Building Permits

1. Complete the Building Permit Application Form
2. Confirm you have all required documents for your project
3. Email the completed application and documents to the Building and Construction Department
4. Receive a confirmation email within 2 business days, including:
   1. Application Number (your tracking number)
   2. Application Fee
5. Pay the application fee (always include your Application Number)
   1. Payment can be made by cheque, debit at Town Hall, EFT or etransfers.
6. Once payment and documents are confirmed, your application enters review
7. Receive notice of permit readiness and remaining fees
8. Pay remaining permit fees within 2 weeks
9. Sign your permit and receive issuance
10. Start construction and book required inspections

New construction or additions

You need a permit for:

• Any new building (residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial or institutional)
• Additions such as a garage, carport, room or second storey
• Structural features (balcony, canopy, dormer, enclosed porch)
• Accessory buildings over 15 m² (161 sq. ft.)
• Excavating to add a new or full basement under an existing building

Decks

A permit is required if:

• The deck is attached to the house and more than 600 mm (24 inches) above grade
• The deck provides principal access to a building (any height)

Renovations or structural changes

• Removing or altering load‑bearing walls
• Structural window or door changes
• Finishing a basement with a bedroom or bathroom
• Foundation repairs, damp proofing or drain tile replacement
• Retaining walls over 1 metre on public property

Heating, plumbing and systems

• Installing or replacing a wood stove, furnace, fireplace or chimney
• Installing or modifying plumbing systems
• Installing municipal water or sewer connections

Other projects

• Structural signs or towers
• Solar panels
• Fabric‑covered structures
• Farm buildings (barns, silos, manure storage)
• Changing building use (e.g. residential to commercial)
• Installing a new roof structure (not shingles only)

You do not need a permit for:

• Demolishing farm buildings (excluding homes)
• Buildings under 15 m² (161 sq. ft.) with no plumbing
• Freestanding decks under 600 mm (24 in.) above grade
• Adding drywall only to finish a recreation room
• Replacing cabinets
• Replacing plumbing fixtures (not relocated)

• Inspections must be requested by email to the Building and Construction Department
• Minimum 48 hours’ notice is required
• Booking early increases availability

Email the Building Department with:

• Name
• Permit number
• Construction address
• Inspection type
• Preferred date and time (morning or afternoon)

Inspections Times:

• Morning: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Afternoon: 1:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

No one needs to be present for inspections outside a residence.

A $230 reinspection fee may apply if an inspection is booked and the site is not ready.

Classes of Permits and Permit Fees

Notes to Schedule “A”

Note 1: Single Family Dwelling (house) does not include attached storage garage or deck. The storage garage and deck permit fees will be charged as per their respective class as indicated in Schedule “A” of this By-Law.

Note 2: This class of permit includes; Designated Structures as defined in the Building Code, Change of Use where no construction is proposed, Permit Renewal, Transfer of Ownership of an active Building Permit to a new owner, Temporary Permit, or others at the discretion of the Chief Building Official.

Note 3: For the purpose of this Schedule, Area is defined as Gross Building Area as defined by this By-Law.

Notes to Schedule “B”

Note 1: The value of Work is calculated as follows:

1. Group “C” residential Buildings are based on $225 per ft2 or contract price whichever is greatest,
2. Group “A”, “B”, “D”, “E” and “F” Buildings are based on $200 per ft2 or contract price whichever is the greatest,
3. Farm Buildings are based on $100.00 per ft2 or contract price whichever is the greatest,
4. All other Work types are based on the contract value.

Note 2: Once a Permit has been issued by the Chief Building Official, except as per Note 3 of this By-Law, the Refundable Fee will be refunded in whole or in part to the Permit Holder in accordance with the following provisions:

1. One hundred percent (100%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within one (1) year of the date of issuance of the Permit,
2. Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within two (2) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
3. Fifty per cent (50%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within three (3) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
4. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are completed within four (4) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
5. No refund of the Refundable Fee will be awarded if the Work and all required inspections are not fully completed within four (4) years of the date of the issuance of the Permit. This will not relieve the Permit Holder of obligations under any regulations of any By-law, the Building Code Act or regulations made there under.

