WHY ARE BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED?

A building permit is the best way to protect a major investment in your home. A building permit ensures compliance with the Ontario Building Code, municipal bylaws and any other applicable laws. It ensures that minimum construction standards are met and appropriate materials are used. It provides access to the professional advice of Building Services staff during the design and construction phases of your project to avoid problems in the future.

Construction, alteration, conversion and/or demolition cannot start until a building permit is issued. Starting construction without a permit is illegal and a Provincial Offence under the Ontario Building Code Act. Charges may be laid. At a minimum, you will be subject to an extra administration fee.  At worst, you may have to demolish the structure at your own cost or produce engineering reports to confirm that the building is structurally sound and built to Ontario Building Code Standards.