The Building and By-law Department is responsible for building permits and enforcement of the Building Code Act and other applicable legislation and by-laws.
Applying For a Permit
Residents can either use one of the packages below and submit your application the traditional way, or use the convenient online system, CloudPermit. With CloudPermit, you can apply for permits, request inspections, and receive updates by email – all from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you can check the status of your application anytime, anywhere. Just click the button below to get started.
Watch the instructional video - on how to submit a building permit.
Permit Process
After you submit your application, we'll complete a plans examination to make sure everything meets the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and any other necessary regulations. Once the review is finished, we'll either issue the permit to you or let you know if any changes need to be made. If the permit is issued, you'll need to pay all applicable fees before you can start construction. Keep in mind that this process may take some time, so it's important to plan ahead.
Types of Permits
Accessory Structures |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. Accessory Structures include but are not limited to: Sheds, Detached Garages, and Roof Structures. Requirements
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all permits for an accessory structure. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damaged has occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a building permit has been issued, inspections will be required to be completed at various stages of construction. The owner is responsible for ensuring the inspections are booked. A minimum of two (2) days noticed is required to book a building inspection. The inspections will ensure the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations are met. Please refer to your building package for instructions on how your inspections are scheduled. There is a handout that is intended to assist in avoiding common deficiencies found on inspections.
Application Package |
Additions |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. RequirementsBelow is the information required to apply for a permit. Site Plan
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all permits for an accessory structure. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damaged has occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a building permit has been issued, inspections will be required to be completed at various stages of construction. The owner is responsible for ensuring the inspections are booked. A minimum of two (2) days noticed is required to book a building inspection. The inspections will ensure the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations are met. Please refer to your building package for instructions on how your inspections are scheduled. There is a handout that is intended to assist in avoiding common deficiencies found on inspections.
Application Package |
Bunkhouse/Camp for the housing of workers |
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A bunkhouse is a structure that provides temporary accommodation for farm labour where the size and nature of the farm operation requires additional employment. The bunkhouse may be located on a parcel of land that is part of the extended farm operation but is not intended to be used as a permanent or principal place of residence. The bunkhouse is intended to be located within proximity to the farm building cluster to preserve prime agricultural lands. Where a bunkhouse is used as temporary accommodation for employees of multiple farm operations, the use shall be considered an on-farm diversified use. Bunkhouse development is subject to site plan control and requires site plan approval. This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for a bunkhouse and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code.
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Decks |
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A permit is required to build a deck that exceeds 23 5/8” (600mm) in height from the ground, or is a covered deck. Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. RequirementsBelow is the information required to submit for a permit.
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all permits for a deck. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damage has occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a building permit has been issued, inspections will be required to be completed at various stages of construction. The owner is responsible for ensuring the inspections are booked. A minimum of two (2) days noticed is required to book a building inspection. The inspections will ensure the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations are met. Please refer to your building package for instructions on how your inspections are scheduled. There is a handout that is intended to assist in avoiding common deficiencies found on inspections.
Application Package |
Demolitions |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. RequirementsA permit is required to demolish any structures that exceeds 10 m2. The process is similar for a building permit, but some special situations may affect your application. The following information is require to be filled out and provided to apply for a permit:
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all construction and demolition permits. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damages have occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a building permit has been issued, inspections must be completed at various stages of construction. The owner is responsible for ensuring the inspections are booked. A minimum of 2 days noticed is required to book a building inspection. The inspections will ensure the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations are met. Please refer to your building package for instructions on how your inspections are scheduled.
Application Package
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Farm Building (Housing Livestock) |
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A farm building is defined as all or part of a building that contains an agricultural occupancy. An agricultural occupancy means the use of all or part of a building that is located on land that is associated with and devoted to the practice of farming, and is used for the purpose of producing crops, raising farm animals, or preparing, marketing, storing or processing agricultural products. Building permits are required for all farm buildings containing livestock and manure storage greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet). Farm buildings greater than 600 square metres in size must be designed by a professional engineer. This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for Farm Buildings and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code.
Application Package
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Farm Building (Not Housing Livestock) |
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A farm building is defined as all or part of a building that contains an agricultural occupancy. An agricultural occupancy means the use of all or part of a building that is located on land that is associated with and devoted to the practice of farming, and is used for the purpose of producing crops, raising farm animals, or preparing, marketing, storing or processing agricultural products. Buildings for the storage of personal items/vehicles, workshops, or other accessory structures not used for farm purposes are not considered farm buildings and need to be designed according to the requirements of the Ontario Building Code for their defined use.
