• 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

Before starting any excavation, digging, or ground disturbance on your property, you should request an underground utility locate. Underground infrastructure such as gas, hydro, telecommunications, water and sewer lines may be located below the surface and may not be visible.

Calling before you dig helps you:

• Protect yourself and others from injury
• Avoid damaging underground utilities
• Prevent service interruptions and costly repairs
• Ensure your project can proceed safely and in accordance with applicable requirements

Always Call Before You Dig!

For more information or to request a locate, visit the Ontario One Call website:
Ontario Dig Authority - request a locate