Apply for a Building Permit

• Building a detached structure that's less than 108 square feet in size, measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)
• Installing a gas fireplace
• Building a fence - however, the fence must comply with the Fences By-law
• Installing a water softener
• Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
• Replacing a door or window within an existing opening where no structural members are changed and no fire-resistance rating is in place
• Installing new shingles on an existing roof
• Removing a non-load-bearing wall in a single, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling
• Replacing a plumbing fixture (toilet, bathtub or sink) with a new fixture in the same location
• Demolishing any farm buildings
• Building a detached structure that's less than 108 square feet, measured from the outside face of walls, and does not contain plumbing fixtures

The time required for processing a building permit application is between 10 to 30 business days, depending on its class and size determination as follows:

10 days 

• Houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and row houses where no dwelling unit is located above a dwelling unit.
• Additions, renovations
• Decks
• Attached garages, carports
• Detached structures that serve a house and are under 55 square metres in the building area. 
• Sheds, detached garages and carports
• Tents
• Signs

15 days 

• Stacked townhouses and houses with a dwelling unit above another dwelling unit.
• Detached structures exceeding 55 square meters and serving a house.
• Buildings other than those described above, where Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
• Three or fewer storeys in height
• Building area less than 600 square metres
• Major occupancies are classified as:
  • Residential (ex. camp for the housing of workers)
• Business and personal services (ex. offices)
• Mercantile (ex. retail stores)
• Medium or low-hazard industrial 
• Farm Buildings not exceeding 600 square metres in building area

20 days

• Buildings where Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
  • More than three storeys
  • Greater than 600 square metres in building area
  • Building area less than 600 square metres
  • Major Occupancies are classified as:
    • Assembly
    • Care or Detention
    • Residential
    • Business and Personal Services
    • Mercantile
    • High, medium or low-hazard industrial
    • Farm buildings exceeding 600 square metres in building area

• Building Permit Fees
• Development Charges
• Other Fees

Applications are not accepted until the permit fee is paid.

Fees are established in Norfolk County’s User Fee By-law. If there is a discrepancy between this website and the by-law, the by-law governs.

Approvals from other agencies may be required before a building permit application can be processed and a permit issued. The Building Department does not administer these approvals.

Please ensure all the necessary approvals are complete using the Applicable Law Checklist.

To request documents in an alternative format or with communication support, please submit an Accessible Formats and Communication Supports Request form.

• Alternative Solution Application Form (PDF)
• Applicable Law Checklist (PDF)
• Applicant Authorization Form (PDF)
• Building Department Complaint Form (PDF)
• Building Permit Application - Application to Construct or Demolish (PDF)
  • Schedule 1: Designers Information
  • Schedule 2: Septic Installers Information
• Bunkhouse Declaration (PDF)
• Civic Address Request
• Commitment to General Review (PDF)
• Demolition Checklist (PDF)
• Document Request Form (PDF)
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) – Performance (PDF)
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) - Prescriptive (PDF)
• Entrance Permit Application
• Greenhouse Declaration (PDF)
• “How To” Complete a Building Permit Application (PDF)
• Lot Grading Form (PDF)
• Lot Grading Exemption Required Form (PDF)
• Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary (PDF)
• SB-10 Energy Efficiency – Part 3 checklists (PDF)
• SB-10 Energy Efficiency - Part 9 checklists (PDF)
• Septic System Information Request Form (PDF)
• Septic System Worksheets (new, repair or replacement) (PDF)
• Sign Permit Application Form (PDF)
• Temporary Dwelling Form (PDF)
• Tent – Fire Safety Plan (PDF)
• Water/Sanitary/Storm Connection Permit Application (PDF)
• Water Service Request Form (PDF)
• Zoning and Property Information Request (PDF)