Building and Drainage

The Chief Building Official requires the builder to post the Building Permit in a window or other prominent place at the site and to keep a copy of the building plan on site.

There are inspections required for a project at each major phase of the construction to be conducted by the Building Inspector. The individual responsible for the project must request each inspection 2 business days in advance to the Building Inspector. The Inspector's duty is to ensure that the project is being carried out according to the Building Code, the Building Permit and the approved building plans.

The Inspector's duty is to ensure that the project is being carried out according to the Building Code, the Building Permit and the approved building plans. The individual responsible for the project must request each inspection 2 business days in advance to the Building Inspector. If the Building Official finds, upon inspection, that some work does not conform to the approved plans or code, he will be advised (possibly with written notice) that the situation is to be remedied. If the violation is deemed serious enough, the Building Official may post a stop-work order which may be in effect until the problem is resolved. If work on the project continues without resolution of the problem, legal action may be taken against the builder.

To book an inspection for your permitted building project, contact Nicole at 519-485-2490 ext 7231 or by email. 

 The following home improvement projects do not require a building permit:

• A detached accessory structure (gazebo, tool shed, etc.) less than 15 m. sq. (161.5 sq. ft) in area or less*
• Paining and decorating
• Fences (not enclosing a pool – see Fence By-Law requirements)
• Landscaping
• Driveways (A Work and Road Use permit is required by Public Works Department)
• Kitchen/bathroom cupboards
• New flooring
• Replacing siding
• Repointing of brick veneer
• Replacing doors or windows (provided they are in the same size opening)
• Eaves troughs
• Other cosmetic work

**Note: Although a building permit may not be required, your project must still comply with the Ontario Building Code, Zoning By-Law and any other applicable law, regulations, and standards.

• Any structure over 10 sq. m (107.6 sq. ft.)
• Any addition to a structure, regardless of the size of the addition (including carports, garages, porches)
• Interior alternations for non-residential units
• Interior alterations for residential units if; a bedroom is created, a garage is converted to a living space, a seasonal room converted to a year-round use etc.
• Additional Residential Units
• Tents over 60 sq. m (645 sq. ft), or attached to a building or constructed closer than 3m from other structures
• Prefabricated structures
• Finishing an unfinished basement
• Installing solar panels
• Installation of solid fuel appliances (i.e. woodstoves and fire places)
• Plumbing systems, heating, ventilation
• Pools, decks
• Any structural changes or repairs
• A new entrance
• A deck
• A shed over 15 sq. m. (161.5 sq. ft)
• Enclosing a porch
• Any change of use to a greater hazard (see O.B.C 2.4.1.2)
• Signs installed on an exterior building face or roof
• Temporary buildings
• Converting from a well or septic to Town water or sanitary sewer

Please contact Mike Hughes, Chief Building Official at 519-485-2490 ext 7224 to verify the zoning requirements and to arrange an appointment for the issuance of a building permit.

 To create an account, complete the following steps:

1. Go to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com).
2. Click on "create new account" found under the "continue" arrow.
3. Enter your email address.
4. You will then receive an email from Cloudpermit. Open that email to complete the registration process.
5. Next time you visit the Cloudpermit site, login using the email and password you created using the steps above.

 To start an application, complete the following steps:

1. Go to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com).
2. Click "apply for a permit" in the upper righthand corner.
3. Create a new project and give it a name (some combination of your address and project type may help you keep track, if you are applying for multiple permits).
4. Once you click "next", you can provide the location of where the project will take place. You can find your property by typing in the address, roll number, or by finding it on a map. Once you have found the correct location, click "next".
5. Select the "Application Type" and "Category" before selecting "next" again.

Once you have completed the above steps, you will see a Summary. If you need to make changes, click "Back". If the information is correct, click "Create".

 Under "General", you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Under "Parties to the Application", you may add email addresses for any other people or companies that should have access to the application.
2. Under "Application Data", indicate what type of work you are doing and the type of building you will be working on. Once you do this, additional forms you need will appear.
3. Click on the forms and enter the required information.

Under "Attachments", you may be required to provide attachments like site plans, architectural drawings, etc.:

1. Click on "Attachments" to see what is required for your project.
2. Upload your items by dragging them into the grey box or by using the "Click Here" button to upload them from your computer.
3. Once you have uploaded the files, select the type of attachment before selecting "Done".

Repeat the steps above for all of the attachments that are required for your application. If at any time you need to change or update the attachments (before submitting your application), you can delete the file by clicking on the garbage can icon and upload it again.

Once you have completed the previous steps, you can submit your application by clicking ‘submit application’

After submission, you will receive:

• An email confirming that the status for the application is now submitted
• Subsequent emails regarding status
• An email when your building permit is ready for pick up and how to pay

 We offer a variety of payments options, including:

• EFT (electronic funds transfer).
• Cash, debit, or cheque at the Township Office.

Once you have received your permit and the work is underway, you will require our Building Inspector to visit your site and sign-off on your work at various points in the project. To book an inspection, complete the following steps:

1. Login to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com) and select "Go to Project" under the project requiring an inspection.
2. Select the application by clicking the address. A page will appear with the details of your project's location. At the bottom of that page, you will see the heading "Work & Construction" and a box titled "Inspections".
3. Click on "Show Upcoming Inspections" and select "Request Inspection" under the building element you are ready to have reviewed.
4. Under the "New Inspection Request" that appears, select the date and time you would like to request.
5. You will see the unconfirmed request listed. Once our staff receive your request, you will get an email confirmation for the inspection.

If you need to change the date or time, or cancel the request, select "Modify Request".