This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for Farm Buildings and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code. Application Package
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New Construction |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. RequirementsThe following information is require to be filled out and provided to apply for a permit:
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all construction and demolition permits. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damages have occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a building permit has been issued, inspections must be completed at various stages of construction. The owner is responsible for ensuring the inspections are booked. A minimum of 2 days noticed is required to book a building inspection. The inspections will ensure the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, the Building By-law and other applicable regulations are met. Please refer to your building package for instructions on how your inspections are scheduled.
Application Package |
Pools |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department. Requirements
Any structures that exceeds 108 square feet (10 meters squared) as well as decks beyond 23-5/8” (500mm) in height from grade require a separate permit. FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section. DepositA building deposit will apply to all In-Ground and On-Ground pools. The deposit amount is can be found in the User Fee section of the website. The deposit may be returned after the project has passed final inspection, and no damaged has occurred to Municipal property. InspectionsAfter a pool permit has been issued, an inspection prior to filling the pool with water will be required. The inspection will ensure that all safety measures are in place as per the submitted site plan and the requirements set out in the Pool By-law.
Application Package
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Renovations |
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The Ontario Building Code (OBC) requires a permit for renovations if those renovations include any of the following.
This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for interior renovations and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code.
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Septic |
Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department A septic permit is require for the following:
Requirements
Application Package |
Sign Permits |
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Please fill out all required information and submit to the Building Department A permit is required to install many types of signs within the Municipality. You can view the Sign By-Law for specific requirements for a particular sign, and for signs exempt from requiring a permit. Requirements
FeesThe fees for a permit can be found in the User Fee section.
Application Package
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Solar Panels |
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A building permit is required for any solar panel installation with an aggregate face area (“face area” includes the aggregate area of all panels or modules) of 5 square metres (54 square feet) or greater, that is mounted to a building or structure. Additionally, a permit is required when the solar panel(s) is designed to provide hot water or to provide primary or supplementary heating. A building permit is NOT required for solar collector systems installations where:
Existing buildings must be evaluated by an engineer for the extra load the solar panels apply to the roof assembly. Solar panels may add dead loads to the structure and can cause extra wind uplift and live loads, such as snow accumulation, due to the placement of the panels. Transfer of loads through the panel mounting system may cause a relocation of where and how the loads are applied to the roof assembly (uniform and/or point loads). If insufficient capacity is identified, the system would have to be strengthened.
This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for the installation of Solar Panels and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code.
Application Package |
Tent Permits |
A tent permit is required when the aggregate ground area for a tent or a group of tents exceeds 60 m2, when a tent or a group of tents are to be attached to a building, or when tents are constructed closer than 3.0 metres to property lines, to other buildings and to combustible material or vegetation. A Building Tent Permit is not required when the tent or group of tents measure less than 60 m2 in aggregate ground area, provided that the tent(s) are not attached to a building and are erected more than 3 metres from other structures. Firefighting access must be provided to a tent or group of tents. Fabrics for tents must meet specific Design and review by a Professional Engineer is required when:
Application Package |
Wood Burning Appliance |
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A building permit is required for the installation of any wood burning appliance including a masonry fireplace, factory-built fireplace, certified woodstove, uncertified wood stove and/or a chimney that vents solid fuel burning appliance. This permit guide provides a summary of the Building Permit submission requirements for a word burning appliance and has been developed for convenience purposes only. The property owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Central Elgin By-laws, other applicable laws, and the Ontario Building Code.
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Change of Use Permits |
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If you want to change the way you use all or part of your building you may need a change of use permit. Different building uses have different code requirements. The proposed Change of use may have to be reviewed to ensure that the existing building can support the change in use. Even though no construction may be planned, upgrading of one or more of the following areas may be required.
It is recommended that the applicant check with Planning Staff to ensure that the proposed change in use complies with the Municipal Zoning By-law. Permit ApplicationThe applicant must obtain a designer licensed in the Province of Ontario to review the existing building and to prepare the plans (i.e. Architect, Engineer or Qualified Designer). The following information is required to submit for a change of use permit:
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Building Without a Permit |
| Anyone who starts construction without a permit may be subject to penalties and additional fees. Anyone who is charged and found guilty of building without a permit can be fined up to $50,000 for a first offence and up to $100,000 for repeated offences. Fines are even higher for corporations. Fines may also be levied if you don't follow an order from the building department. |
Booking an Inspection
The Municipality inspects new, renovated and demolished structures—including pools and septic systems—to ensure that they're safe and up to code. Several different inspections may be necessary depending on the type and use of a structure. It is your responsibility to ensure that either you or your contractor books the required inspections.
Contact Information
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