that require a Building Permit

The following list includes examples of projects that require a building permit. Please keep in mind, however, this is not a complete list. If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, please call us to discuss.

Building a detached garage, shed or accessory structure that are 10 square metres or 108 square feet or greater (measured to the outside face of exterior walls)
Building an attached carport or other roof structure of any size
Building a porch or deck greater than 24 inches above grade
Finishing the basement of a house
Adding a bedroom to the basement
Constructing an addition to a building
Building an enclosure for a swimming pool with a depth of 16 inches or greater
Creating a duplex (in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
Removing a load-bearing wall, column, lintel or beam
Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
Adding a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace
Installing a new window or door that increases the width of the existing opening
Mounting solar panels on roofs
Installing or altering a septic system
Installing site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
Building new residential dwellings
Demolishing a structure greater than 10 square metres or 108 square feet in building area
Installing a tent or group of tents that is more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building or constructed within three metres (nine feet and 10 inches) of any structure
Constructing or altering an industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential building
Farm Buildings

Building a detached garage, shed or accessory structure that are 108 square feet or greater (measured to the outside face of exterior walls)
Building an attached carport or other roof structure of any size
Building a porch or deck greater than 24 inches above grade
Finishing the basement of a house
Adding a bedroom to the basement
Constructing an addition to a building
Building an enclosure for a swimming pool with a depth of 36 inches or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
Creating a duplex (in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
Adding or relocating plumbing fixtures
Removing a load-bearing wall, column, lintel or beam
Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
Adding a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace
Installing a new window or door, or increasing the width of the existing opening
Building a retaining wall that is greater than three feet and three inches in height, pending location
Mounting solar panels to a building that have a face area of five square metres or greater
Installing or altering a septic system
Installing site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
Building new residential dwellings
Demolishing a structure greater than 108 square feet in building area
Installing a tent or group of tents that is more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building or constructed within three metres (nine feet and 10 inches) of any structure
Constructing or altering an industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential building
Installing a backflow prevention device for lawn irrigation systems connected to potable water
Changing the heating source in an existing building (ex. electric baseboard heaters replaced with forced air gas, or vice versa)

We do not review or inspect electrical work. Please contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (1-877-372-7233) for electrical permits.

Projects that do not require a Building Permit

The following list includes examples of projects that do not require a building permit:

Building a detached structure that's less than 108 square feet in size, measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)
Installing a gas fireplace
Building a fence - however, the fence must comply with the Fences bylaw
Installing a water softener
Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
Replacing a door or window within an existing opening, where no structural members are changed and no fire-resistance rating is in place
Installing new shingles on an existing roof
Removing a non-load-bearing wall in a single, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling
Replacing a plumbing fixture (toilet, bathtub or sink) with a new fixture in the same location
Demolishing any farm buildings

Inspections

Inspections do not happen automatically.

It is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that you or your contractor contact the Building Division to book an inspection. Failure to have inspections preformed may result in having to uncover and expose work for inspection.

Building inspections must be booked with a minimum of 24 hours notice and prior to 3pm to receive an inspection for the following business day(subject to availability). Any inspections booked after 3 pm will be booked for the second following business day.

To book an inspection:
Please call 519.442.INSP (519.442.4677) or email Buildinginsp@brant.ca. Please do not contact the inspector directly.
To cancel an inspection, please contact the Building Division at 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268)

You’ll need to provide the following information:

Project address
Contact name and telephone number
Type of Inspection type

During the inspection process:

The approved permit drawings must be on site
The permit must be posted on site
24-hour notice must be given for building inspections
Do not cover or continue construction until each inspection stage is reviewed
An inspection is required prior to the occupancy of a building
A final inspection is required to close a building permit

Required Inspections: House Construction

Excavation: prior to placing concrete - excavation for foundation complete, footing forms in place.
Foundation: prior to backfilling - footings, walls, damp proofing, drainage tile, and stone cover complete.
Framing: following electrical and mechanical rough ins - framing, including roofing, windows, doors, and stairs complete.
Plumbing: rough in - drains and vents, complete, (water or air test).
Fireplace/Chimney: commencement of construction - masonry, or factory built.
Insulation: installation - insulation, vapour barrier, and air barrier complete.
Final to permit occupancy: Permit to occupy a partially completed building requires, building is 80% complete, all health and life safety items complete and final electrical inspection by E.S.A.
Permit to occupy a completed building requires all building items complete

Required Inspections: Septic Systems

The following inspections are required for the construction of an O.B.C. Part 8, Class 4 Sewage System.

Conventional Inground Trench System

Tank Installation: prior to backfilling septic tank.
Leaching Bed Construction: prior to backfilling leaching bed (tile bed) trenches - distribution pipe, clear stone and protective paper or geo-textile fabric in place.
Final: following final grading of the leaching bed (tile bed) area.

