Building Permits
A building permit is your formal permission to begin the construction, demolition, addition or renovation on your property.
Please note: Email applications are no longer accepted. Please use the Norfolk CityView Portal or submit in person at 12 Gilbertson Drive, Simcoe.
On this page
- Projects that Require Permits
- Projects that Do Not Require Permits
- Application Requirements & How-To Guides
- How to Apply
- Fees
- Forms
Permit requirements
The following list includes examples of projects that require a building permit. Please keep in mind, however, this is not a complete list.
If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, please call the Building Department to discuss 226-NORFOLK or 519-426-5870 Ext. 6016.
- Building a detached garage, or accessory structure that is 10 square metres or 108 square feet or greater measured to the outside face of exterior walls.
- Building an attached carport or other roof structure of any size
- Building a porch or deck less than 10 square meters, and used as an exit from a building.
- Finishing the basement of a house
- Adding a bedroom to the basement
- Constructing an addition to a building
- Building an enclosure for a swimming pool with a depth of 16 inches or greater
- Creating a duplex (in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
- Removing a load-bearing wall, column, lintel or beam
- Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
- Adding a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace
- Installing a new window or door that increases the width of the existing opening
- Mounting solar panels on roofs
- Installing or altering a septic system
- Installing site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
- Building new residential dwellings
- Demolishing a structure greater than 10 square metres or 108 square feet in the building area
- Installing a tent or group of tents that are more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building or constructed within three metres (nine feet and 10 inches) of any structure
- Constructing or altering an industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential building
- Farm Buildings
- Sheds for residential use, one storey in height, used for storage, and over 15 square meters or 162 square feet measured to the outside face of exterior walls.
The following list includes examples of projects that do not require 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 in size, measured from the outside face of walls, and that does not contain plumbing fixtures
Application Requirements & How-To Guides
Depending on the type of building permit required, there are several documents that must be included in the application. The Building Permit Packages below include all the documents needed for that type of permit.
The Norfolk County Building Department issues permits and orders according to the Ontario Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code.
Review the How-To Guide for the Building Permit application and Schedules.
In many instances, before a building permit application can be processed and a permit issued, other approvals from other agencies are required. These approvals are not administered by the Building Department. Please ensure all the necessary approvals are complete using the Applicable Law Checklist
Project-Specific How-to Guides
- Accessory Residential Buildings, Garages, Sheds, & Boathouses
- Additional Residential Dwelling Units (ARDU)
- Agricultural Buildings
- Camp for the Housing for Farm Workers/Bunkhouses
- Civic Address
- Decks & Porches
- Demolition
- Factory Built Homes & Trailers
- Fences
- Industrial, Institutional, Commercial
- Residential Additions, Alterations, Renovations.
- Residential Buildings
- Septic Systems — New and Repairs
- Signs
- Solar Panels
- Stages & Structures
- Swimming Pools
- Tents & Temporary Structures
- Water, Sanitary and Storm Sewer Connections
- Wood Stoves
Information about finding a qualified designer/firm
The Building Code Act requires that a range of individuals and firms responsible for design activities regulated under the Act be qualified in their appropriate design area and, when required, registered with the province.
Construction Drawing Examples (TACBOC)
These drawings illustrate some of the minimum Ontario Building Code Requirements which apply to typical residential construction in the Greater Toronto Area and are provided for information purposes only. They do not necessarily represent every detail of building construction or all applicable minimum standards. For more detailed information about construction regulations, refer to the Ontario Building Code or a qualified designer.
How to Apply
In-Person or Online
- In-Person: Visit our service counter at 12 Gilbertson Drive, Simcoe, ON. Please call or email ahead and make an appointment.
- Online Portal: Visit the Norfolk Permits Portal and submit your application online.
How-to video
Watch a playlist of our how-to videos about the CityView Portal, an online portal for applying for building permits, checking the status of an application, requesting building inspections, and submitting bylaw cases.
Fees
All 2025 fees can be found in 2025 User Fees and Service Charges with Amendments.
Please note that applications are not accepted until the permit fee is paid.
Forms
A list of all Norfolk County Forms can be found at Forms, Permits and Licensing Application Page
- Building Permit Application - Application to Construct or Demolish
- Schedule 1: Designers Information
- Schedule 2: Septic Installers Information
- “How To” Complete a Building Permit Application
- Sign Permit Application Form
Additional Standard Forms
- Alternative Solution Application Form
- Applicant Authorization Form
- Applicable Law Checklist
- Bunkhouse Declaration
- Commitment to General Review
- Demolition Checklist
- Greenhouse Declaration
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) – Performance
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) - Prescriptive
- Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary
- SB-10 Energy Efficiency – Part 3 checklists – ASHRAE 90.1-2013
- SB-10 Energy Efficiency - Part 9 checklists
- Septic System Worksheets (new / repair / replacement)
- Septic System Information Request Form
- Tent – Fire Safety Plan
Other Department Forms
- Civic Address
- Entrance permit
- Lot Grading Form
- Lot Grading Exemption Required Form
- Water/Sanitary/Storm Connection Permit Application
- Water Service Request Form
Other application types
