Building Permits and Applications

Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must obtain a permit to construct, demolish, renovate, or alter a building. Construction cannot begin until you have been issued a permit.

New Ontario Building Code coming soon

Ontario has released a new Building Code for the province, which will take effect on January 1st, 2025. The 2024 Ontario Building Code better aligns with the National Construction Code, with over 1730 technical changes.

More information to come soon.

Before you start your application

Confirm whether a permit is needed for your project
Check the zoning for your project location using our interactive zoning map or by contacting the Building Division to find out if there are any restrictions on what you can build.
Confirm whether your project requires approval from agencies other than the County by completing an applicable law checklist. Where additional approvals are required, you must obtain them before you can apply for permits.
Book a locate request to safely identify any buried infrastructure on the property through Ontario One Call.
Gather the forms, drawings and plans that must be submitted with your application.

Building permit process

Permit applications can be submitted by the property owner or by an agent on behalf of the property owner, such as a contractor or designer. Note that the Owners Authorization form (PDF) is required when a contractor or designer is applying for the Building Permit.

Review what you should do before applying for a permit
Submit your permit application through our online portal
Zoning By-law review
Pay the applicable fees
We will process your application within a defined timeline based on completeness and complexity
The building department will review your application form, and if approved, you will be issued your permit via email, and can then begin construction. Additional fees may be applicable depending on permit type
Arrange inspections as required

Applying for your permit

After you've completed all required forms and documents, submit your application through our online portal. Once you've started your application, you can save it at any time and finish your submission within 30 days. After 30 days, your incomplete application will be deleted and you must begin the process again.

Once registered on the portal, you will be able to apply, upload documents, pay fees, check your permit's status and request inspections.

Start your application

If you require help at any time during the building permit process, contact staff in our Building division for assistance.

When a permit is required

Our Building Officials inspect the construction of structures and buildings in the County to ensure the health and safety of our community. If you are planning a construction project, be sure to confirm if you need a building permit.

If you can’t find your project listed and are unsure if a permit is required, contact a Building Inspector for guidance.

Projects that require a permit

These categories correspond with the application types you will use to apply for on our portal site.

Accessory Structures

A shed or similar structure, including garages, residential greenhouses, boathouses, gazebos, and pool houses/cabanas, that features any of the following:

A gross area greater than 15 square metres (161.46 square feet) when used for accessory storage purposes. A permit is required for accessory buildings greater than 10 square metres when used for purposes other than storage as per the Ontario Building Code Division C 1.3.1.1.(6). Accessory buildings that do not require a building permit are still required to conform with the provisions in the zoning by-law for accessory structures.
More than one storey in building height
Has plumbing (regardless of building size)

Additions/Alterations

Alterations and additions include:

Any attached structure to an existing building (additional living space, garage, farm expansion)
Creating new window/door openings or enlarging existing ones, below grade entrances
Adding a bathroom or plumbing fixtures, modifying existing plumbing, or adding a backwater valve
Removing or altering load-bearing walls, beams, columns, and lintels
Altering the existing roof layout
Adding a bedroom to a basement
Re-insulating walls, floors, ceiling/attic space
Adding or altering a fireplace or solid fuel burning appliance
Sunrooms

Decks

A deck/porch structure that features any of the following:

is uncovered and higher than 0.3 metres (12 inches) above grade
Attached to a building resulting in a combined area of 10 square metres (108 square feet). Includes extensions to existing decks and rebuilding existing decks
Height greater than, or equal to, 0.6 metres (24 inches) above grade at any point will require rails, guards, and stairs in accordance with the Ontario Building Code.
Covered decks and porches always require a permit

Be sure to check on height restrictions in the Zoning By-law for your area. Setbacks must comply with Zoning By-law (even if no permit is required).

View sample deck drawings (PDF)

Demolition

This applies to the demolition of buildings greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet) in building area

A permit is not required for the demolition of a farm building located on a farm.

Note:

A Professional Engineer is required to undertake the commitment to general review of the project during demolition only, where a building is:

Exceeding three storeys in height or 600 square metres in building area
With pre-tensioned and post-tensioned members
Where the demolition will extend below the level of the footings of any adjacent building and within the angle of repose
Where explosives/lasers are used during demolition

Foundation

Applies to foundations being repaired (structural damage, cracking, bowing, changing foundation material), applying drainage and damp proofing/waterproofing, and when lifting an existing building to add a foundation.

Pool enclosures

An enclosure permit is required for all pools with a water depth of 18 inches or greater
This includes all inflatable, above-ground, on-ground, and in-ground pools

Refer to our Swimming Pool Enclosure By-law for more information.

