You are required to get a building permit before you begin a new construction or renovation project on your property.

Please take careful note of the following dates in the transition timeline for the new 2024 Ontario Building Code.

  • April 10, 2024: Release and filing of the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
  • January 1, 2025: 2024 Ontario Building Code in effect.
  • March 31, 2025: Deadline for permit applications using the 2012 Ontario Building Code, where working drawings were substantially complete before January 1, 2025.
  • April 1, 2025: All permit applications must use the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Key Transition Period Dates (December 31, 2024 - March 31, 2025)

Permit application

Complete the Building Permit Application and submit permit applications digitally in PDF format at [email protected] or in person drop off at Town Hall (87 Broadway).

If you are not the owner of the property, you will need to submit a Letter of Authorization along with the permit application.

 Projects that require a Building Permit
 

According to the Building Code Act, a building permit is required for the construction or installation of a new structure or the construction of an addition or alteration of any structure. The following are common projects that require a building permit:

 

- new structures (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional)

- accessory buildings larger than 10 square metres. Residential sheds larger than 15 square metres.

- any addition to a structure, regardless of the size of the addition

- interior alterations to create new rooms in a basement/attic or converting a garage to living space

- any structural changes including interior partitions

- adding structural features such as decks, balconies, canopies, etc.

- repairs or renovations

- a new entrance or new window opening

- adding new dormers

- raising the house to provide a full basement or first storey or to excavate the basement to provide a full basement

- enclosing a porch/roof or sundeck

- constructing a retaining wall larger than 3 feet and 3 inches of exposed height adjacent to public property

- installing a pool enclosure

- installing a fireplace or woodstove

- interior alterations to non-residential units

- any installation or alteration of a plumbing system

- replacing a sewer line/water service line

- converting from a septic system to Town sewer or water

- change of use

Required Drawings

Depending on the specific project, you are required to submit a variety of different drawings along with your building permit application. Review each project type and learn about the required drawings for a building permit in the Town of Orangeville.

Please be advised, your drawings should clearly show the locations and size of all existing and proposed signs. Drawings must be to scale, and should use metric measurements.

House

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a house:

  • two complete sets of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, cross-section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations, fireplace details, truss design, drainage)
  • two copies of heat loss calculation with duct layout
  • one ventilation design summary
  • one copy of the energy efficiency design summary
  • three copies of the site plan approval

Additions

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for additions:

  • two complete sets of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan of addition showing sizes of window and door openings, and single line drawing of floor plan of existing house, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations and truss design if applicable)
  • two copies of heat loss calculation with duct layout (if applicable)
  • one copy of the energy efficiency design summary
  • two copies of surveys showing all buildings on the property (show location and dimensions of additions, setbacks from property line and grading/drainage of property, if required)

 

Accessory apartment

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for an accessory apartment:

  • two complete sets of construction plans (existing and proposed floor plans showing sizes of windows, doors and room dimensions of the new unit, include all room names, fire separations and a layout of the existing floor above)
  • two copies of surveys showing the size of all the parking spots, any new exits or windows that are proposed with setback from the property line (a grading/drainage of property may be required if there is any exterior work)

 

View our Accessory Apartment Guide for more information.

 

Attached/detached garage

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for an attached/detached garage:

  • Two complete sets of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, all elevations and truss design, if applicable)
  • Two copies of surveys showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of attached/detached garage, setbacks from property line and grading/drainage of property, if required)

 

View our grading guide for more information.

 

Accessory buildings

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for any detached residential accessory building over 15 metres squared or 161 feet squared:

  • Two complete sets of construction plans (foundation plan, floor plan showing sizes of window and door openings, grading plan, cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction, front view showing height of building and truss design, if applicable)
  • Two copies of surveys showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of accessing building along with setbacks)
  • One copy of a grading plan (see attached for grading guide)

 

Carport

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a carport:

  • Two complete sets of construction plans (foundation plan, side elevation showing partial enclosure, if any, framing cross section to include dimensions and material to be used in the construction and tress design, if applicable)
  • Two copies of surveys showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of carport along with setbacks)

 

Deck

You must include the following required drawing with your building permit application for a deck:

  • Two complete sets of construction plans (floor plan and framing cross section including dimensions and material to be used in the construction and elevation view and grading plan)
  • Two copies of surveys showing all buildings on the property (show the location and dimensions of the deck along with setbacks)
  • One copy of a grading plan (see attached for grading guide)

 

View our Planning your Deck Package for more information.

