Depending on the scale of your project and what structural impact the renovation will have on the building, you may need permits. Our specialized project managers will discuss your project in detail and would advise you if you do need permits.
To obtain a building permit, a homeowner must submit an application to the district office where the home is located requesting necessary permits. Depending on the type and the size of the renovation there will be fees required to pay before processing the building permit. Once the prerequisites have been met, The Toronto building staff will review your plans in order to make sure they comply with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning by-laws, as well as other applicable regulations.
How to monitor the Building Permit Application online?
The building application process can be monitored online from the city’s website. Building permits are valid for the duration of the ongoing construction. However, if the work hasn’t started yet or has stopped, the permit is valid for up to six months and a building inspector can provide an extension to your permit.
Apart from the building permit — which is formal permission from your municipality to begin construction, demolition, addition, or renovation — there are other special types of permits you might need:
heating permits, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) permits, plumbing permits, demolition permits, sign permits, or sign variance permits.
When do you need to apply for Building Permits?
In Ontario, you need a permit for the following renovations:
- Constructing accessory buildings with an area of more than 10 square metres, or an addition to an existing building
- Constructing attached or detached garages
- Structural alterations
- Excavating, repairing or underpinning a foundation
- Heating ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, or electrical work
- Constructing one or more new separate dwelling units within a building
- Finishing previously unfinished spaces within a building
- Adding new entrances or windows, changing the size of entrances or windows, or closing entrances or windows
- Constructing chimneys or fireplaces
- Installing swimming pool enclosures, constructing detached decks more than 60.96 centimetres above ground, or building any deck attached to a building
- Demolishing or relocating all or part of a building
On the other hand, you won’t need a permit for these renovations:
- Replacing stucco, siding, or shingles with the same material
- Replacing doors or windows without altering the opening,
- Constructing fences (except pool enclosure fences)
- Patching, painting and decorating
- Installing cabinets or shelves
If you need help to apply for a building permit, we work with professional engineers who can help to get the necessary documents together for the application.
