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Building Permits

HomeResident ServicesBuilding and Construction Building Permits
 
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Building Permit Packages

Depending on the type of Building Permit required, there are several documents that must be included in the application. The Building Permit Packages below include all the documents needed for that type of permit. 

In many instances before a building permit application can be processed and a permit issued, there are other approvals from other agencies that are required. These approvals are not administered by the Building Division. Please ensure all required approvals are complete using the Applicable Law Checklist. 

Review the "How To" Guide to complete the below application forms.

Accessory Buildings 

Accessory buildings may include a detached garage, workshop, shed, pool house or gazebos greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet).

Accessory Buildings Permit Package 

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 and 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 or change of plumbing.

Additions and Renovations Permit Package

Additional Residential Unit (Secondary Unit)

Additional residential unit, sometimes referred to as a secondary unit, are a self-contained unit that is either located within or attached to the primary dwelling unit or located within a detached accessory structure, subject to zoning requirements and restrictions. 

There are several important factors you need to consider before adding an additional residential unit, including;

  • zoning bylaw requirements
  • designing your unit to comply with the Ontario Building Code
  • necessary building permits

Do you have questions about adding an Additional Residential Unit (or ARU) to your property?  More information can be found at County of Brant - Planning your ARU.

The Province of Ontario has put together some basic information for property owners who are considering an ARU project; 'Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House' Guide and 'Build or Buy a Tiny Home' guide, by visiting the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website, or by searching for more information on the 'More Homes, More Choice Act' Housing Supply Action Plan. 

Additional Residential Unit Permit Package - Interior/Addition (within Principal Dwelling)

Additional Residential Unit Permit Package - Detached Accessory Structure 

Would my proposed ARU meet the County of Brant requirements? 
 For preliminary review of your proposed ARU please submit the Worksheet - Interior/Addition(within Principal Dwelling) or Detached Accessory Structure and detailed site plan to building@brant.ca for comments. 

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.

Deck Permit Package

Demolition

A demolition permit is required to demolish, or partially demolish, a structure, greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet), except for farm buildings.

Demolition Permit Package

Farm Buildings 
A farm building is a term defined in Division A, Part 1 of the Ontario Building Code as all or part of a building, that does not contain any area used for residential occupancy, that is associated with and located on land devoted to the practice of farming and that is used essentially for the housing of equipment or livestock, or the production, storage, or processing of agricultural and horticultural produce or feeds. According to Appendix A of the consolidated Ontario Building Code, farm buildings include, but are not limited to:
  • Produce storage and packing facilities
  • Livestock and poultry housing
  • Milking centres
  • Manure storage facilities
  • Grain bins, silos, and feed preparation areas
  • Farm workshops
  • Greenhouses
  • Farm retail centres
  • Horse riding, exercising, and training facilities

Farm Buildings Permit Package

Farm Buildings - Livestock and Manure Storage Permit Package

New Residential Buildings

A building permit is required for the construction of a single detached home, semi-detached home, and townhouses.

The Public Works Department administrates and issues a permit for works constructed in the municipal right of way, including but not limited to a road entrance, connection to the watermain or municipal sanitary sewer. To obtain approvals or a public works permit, contact the Public Works Department at publicworks@brant.ca. Public Works approval is required before a building permit can be issued. 

Residential Buildings Permit Package

Non-residential (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) 

A building permit is required for the construction of a new building, an addition to an existing building, or interior alteration of a non-residential (ICI) building.  

Non-residential (ICI) - New/Addition

Non-residential (ICI) - Interior Renovations

 When is a permit required? (ICI projects)
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 or email us to discuss.
  • Change of use (where construction is proposed or the change constitutes an increase in the hazard index)
  • Interior renovations within a floor area affecting fire separations, exits or structural capacity
  • Interior finishing of shell buildings for tenants 
  • Fire and water damages affective interior renovations within a floor area affective fire separations, exits or structural capacity
  • Additions to any building having a combined area of 10 square metres (108 square feet) or greater
  • Installations and major alterations of sprinkler, standpipe, fire alarm or mechanical (HVAC) systems
  • Plumbing installations and alterations, except replacement of fixtures
  • Installation or replacement of storm and sanitary sewers, water services and change from septic system to sewers
  • Installation and repairs to sewage systems
  • Retaining walls exceeding 1 metre in exposed height adjacent to public property, access to a building, or private property to which the public is admitted
Pools

If you are proposing to install a privately-owned swimming pool on your property a proper pool enclosure must be installed that meets the requirements of the County of Brant's fence bylaw.

You must obtain a swimming pool enclosure permit from the County of Brant Building Division to ensure that your pool enclosure meets the requirements set out in the fence bylaw.

You may be required to have a grading plan prepared by a professional engineer in order to obtain a permit, please consult grading@brant.ca for more information. Ensure with any new residential lots you confirm with your builder your lot grading certification has been completed.

Pools Permit Package 

Septic - New / Replacement / Repairs

Sewage system permits are required to ensure properly functioning sewage systems are installed and meet the minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code

New or Replacement Permit Package

Repairs/Alterations Permit Package

Septic Tank Permit Package

Signs

The Ontario Building Code requires that a building permit be issued for signs that are attached to a building or are a designated structure.

