Building Permits

The Town of Marathon guides home owners and developers through the building process including, but not limited to:

provides advice about building construction
reviews building permit applications
conducts building inspections

Permit Requirements & Guidelines

Planning to construct or demolish? You must file a building permit application with the Town of Marathon.

The Chief Building Official (CBO) reviews permit plans to ensure that they meet the Ontario Building Code, building by-law and other related by-laws and laws, and regulations for fire safety systems.

For more information please click here for the Building Permit Application Guide or Building Permit Application.

Building an accessory building please see the Accessory Structure Guide.

Online E-Permit Application

Wood Burning Appliances & WETT Inspections

We do not inspect wood stoves unless it is part of a fire investigation. Local WETT certified technicians should be contacted for inspection of residential wood stoves.

For any questions/inquiries about building permits or inspections contact us by emailing cbo@marathon.ca or by telephone at 807-229-1340 ext 2258 and leave a message with question and your email address.

Adding a bedroom, including bedrooms in basements
Adding dormer to existing roof
Additions to a building
Construction of a dock greater than 10 square meters in area
Attached garage, carport, shed or other roof structures
Detached deck greater than 10 square meters in area
Deck attached, or providing access, to a building
Installation of backflow prevention device
Basement or main floor walkouts
Creating a duplex or additional dwelling unit (a.k.a. in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
Demolition of a structure greater than 10 square metres in building area
Construction of a detached garage, gazebo, shed or accessory building greater than 10 square metres in area (measured to the outside face of exterior walls). Note: A single storey detached storage shed ancillary to a principle building on a property, which is less than 15 square metres in area and does not contain plumbing does not require a building permit
Finishing the basement of a house
Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential construction or alterations or changes of use
Installing a new window or door - when increasing the width of the existing opening
New residential dwellings
Retaining wall that is greater than 1 meter in height which is either adjacent to public property, adjacent to access to a building, or adjacent to private property to which the public is admitted
Plumbing fixtures added or relocated
Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
Removing, or replacing, a load bearing wall, column, lintel, beam or any other structural member
Renovation or converting an existing building to a different use (change of use)
Septic system installations and alterations
Site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
Solar Panels that are mounted to a building
Installation of a woodstove or wood burning fireplace
Alterations or installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system

When in doubt if a permit is needed, please consult with the Chief Building Official.

Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed and the same energy efficiency performance level of window is installed - EEDS)
Installing new shingles on existing roof
Installing new siding on an existing building provided it does not include additional insulation or changes to flashing or second plane of protection
Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Replacing a plumbing fixture (i.e. toilet, bathtub or sink) with a new fixture in the same location
Structure less than 10 square metres in area measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)
A single storey detached storage shed ancillary to a principle building on a property, which is less than 15 square metres in area and does not contain plumbing
Installing a propane fireplace
Installing a water softener
Dock less than 10 square metres in area

When in doubt if a permit is needed, please consult with Chief Building Official.

Tim Allen, Building Services and Economic Development Manager
P.O. Box "TM" 4 Hemlo Drive
Marathon, ON P0T 2E0
Main: 807-229-1340 x 2242
Email