Getting a Building Permit in Ontario: What Developers and Owners Need to Know
When Is a Permit Required?
In Ontario, a building permit is required for most construction projects, including new buildings, additions, major renovations, and changes in how a building is used. There are some minor exemptions for small structures and certain types of interior work, but when in doubt, the answer is almost always: yes, you need a permit.
Building without a permit creates serious problems, from difficulty selling the property to orders to remove completed work. It's never worth the risk.
What You Need to Apply
A building permit application in Ontario requires a completed application form, drawings of the proposed work prepared by a qualified designer or architect, information on the materials and methods to be used, site plan showing the building on the property, and payment of the permit fee, which varies by municipality and project size.
For commercial and industrial projects, additional engineering documents are typically required: structural calculations, mechanical drawings, and sometimes fire protection system drawings.
Typical Timelines
Ontario's Building Code Act sets timelines for permit review: 10 business days for houses and small buildings, 20 days for larger projects. However, in practice, many municipalities take longer, especially for complex commercial or industrial applications.
Some municipalities in the GTA and Simcoe County process permits faster than others. An experienced builder will know what to expect in your specific area.
Common Reasons for Delay
The most common reasons permits are delayed are: incomplete applications (missing drawings or documents), non-compliant design (the drawings don't meet the Building Code), outstanding requirements from other agencies (like the Conservation Authority), and municipal review capacity. Working with an experienced designer and builder who know what reviewers typically look for in your municipality can significantly reduce delays.
Working With a Builder on Permits
Many owners assume that getting permits is solely the designer's job. In practice, the best outcomes happen when the designer and builder work together on the permit process, because the builder's knowledge of how things are actually constructed often catches issues in the drawings before they become review comments.
Terrahills manages the building permit application process as part of our full project delivery service. If you have questions about permits for a specific project in Ontario, contact us.
Talk to the Terrahills Team
Ready to apply these principles to your next Ontario project? Our team has direct experience across commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and multi-residential construction.
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