Signs Permit Package

 Solar Panels

Building permits are required for any solar panel installations that have an aggregate face area of 5 square metres (54 square feet) or greater that is mounted to a building or structure or designed to provide hot water, or designed to provide primary or supplementary heating.  

Permits are not required for ground mounted solar panel systems that are not connected to water or heating sources.

Solar Panel Permit Package

Water and Sewer Connections 

Water and sanitary sewer connection permits are required when a water or sanitary sewer service is constructed, repaired, or altered on private property.

Water and Sewer Connections Package 

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 and 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).

Wood Burning Appliances Permit Package

Tents 

A tent permit is required for a tent or group of tents if the area is greater than 60 square metres (646 square feet).

A permit is not required for a tent or group of tents if:

  • Ground area is less than 60 square metres (646 square feet), 
  • Detached from all buildings, and 
  • Constructed more than 3 metres from other structures

Tent Permit Package 

How to apply for a Building Permit

Building permit applications can be electronically submitted through email to building@brant.ca or submit your forms and required paperwork by leaving it in the drop box at the Paris Customer Service Office, 66 Grand River St. N., Paris.  

Please note that applications are not considered accepted until the permit fee is paid. Please refer to:

    • The Permit and Inspection Fees schedule. 
    • Development Charges may be associated with the building permits and vary based on permit type. 
    • Development Engineering Lot Grading Review and Refundable Securities may be associated with your building permits and vary based on permit type. 
Review periods for Building Permit Applications 

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

10 Days 

  • Houses and semi-detached houses including:
    • Additions, renovations
    • Decks
    • Attached garages, carports
  • Detached structures 
    • Sheds, Garages, Carports
  • Tents
  • Signs

15 Days

  • 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
    • Building area less than 600 square metres
    • 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.

How long is my permit valid?  

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

Applications and Forms 

Here are the typical forms you must complete and include in your package when applying to us for a building permit:

  • Application for a Permit 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Information
  • Schedule 2: Sewage System Installer Information

Additional Standard Forms

  • Applicant Authorization Form
  • Applicable Laws Checklist 
  • Commitment to General Review by Architect or Engineer
  • Disconnection of Services - Demolition Permit 
  • EEDS Energy Efficiency Design Summary (Prescriptive Method)
  • EEDS Energy Efficiency Design Summary (Performance and Other Acceptable Compliance Methods)
  • Septic Worksheet  
  • Supplementary Standard SB-10
  • Tree Conservation Worksheet

Explanation of Drawings

Depending on the type of permit, there may be drawings required as part of the application. Below is a list of the different types of drawing required and what they entail. 

Site Plan
A site plan is a drawing showing the complete property and identifying all structures in relation to the property boundaries and each other. A property survey is a common template for developing a site plan. The site plan should include:
  • Title and scale
  • North Arrow
  • Street locations and names
  • Lot lines and dimensions to all buildings
  • Existing and proposed buildings including their areas
  • Proposed changes to existing grade if any
  • Rights-of-ways and easements
  • Access and parking
  • Hydro Service to property, if applicable
Floor Plans
A floor plan is a drawing of the building showing each floor including basement and crawlspaces from above. Floor plans should include:
  • Title and scale
  • Use of rooms and spaces (labels)
  • Dimensions
  • The extent of new proposed construction, including construction in existing structures
  • Sizes of all door and window openings
  • Cross-section locations and directions
  • Material specifications and notes
  • Locations of all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  • All required fire separations
  • All floor joist, roof rafter, lintels and beams sizes, dimensions and direction of span
Elevations
Elevations show the exterior of the building from all sides. Each elevation is to be labelled by the direction it is facing, and shall include:
  • Title and scale
  • Extent of new and proposed construction
  • Exterior wall finishes, cladding and flashing
  • Dimensioned finished floor levels
  • Grade level
  • Overall height of structure and roof slopes
Cross-Section
A cross-section represents a view of a building along an imaginary line cut through the building in correspondence with the section line drawn on the floor plan. A cross-section illustrates all elements within the walls being cut through and should include:
  • Title and scale
  • Details of footings, foundation walls, exterior wall construction including air barrier, floor and roof framing details
  • Size and type of materials and finishes
  • Dimensioned finished floor levels
  • Grade level
  • Attic and crawlspace ventilation
Roof Framing Plan
Existing and new roof and ceiling framing must be indicated on the plans.  If engineered roof trusses are going to be used then the truss layout and designs are required to be submitted with the building permit application.

Call Before You Dig! Utility Locates

The Building Division is not responsible for locating public utilities on your property such as hydro, natural gas, water or sanitary services, etc. 

Before you dig, Build Smart. Build Safe. and call Ontario One Call (ON1Call) at 1.800.400.2255 or contact them online to get a locate in advance.  Failure to locate your utilities can result in personal or property injury or delays in construction. 

If you're on septic - be sure you know where you septic tank and septic bed are located.

 

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Paris Customer Service Office
66 Grand River Street N, Paris
Open Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Burford Customer Service Office
26 Park Avenue, Burford
Open Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

All Customer Service Offices will be closed on Friday, July 1, 2022 for Canada Day. 

T. 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268)
T.F. 1.855.44BRANT
E. info@brant.ca 

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