 

Pool

Learn about the requirements for all pool enclosure permit applications.

 

Commercial/industrial/institutional

You must include the following required drawings with your building permit application for a commercial, industrial or institutional building:

- three complete sets of drawings (including architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and sprinkler information

Before you Apply

You may require additional approvals from other departments or external agencies. The following may apply. 

 Source Water Protection Applications and Guidelines
 

If your property is in a source protection vulnerable area, you will need to receive additional review and approval in order to undertake certain activities on your property. We need to make sure that activities carried out on land don't impact the quality of our underground municipal drinking water sources.

Source protection applications for planning and building approvals

Before you apply for a planning approval or building permit, you need to complete the Application for a Notice to Proceed to ensure that your project meets the guidelines set out in the Source Protection Plan.

Submit your application by email or drop it off at Town Hall located at 87 Broadway.

We will review your application and determine if any additional steps need to be taken before you apply for a planning approval or building permit. Review our Source Water Protection Guidelines for Planning and Building Permit Applications for more details.

 
 Credit Valley Conservation Area

 

CVC issues permits in regulated areas to protect people, property and natural features from flooding and hazards.

 

For more information, please visit https://cvc.ca/about-planning-permits/ for more information. 

 

Process

Once an application has been received, it will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy.  If there are missing items we will contact you directly. The timeline may vary depending on the type and scope of the project. 

The prescribed review timeframes as mandated by the Ontario Building Code will begin as outlined below:

  • Residential - 10 business days
  • Small Buildings and Accessory Apartments - 15 business days
  • Large Buildings - 20 business days
  • Complex Buildings - 30 business days

Incomplete Applications are not subject to the timelines listed above and will not be processed until all required documents have been submitted.

Please note, fees are paid once the department has reviewed and finalized the permit for issuance.

Fees

Building Permit fees are calculated using our User Rates and Fees. Additional fees may apply depending on the type, size and use of the building. For example, the following items have an extra fee:

  • grading damage deposits
  • water meters
  • development charges
  • site plan securities
 Grading Damage Deposits
  

We collect lot grading deposits as part of the building permit fees for the construction of a new home or projects that would alter the grading. Some of the projects include basement entrances, accessory additional dwelling units, detached garages, swimming pools and decks.

This is a security that is held until the lot has been certified as graded according to approved plans, and the building permit has been closed. 

 

When is the deposit released?

Timelines and conditions will vary depending on the type of development or scope of the project. 

We hold the deposit until the final inspection to close the building permit. The building department will then notify the Public Works Department to complete their separate inspection to ensure the grading is satisfactory. After the grading inspection has been passed, staff will process your refund.

The time it takes to receive your deposit depends on the time it takes for construction to be completed in compliance with the approved building permits, including completion of all required inspections through to the closing of the building permit.

 

 

Book an Inspection

 

Contact us to book a building inspection. Please notify us at least 24 hours prior to the required inspection.

It is a violation to proceed with certain work without first getting an inspection. Failure to call for a required inspection may result in the removal of completed works. This can cost you time and money.

When do I need an inspection?

All mandatory and required inspections are listed on your building permit or other documentation issued with the building permit.

Here are the general stages for all types of permits:

 

  • Pre-construction inspection (for any additional dwelling unit)
  • Footing (prior to placement of concrete)
  • Weepers/foundation
  • Outside drains
  • Inside drains
  • Rough-in plumbing
  • Rough-in HVAC
  • Framing (once all rough-ins are complete)
  • Insulation
  • Fire Separation
  • General inspection or re-inspections (if required)
  • Occupancy
  • Final inspection

Please contact us for more information or clarity.