When is a Building Permit Required?

As the building owner, you are ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.

The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit. The list is not exhaustive.

1. Construct a new building
2. Construct an addition to an existing building, such as
   • second or third story additions
   • attached garages, carports
   • sunrooms
   • solariums, porches, decks
3. Make structural or material alterations, such as
   • adding or removing walls (i.e., changing room sizes and/or uses)
   • new windows or doors where there were none before
   • enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors
   • enclosing an existing deck, porch or patio of any size
4. Construct a shed with an area of 15 square meters (161 square feet) or more.
   • • Note: Sheds under 15 square metres in area, do not need a building permit.  See “When is a Building Permit not required?” below for exceptions to this rule
5. Construct an accessory structure larger than 10 square meters (107 square feet) in area, such as
   • Detached Garage
   • Workshop
   • Carport
   • Pool house or cabana
     • *Note: If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has plumbing, regardless of its size, a building permit is required.
6. Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following,
   • structural or material alterations
   • installing or modifying heating and or plumbing systems
   • excavating and/or constructing foundations
   • basement underpinning
   • constructing a basement entrance
   • adding a second suite
7. Energy and environmental building improvements, such as
   • roof top storm water retention systems
   • green roofs
   • structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW
   • solar projects such as installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems
8. Construct a deck more than 60 centimeters (24 inches) above ground
9. Construct a retaining wall more than one meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height provided the retaining wall is on or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances, and on private property accessible to the public
10. Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building
11. Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace
12. Install a wood burning stove or fireplace
13. Install or modify heating and or plumbing systems
14. Install a backwater valve
15. Install a backflow prevention device
16. Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.

When is a Building Permit Not Required?

The following are examples of work which do not require a building permit and are not subject to the provisions of the building code. However, please note that this list is not exhaustive and judgment should be used depending on the situation and circumstances associated with the project. Even if a building permit is not required, compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.

1. An uncovered platform (e.g. deck) provided:
   • its finished deck level is not more than 60 cm (24 inches) above the adjacent finished grade; and/or
   • it does not form part of an exit required under the building code; and
   • complies with the Zoning Bylaw.
2. Installing a skylight in an existing building provided:
   • the building is a house or small building (3 storeys or less) and
   • the installation does not require the removal of more than one rafter, joist, or other similar structural member (with the exception of a truss);
3. Re-cladding of a house or small building (3 storeys or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer;
4. Adding or replacing insulation;
5. The replacement of windows or doors provided:
   • there is no change in the location or size of the window and/or door;
   • the structural support for the opening (i.e. lintel) is not affected; and
   • a new exit is not created;
6. Replacing a furnace or boiler in a house;
7. The installation of additional cooling systems, gas fireplaces, air cleaners, in-line humidifiers, or hot water tanks in a house;
8. Repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures;
9. Replacing existing roofing material provided no structural work is required;
10. Finishing a basement of a house, if:
    • the work does not include structural or material alterations;
    • no additional dwelling unit(s) is (are) created (i.e. a second unit); and
    • the work does not include the installation of new plumbing;
11. Undertaking waterproofing repairs to a basement;
12. Installation of cabinetry and millwork.
13. Plastic Sheet Covered Accessory Structures (i.e. snow canopies, driveway tents, automotive canopy) do not require a building permit if installed on or after October 15th and are removed on or before April 15th. Compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.
14. Constructing a retaining wall that is on private property, not accessible to the public and/or where the height is less than 1 metre in height at any location.
15. A building permit is not required to install a sump pump.
16. A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with this Code, provided that the shed:

• is not more than 15 m2 in gross area,
• 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 have plumbing.

17. A tent or group of tents is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act  and is exempt from compliance with the Code provided that the tent or group of tents are,

• not more than 60m2 in aggregate ground area,
• not attached to a building, and
• constructed more than 3 m from other structure.

Permit fees shall be calculated based on the formula given below unless otherwise specified in this schedule:

In Toronto for example a Building permit has a Minimum fee of $206.53 (2025) shall be charged for all work.

An hourly fee $89.22 (2025) shall be charged for examination and inspection activities.

Fee Calculation Formula:

• Permit fee = SI x A
• SI = Service Index for classification of proposed work
• A = Floor area in m2 of work involved of work involved