Permit Guidelines

Accessory Residential Buildings, Garages, Sheds, & Boathouses

A shed is exempt from obtaining a building permit provided that the shed (a) is not more than 15 m2 in gross area, (b) is not more than one storey in building height, (c) is not attached to a building or any other structure, (d) is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and (e) does not have plumbing.

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Additional Residential Dwelling Units (ARDU)

A permit is required for an accessory building or structure detached exceeding 10 sq m. (108 sq ft.) in size or contains plumbing fixtures.

A shed is exempt from obtaining a building permit provided that the shed (a) is not more than 15 m2 in gross area, (b) is not more than one storey in building height, (c) is not attached to a building or any other structure, (d) is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and (e) does not have plumbing.

Zoning Compliance Information for ARDUs

See Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014, provision 3.2.3 for full details. ARDUs are allowed in single-detached, semi-detached, street townhouses and accessory buildings or structures. They must be located on the same lot as the primary dwelling and must comply with the following:

• Can not have a way of internal access to the primary dwelling unit, except that access to a primary and second dwelling through a common vestibule entry is permitted;
• One(1) parking space shall be provided for the ARDU on the lot, in addition to the minimum required parking spaces for the primary dwelling unit, and in accordance with the Off-Street Parking bylaw;
• The maximum number of residential dwelling units permitted per lot shall be two(2) including the ARDU (for example; one ADU + primary dwelling unit)
• Is not permitted in a farm building, vacation home or
• Any other dwelling intended for vacations, recreation, seasonal or short-term accommodation purposes. Where an ARDU is located on a lot, a garden suite, boarding or lodging house, or rooming house are not permitted. If a garden suite, boarding or lodging house or rooming house exists on the lot, an ARDU is not permitted
• Are not permitted in buildings with a legal nonconforming use unless relief from the Zoning By-law has been approved through a Zoning By-Law Amendment or Minor Variance in order to establish such ARDU;
• Are only permitted in dwelling units connected to the municipal or private water services and sanitary sewer system or private septic systems;
• A minimum of 50% of the front yard shall be maintained as landscaped open space.
• Shall not be larger than 45% of the total useable floor area of the primary dwelling unit excluding any deck or unenclosed porch. It must also comply with section 3.2.1(g) for accessory structures permitted in the applicable zone.
• The Chief Building Official and his designate is responsible for the registration of each new accessory dwelling unit.
• Once a unit has been approved and a building permit issued, the permitted use shall apply to the property and not to the property owner.
• The approval and registration of an accessory dwelling unit may be revoked at any time by the General Manager of Planning and Development, the Chief Building Official, a By-law Enforcement Officer, the Fire Chief or any of his/her designates should it become obvious or apparent that the accessory unit is no longer in compliance with applicable legislation, by-law, building code or fire code, or any other applicable law under their authorities.

Sample ARDU Drawings

Complete Application

For questions regarding requirements for a municipal civic address, please contact our Geographic Information Systems Division at 519-426-5870 or email [email protected].

The following information is required to ensure that your registration and building permit applications are given full consideration. An incomplete or improperly prepared application may not be accepted or may result in delays in processing.

A complete application for this type of development includes:

• Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning & Building checklist: A complete ADU Building Permit Checklist consists of completing a checklist of items required for the ADU building permit.
• A Building Permit Application Form & Fees — A complete Building Permit Application Form is a ministry-prescribed form that is required in order to apply for a building permit. Fees will be calculated according to the value of construction.
• A Septic Application Form & Fees— A complete Septic Application Form is a ministry-prescribed form that is required in order to apply for a building permit. Fees will be calculated according to the type of septic you require.

An additional residential unit sometimes referred to as a secondary unit, is a self-contained unit that is either located within or attached to the primary dwelling unit or located within a detached accessory structure, subject to zoning requirements and restrictions.

There are several important factors you need to consider before adding an additional residential unit, including:

• zoning bylaw requirements
• designing your unit to comply with the Ontario Building Code
• necessary building permits

Do you have questions about adding an Additional Residential Unit (or ARU) to your property?  More information can be found at Norfolk County – Accessory Dwelling Units.

The province of Ontario has put together some basic information for property owners who are considering an ARU project; ‘Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House’ Guide and ‘Build or Buy a Tiny Home’ guide, by visiting the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website, or by searching for more information on the ‘More Homes, More Choice Act’ Housing Supply Action Plan.


Additional Residential Unit Permit Package – Detached Accessory Structure

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Agricultural Buildings

A farm building is a term defined in Division A, Part 1 of the Ontario Building Code as all or part of a building, that does not contain any area used for residential occupancy, that is associated with and located on land devoted to the practice of farming and that is used essentially for the housing of equipment or livestock, or the production, storage, or processing of agricultural and horticultural produce or feeds.

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Camp for the Housing for Farm Workers/Bunkhouses

A permit is required for an accessory building or structure detached exceeding 10 sq m. (108 sq ft.) in size or contains plumbing fixtures.

A shed is exempt from obtaining a building permit provided that the shed (a) is not more than 15 m2 in gross area, (b) is not more than one storey in building height, (c) is not attached to a building or any other structure, (d) is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and (e) does not have plumbing.

Bunkhouse Declaration Form

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