View a sample pool site plan (PDF)

Residential - New

New construction consists of the construction of any:

Detached single family dwelling
Semi-Detached dwelling unit
Townhouse
Pre-fabricated dwelling

Secondary Dwelling Units

A building permit is required when creating an additional dwelling that is:

Contained within the principal dwelling or
As part of a detached accessory structure or
In a standalone structure on the lot associated with the primary dwelling unit

Please see section 4.55 of our Zoning by-law for the permitted size, parking requirements and zoning provisions applicable to secondary suites.

Septic Systems

A septic system permit is required for any new septic system installations, alterations or upgrading of existing systems and repairs.

Signs

All signs, other than those exempt under the sign by-law, require a building permit. Please reference our Sign By-law for more information.

Solar Panels

A building permit is required for solar panels in accordance with the Ontario Building Code Division A 1.3.1.1.(1)(f) when the panel is mounted on a building and has a face area equal to or greater than 5 square metres. A permit is also required any time the solar panel is connected to a plumbing or mechanical system.

Storage Containers/Sea Cans

Cargo containers, also known as shipping or sea containers, also require a permit where they exceed 15 square metres (161 square feet).

These types of accessory structures are not permitted in residential zones. Where permitted, cargo containers can only be located in the rear yard and must comply with the rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings.

Cargo containers that are under 15 square metres and do not require a permit must also comply with the zoning provisions. Please confirm with the Building Division if you are permitted to have a storage container on your property. These permits are applied for under Accessory Structures.

Tents

Applies to:

A single tent or group of tents whose combined area exceeds 60 square metres (646 square feet)
A tent attached to a building
A tent 225 square metres or larger must be designed and stamped by a Professional Engineer licensed in Ontario

Learn more about the tent permitting process (PDF)

Temporary Structures/Demountable Stages and Support Structures

A demountable stage requires a building permit when:

The aggregate area of platforms of the stage is greater than 60 square metres
Where any part of the stage is greater than 3 metres in height from adjacent ground level
The aggregate area of all platforms of the stage is greater than 225 square metres
When any parts of the platforms or any roof, wall, or structure attached to or located on any platforms of the stage is 5 metres or greater in height above the adjacent ground level

A demountable structure requires a building permit when:

It is more than 3 metres in height above adjacent ground level
It is designed to carry a superimposed specific load greater than 115 kg
It would create a hazard to the public.

Water and Sanitary Services

A building permit is required when the addition, repair, or alteration of a water and/or sanitary service is connected to a municipal service from the property line to the building that is being serviced.

Projects that don’t require a permit

Although a project may not require a permit, you must still comply with the appropriate Zoning By-law requirements (setback distances, height limitations, etc.).

Projects that don't require a permit

A deck less than 10 square metres in area and less than 12" in height provided it is not attached to an existing building
Demolition of farm buildings located on a farm
Sheds used for storage with an area of 15 square metres (161 square feet) or less that does not contain plumbing and is not more than one storey.
Eavestroughs and downspouts
Fences (unless for a pool enclosure)
Kitchen cupboards (removal and replacement)
Landscaping
Non-loadbearing structural repairs (no impact on the structure)
Painting and decorating
Replacing a plumbing fixture with a new fixture in the same location
Shingles installed on an existing roof
Window or door replacements (same size, same location)
Siding
A building under 10m2 (108 square metres) that does not contain plumbing

Although a permit may not be required for these projects, before any construction, we encourage you to contact a Building Inspector for more information on zoning requirements.

Building permit fees

Building permit fees depend on the floor area, scope of work and the type of building being constructed or altered. A Building Inspector will calculate your applicable fee(s) after an initial review of your application.

View all permit fees.

Depending on your project, there may also be additional fees such as development charges or deposits you need to pay before your permit is issued.

Additional fees may apply should construction begin without a permit.

Ways to pay

There are three ways you can pay your permit fees:

1. Online

If you submitted your application through the online portal, you can also pay your fees through your portal account.

Credit card and VISA debit payments are accepted.

Note: Development Charges can also be paid online, subject to a 2.5% fee. Online payments are limited to a maximum charge of $100,000 per single transaction.

2. In person

You can pay in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 2nd Floor, 53 Thorburn Street South.

Debit, credit card and cheque payments are accepted.

3. By mail or drop-off

For all mail or drop-off payments, please ensure the building permit pending application number is included.

You can mail a cheque payable to Haldimand County to:

53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, ON
N0A 1E0

Or drop a cheque off at the drop box on the side of the building off Chippewa Street.

Forms, drawings and plans

As part of your permit application, you'll be required to include any applicable forms, drawings and documents required for your project.