Conventional Raised Bed System

Tank Installation: prior to backfilling septic tank.
Excavation: prior to placing imported leaching bed and mantle fill material - topsoil removed, subgrade graded and scarified.
Leaching Bed Construction: prior to backfilling leaching bed (tile bed) trenches -distribution pipe, clear stone and protective paper or geo textile fabric in place.
Final: following final grading of the leaching bed (tile bed) and mantle areas.

Filter Bed

Tank Installation: prior to backfilling septic tank.
Excavation: prior to placing imported filter bed and mantle material - topsoil removed, subgrade graded and scarified.
Filter Bed Medium: following placement of required imported filter sand.
Filter Bed Construction: prior to backfilling filter bed - distribution pipe, clear stone and protective paper or geo textile fabric in place.

Final: following final grading of the filter bed and mantle areas

Required Inspections: Accessory Buildings

The following inspections are required for accessory buildings (detached garages, sheds, small pole barns, and decks).

Excavation: before concrete is placed, for foundation, pier or post footings, and concrete slabs.
Framing: before windows, doors, interior or exterior finishes are installed.

Final Inspection: prior to use or occupancy of the building or deck.

Required Inspections: Wood Burning Appliances

The following inspections are required for the installation of a woodstove or factory build chimney.

Chimney installation: prior to closing in chimney - installation of ceiling or wall covering materials; or
Woodstove Installation: following installation of the woodstove - including installation of smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.

Final: prior to use of either the woodstove or a factory built chimney, may be combined with one of the above inspections

Monthly Building Reports

The Building Division produces monthly reports for building permit activity within the County of Brant.

2022

2021

2020

Building Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 7(4) of the Building Code Act, the County of Brant Building Division publishes an annual building financial report.

2021 Building Financial Report

Previous Years

2020 Building Financial Report

Wells Help Desk & Records

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) operates a public Wells Help Desk to help ensure that information is available to the public.

Wells on your Property

Information and rules for residential well owners, including the proper location, construction, maintenance and abandonment of a well can be found at Wells on your property.

Well Records & Requests

How to complete, submit or get a copy of a well record.

Well Records Map Tool

Septic Smart!

Be Septic Smart! - Understanding Your Home's Septic System

Access the following informative handbook for free!

Conventional Systems

This twelve page booklet helps you understand and care for your conventional septic systems

Click here to watch a series of videos developed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to learn more about how your septic system works!

Decommissioning Septic Tanks/Sewage Systems

The County of Brant encourages property owners to properly decommission your septic tank/sewage system when hooking up to municipal services or replacing an existing septic system.

Decommissioning Information Guide

Sewage System Maintenance Program

If you have a septic systems located within 100 metres of a municipal well, are in the most vulnerable part of the municipal well's two-year time-of-travel area, or located in an Issue Contributing Area, your septic system may be assessed as a significant threat to municipal drinking water sources.

In order to ensure the identified septic system in the County of Brant are properly maintained and functioning, the County of Brant follows the Mandatory On-Site Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program outlined in the Ontario Building Code, which supports the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act identifies sewage storage, including septic systems, as one of the 21 activities that can pose a significant threat to drinking water.

The Ontario Building Code requires all septic systems identified as threats to be inspected every five years after the most recent inspection.

For questions email smp@brant.ca.

Areas within the Wellhead Protect Area (WHPA) & Issue Contributing Area (ICA)

Bethel

Mt. Pleasant

Oakhill

Paris

St. George

Mapping of vulnerable areas is available at Lake Erie Source Protection Region Mapping Tool

Why focus on septic systems?

Septic systems, when properly designed, constructed and maintained, effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental threats posed by pollutants in the household wastewater. However, septic systems do require regular maintenance and they can fail.

Failed systems pose a serious public health risk and can contaminate surrounding ground water, and enter drinking water systems far beyond the property boundaries. There is a significant potential to cause serious illness.

Additional reference material

Lake Erie Source Protection Region

Lake Erie Source Protection Publications and Resources

County of Brant - Source Water Protection

Forms

If your property is located within the vulnerable areas mapping and your existing sewage system is required to be inspected under the guidelines of this program.

Property owners must retain the services of a qualified person in the category of onsite sewage systems with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Architect or Professional Engineer.

The qualified person must complete an inspection report and provide an inspection certificate outlining the condition of the sewage system.

Existing Septic System Inspection Report

Inspection Certificate

Septic System Records

A sewage system records search is available when you are looking to obtain your septic records for a renovation application, buying or selling a house or to locate your current system.

To request a search, please fill out the Sewage System Inquiry Form, and submit the form electronically through email to building@brant.ca or by leaving it in the drop box at the Paris Customer Service Office, 66 Grand River St N, Paris.

Notes:

We do not have records prior to 1999.
We only have records for properties we receive an application for.
The current property owner can obtain the septic record for their property at no charge. The owner must provide ID or a current property tax bill as proof of ownership.
Requests made by anyone other than the property owner, a flat fee of $100.00 is required.