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.

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 Haldimand. 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.

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)
Routine Disclosure (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
- location of underground plumbing rough-in
- location of rough-in for sub-floor depressurization system (please note a hatched line showing pipe to center of slab)
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, the following processing timeframes apply according to the nature of the project.

Typically processed within 10 working days

Houses
- Single-family dwellings/semi-detached houses, townhouses and row houses where no dwelling unit is located above another dwelling unit
- Additions, and renovations to houses described above
- Attached garages, carports, decks, etc.
Detached structures not exceeding 55 m² serving a building described above (sheds, garages, carports, pool houses, gazebos, decks, etc.)
Septic systems serving part 9 buildings
Tents

Typically processed within 15 working days

Stacked townhouses and houses with a dwelling unit above another dwelling unit
Detached structures exceeding 55 m²and serving a house
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 m²
- Major occupancies are classified as:
  - Residential (C)
  - Business and Personal Services (D) (example offices)
  - Mercantile (E) (example retail)
  - Medium and/or low-hazard industrial (F2/F3)
Farm buildings not exceeding 600 m² in building area

Typically processed within 20 working days

Buildings where part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
- More than 3 storeys and/or
- Greater than 600 m²
Building areas less than 600 m² used for major occupancies are classified as:
- Assembly (including restaurants over 30 seats) (A)
- Care and Treatment or Detention (B)
- High Hazard Industrial (F1)
Farm buildings exceeding 600 m² in building area
Designated structures

Typically processed within 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. through 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