Note 3: Once a Permit has been issued by the Chief Building Official, for any Permit having a construction value of greater than $800,000.00. The Refundable Fee will be refunded in whole or in part to the Permit Holder in accordance with the following provisions:

1. One hundred per cent (100%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within two (2) years of the date of issuance of the Permit, 2) Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within three (3) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
2. Fifty per cent (50%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are fully completed within four (4) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
3. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of the Refundable Fee is to be refunded if the Work and all required inspections are completed within five (5) years of the date of issuance of the Permit,
4. No refund of the Refundable Fee will be awarded if the Work and all required inspections are not fully completed within five (5) years of the date of the issuance of the Permit. This will not relieve the Permit Holder of obligations under any regulations of any By-law, the Building Code Act or regulations made there under.

Note 4: The refund of the whole or in part of the Refundable Fee shall not be deemed a waiver of any provisions of any By-law or requirements of the Building Code Act or regulations made there under. Also, the refund should not be construed as a certification or guarantee that the building for which a Permit was issued meets all the requirements of the Building Code Act or regulations made there under.

Notes to Schedule “C”

Note 1: The value of Work is calculated as follows:

1. Group “C” residential Buildings are based on $225 per ft2 or contract price whichever is greatest,
2. Group “A”, “B”, “D”, “E” and “F” Buildings are based on $200 per ft2 or contract price whichever is the greatest
3. Farm Buildings are based on $100.00 per ft2 or contract price whichever is the greatest
4. All other Work types are based on the contract value

Note 2: The purpose of the Security Deposit is to allow for Municipality to recover any costs incurred in the event that the permit holder defaults on any payments associated with the review and/or site inspections required for grading plans and their execution. The cost will be calculated as follows: The cost of the consultant retained by the Municipality +10% administrative fees.

Note 3: Once a Permit has been issued by the Chief Building Official, the Security Deposit will be refunded in whole or in part to the Permit Holder in accordance with the following provisions:

1. One hundred per cent (100%) of the Security Deposit is to be refunded if the Grading Work and all required inspections are fully completed and paid for by the permit holder, provided no portion of the Security Deposit has been utilized to recover any cost associated with the Grading Plan.
2. In the event that a portion of Security Deposit has been used by the Municipality to recover costs as indicated in Note 2 of this schedule, the remaining portion of the Security Deposit will be refunded to the permit holder.

Note 4: The refund of the whole or in part of the Security Deposit shall not be deemed a waiver of any provisions of any By-law or requirements of the Building Code Act or regulations made there under. Also, the refund should not be construed as a certification or guarantee that the Building for which a Permit was issued meets all the requirements of the Building Code Act or regulations made there under.

Construction plans show how your project will be built and are required as part of your building permit application.

Your plans must include:

• Structural framing details for walls, floors, beams and joists
• Roof truss layout with dimensions and specifications
• Building elevations (front, rear, left and right sides)
• Exterior finishes, windows, door types, roof slope and materials
• Details for stairs, landings, guards and handrails
• Footing and foundation wall details
• Typical cross‑sections showing floor, wall and roof assemblies

Important notes

• An engineer’s approval may be required
• Engineering approval is required for on‑grade concrete slabs larger than 55 m² (592 ft²)

Additional information may be requested during the review process.

A site plan is a scaled drawing of your property that shows where the proposed work will be located and how close it will be to property lines and other features.

If you have questions about preparing a site plan, contact the Planning Department before submitting your application.

What should the site plan include?

Your site plan should show:

• Lot dimensions, total area and the legal address
• Existing and proposed easements
• Road boundaries and nearby public or private streets
• Location, size and footprint of existing and proposed buildings
• Setbacks between buildings and all property lines
• Streams, ditches or significant changes in ground elevation
• Distances between all structures and the septic tank and septic bed

This list is a general guide only. Additional details may be required depending on the project.
Please confirm site plan requirements with the Building and Planning Departments before submitting your application.