Required forms will be shown as submittal items in your portal account. Any additional forms or drawings needed for clarity will be requested by the building inspector upon review.

Commonly required forms, drawings and plans

Application forms

Building Permit Application
1. Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF)
2. Schedule 1: Designer Information (PDF)
3. Schedule 2: Sewage System Installer Information (PDF)
4. Application for On-Site Sewage Permit (PDF)
Civic Address Request Form (PDF)
Commitment to General Review - Part 3 (PDF)
Confirmation of Insulation (PDF)
Connection Permit - Water, Sewer, Sewer Lateral, Sanitary Connection/Repair (PDF)
Demolition Pre-Permit Clearance (PDF)
Energy Efficiency Design Summary - Performance (PDF)
Energy Efficiency Design Summary - Prescriptive (PDF)
Entrance Permit Application (PDF)
Holding Tank Agreement for Sewage Waste (PDF)
Owner's Authorization (PDF)
Plumbing Permit Application Form (PDF)
Residential Mechanical Ventilation Record - HRV (PDF)
Road Damage Deposit Form (PDF)
Structural Addition Evaluation (PDF)
SB-10 Form (PDF)

Drawings, plans and documents

All required plans and documents shall be submitted as unlocked documents
All required construction plans shall be submitted together as one document with adequate space for inspector notes/comments and stamps
Completed and detailed construction drawings in electronic format
- Complete drawings in Foundation Planview, Framing Planview, Section Planview, Elevation (all sides) Planview
Foundation Plan Drawing:
- type of foundation being used (slab, foundation wall, pier)
- size of footing
- depth of foundation
- compressive strength of concrete
Framing Plan should include:
- Floor layouts
- Room locations, names, and sizes
- Location and size of openings
- Size of lintels over openings
- Size and spacing of structural members (studs, floor joists, beams, columns)
- Roof framing plan showing the size, spacing, and connection details of rafters (if trusses are being used provide engineered truss package)
Section Plan should include:
- Height of building
- Foundation and framing details
- Connection details between building systems
- Wall assembly details (exterior cladding, framing members, insulation, interior finish)
- Basement wall assembly details
- Roof assembly details.
Elevation Plan should include:
- Height and width of the building from all four sides
- A detailed view of what the exterior of the building will look like
- Location and size of any openings
- Roof slope.
Site Plan: A to-scale site plan including north arrow and information on any existing buildings on the property.

- Includes a copy of a survey or plot plan clearly showing measurements of the lot, yards, location of the proposed building, setbacks and any overhead or buried site and utility services.
- For rural properties, please also include distances for septic systems, and location of wells/cisterns on primary and neighbouring properties.

For additional direction and help with forms and documents, contact a Building Inspector.

Application timelines

The timeline for processing a building permit will vary based on:

The quality and completeness of the application
The level of compliance with applicable regulations
The size and complexity of the project

In general, once an application is determined to be complete, it is processed within the following timeframes:

10 working days for houses and semi-detached houses (including additions, renovations, decks, attached garages, carports, gazebos, etc.).
- Detached structures serving a building described above (sheds, garages, carports, pool houses, etc.)
- Septic systems serving part 9 buildings
- Tents
15 working days for townhouses or row houses, and buildings other than those described above where part 9 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
- Farm buildings not exceeding 600 square metres in building area
20 working days for buildings where part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
- Farm buildings exceeding 600 square metres in building area
30 working days
- Post-disaster buildings
- High buildings to which Ontario Building Code 3.2.6. applies
- Buildings with interconnected floor areas to which Ontario Building Code 3.2.8.3. thru 3.2.8.11 applies

Application review times are subject to change depending on request volumes, complexity, staff availability and resubmissions.

Building inspections

Inspections must be arranged for all projects requiring a permit. Many projects require multiple inspections throughout construction. Learn more about building inspections.

Additional approvals and contacts

Depending on the type of project you’re working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your building permit can be issued.

You may also need to be in contact with multiple departments, authorities, agencies, organizations and associations throughout your project.

Find common additional approvals and frequently required contacts below.

Additional approvals that may be required

If you require approval from any additional agencies, you must obtain approval before submitting your application.

Common additional approvals include:

Conservation authority approval for construction near streams or in flood-prone areas.
Heritage Haldimand approval for work affecting designated heritage buildings.
Approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for construction close to intensive animal operations
Ministry of Transportation approval for construction setbacks and entrance permits on Provincial highways.
Approval from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for work requiring environmental compliance.

Additional contacts you might need

Conservation authorities

Government agencies

Organizations and associations

Other County departments

Utilities