As the building owner, you are ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed. The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit. The list is not exhaustive. If you have any questions please contact Toronto Building.
- Construct a new building
- Construct an addition to an existing building, such as:
Second or third story additions
Attached garages/carports
Sunrooms
Solariums, porches, and decks
- Make structural or material alterations, such as:
Adding or removing walls (i.e., changing room sizes and/or uses)
New windows or doors where there were none before
Enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors
- Enclosing an existing deck, porch or patio of any size.
- Construct an accessory structure larger than 10 square meters* (108 square feet) in an area, such as:
- Detached Garage
Workshop
Garden
shed Carport
Pool house or cabana
*Note: If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has
Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following,
- Structural or material alterations
- Installing or modifying heating and/or plumbing systems
- Excavating and/or constructing foundations
- Basement underpinning
- Constructing a basement entrance
- Adding a second suite
Energy and environmental building improvements, such as:
Roof top stormwater retention systems- Green roofs
- Structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator, with a rated output of more than 3kW
- Solar projects, such
as, installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems - Construct a deck more than 60 centimeters (24 inches) above ground
- Construct a retaining wall more than one meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height, provided the retaining wall is on, or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances and on private property accessible to the public
- Constructing a tent that covers more than 60 meters squared (646 square feet) and/or is attached to a building is within 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) from another structure
- Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building
- Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace
- Install a wood burning stove or fireplace
- Install or modify heating and/or plumbing systems
- Install a backwater valve
- Install a backflow prevention device
Change a building's use (i.e. from residential to office, or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house) Even if no construction is proposed, a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.
When is a Building Permit Not Required?
The following are examples of work which do not require a building permit and are not subject to the provisions of the building code. However, please note that this list is not exhaustive and judgment should be used, depending on the situation and circumstances associated with the project. Even if a building permit is not required, compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.