Agricultural Farm Buildings

Approvals from other agencies are often required before a building permit can be processed and issued. The building department does not administer these approvals. The fastest way to obtain a building permit is to ensure that all other required approvals are completed before the permit application.

An Applicable Law Checklist is required as part of a complete application. Agency contacts are included with this form. Our community mapping has many of these layers mapped to help you determine if additional approvals are required for your application.

Zoning Requirements

Finding the zoning associated with your property is easy with our GIS Community Web Map; position your property and turn on the zoning layer by clicking layer list, planning, and zoning.

You will need to provide a plot plan for zoning review. Refer to Norfolk County Zoning Bylaw. This plot plan needs to include the following:

• Property lines and lot dimensions,
• Location of the proposed building and all other structures on the lot,
• Location of all steps and landing,
• Distance from dwelling to property lines
• Parking spots with dimensions,
• Location of septic systems

A planning application will be required if your proposed building or structure does not comply with the zoning requirements. Zoning and Planning approval is required as part of a complete permit 
application. 

• Contact the Planning Department at planning@norfolkcounty.ca or 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 1842
• Contact the Zoning Department at zoning@norfolkcounty.ca or 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 1000

Norfolk County Zoning Definition

“FARM” shall mean the use of land, building, or structure for agricultural purposes, such as, without limitation, the growing of crops, including nursery, biomass, and horticultural crops; raising of livestock; raising of other animals for food, fur or fibre, including poultry and fish; aquaculture; apiaries; agroforestry and maple syrup production; but does not include Cannabis Production and Processing. [25-Z-2018].

Lot Grading

Under the Norfolk County Grading and Drainage By-law, proposed grading plans and a lot grading form shall be submitted with all building permit applications. 

Proposed grading plans need to identify the following:

• all surface features; 
• existing and proposed structures; 
• changes in grade and slopes in percent between such changes, and
• Include sufficient information regarding adjacent properties to confirm conformance with this By-Law with respect to drainage onto those properties.

An exemption may be considered for a lot in a rural area. You must complete the application form, and fees apply.

Site plan drawing example

A building permit application consists of many documents. The attached forms must be completed, signed, and dated.

Anyone can design a farm building of low human occupancy, under 600 square metres, and under 3 storeys in building height. All other buildings require a Professional Engineer to complete the drawings. 

Drawings must be legible and to scale. Complete them using a ruler or computer-aided drafting (CAD) software. Provide enough information and detail to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code. 

A small farm building under 600 metres square and not more than three storeys in building height is deemed to comply with the structural requirements of the Ontario Building Code if it is designed and constructed with Supplementary Standard SB-11 “Construction of Farm Buildings” 

Please contact the building department if the building is to contain multiple occupancies for additional requirements. An example is a farm building with retail space or offices.

The Ontario Building Code is available online under the ‘regulations under this act’ tab.

Building Department staff are not permitted by law to provide design advice. It is the responsibility of the property owner or authorized agent to complete a design that meets the requirements of the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and the Building Code Act (BCA). 

If you are unable to complete the application and provide the required documents, you should retain a qualified designer to assist you in completing the application.

Building Permit - Application Checklist

Completed Forms 

• Building Permit Application Form 
• Commitment to General Review, if the building is over 600 m2 or more than three storeys in building height.
• Applicant Authorization Form, if the application is not completed by the property owner, 
• Applicable Law Checklist and supporting documents. 
• Lot grading form or exemption request. 

Required Documents 

• Plot Plan:
  • Plot Plan Property lines and lot dimensions,
  • Location of farm building and all other structures on the lot.
  • Distance from building to property lines, 
  • Parking spots with dimensions
• Lot grading plan
• Drawing of the farming building:
  • Footings and foundations,
  • Floor plan
• Elevations
• Cross Sections of the exterior wall from the footing to the roof.
• Roof layout or truss layout (where required)
• Engineered beam details (i.e. Parallam, Micro-lam, LVL's) (Where required)

Fees

• Building Permit fee
• Plumbing fee
• Civic address (where applicable)

Online

• Visit the Norfolk CityView Permits Portal and make your application online 

In Person

Visit our service counter located at 12 Gilbertson Dr., Simcoe, Ontario.

Please call or email ahead and make an appointment. Our Permit Coordinators will review your application and provide in writing any missing items and a cost breakdown for the permit fees and payment options.

A Building Inspector will contact you in writing if there are building code concerns or missing information from your application.

A building permit is issued once all documentation has been received, fees are paid in full, and your plans are check for compliance zoning by-law and the building code.

Once you have obtained a building permit, a building inspector needs to attend your site at several milestones in the construction process. Read more about inspections.

Once all inspections are complete and passed your permit is closed.