Building Permits

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.

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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

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Complete Application

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

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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A permit is required to construct a new camp for the housing of workers/bunkhouse, or conversion of a dwelling into a bunkhouse.

Bunkhouse Declaration Form

Norfolk County’s Building Department accepts applications for civic addresses for the GIS Department Civic Addressing and Street Names

A permit is required when a deck or porch is over 10 square meters in the building area or is used as an exit from a building.

A demolition permit is required to demolish, or partially demolish, a structure greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet), except for farm buildings.

Demolition Checklist

A permit is required for the construction of a factory-built home, manufactured home, house trailer, garden suite and park model homes.

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Thinking of constructing a fence on your property? Before you start, here is a guide to help you through the project.

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Learn about our different building permits and what you need to include in your application.

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A building permit is required for the construction of an addition, or alteration of a residential building. Additions may include sunrooms, attached garages and one or two-storey additions. Interior renovations that require a building permit include finishing an unfinished space in a home, such as a basement, adding or removing walls, structural changes and addition or change of plumbing.

A building permit is required for the construction of a single-family home, semi-detached home, and townhouses.

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Sewage system permits are required to ensure proper functioning septic systems are installed and meet the minimum requirements of the Ontario Building Code (OBC).

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The Ontario Building Code (OBC) requires that a building permit be issued for signs that are attached to a building or are designated structures. Please refer to Norfolk County Sign By-law for more information.

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Building permits are required for any solar panel installations that have an aggregate face area of 5 square metres (54 square feet) or greater that is mounted to a building or structure or designed to provide hot water, or designed to provide primary or supplementary heating. Permits are not required for ground-mounted solar panel systems that are not connected to water or heating sources. Solar Panel Permit Package

Building permits are required for demountable stages and demountable structures.

If you propose installing a privately-owned swimming pool on your property, a proper pool enclosure must be installed that meets the requirements of the Norfolk County Swimming Pool Fence By-law. You must obtain a swimming pool enclosure permit from the Norfolk County Building Department to ensure that your pool enclosure meets the requirements set out in the fence bylaw. 

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A temporary structure permit is required for a tent or group of tents if the area is greater than 60 square metres (646 square feet).

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Fire Safety Plan

Water and sanitary sewer connection permits are required when water or sanitary sewer service is constructed, repaired, or altered on private property. Norfolk County’s Building Department accepts applications for connection permits for Public Works Division.

Questions regarding Connection Permits can be forwarded to [email protected]

Water/ Sanitary Sewer/Storm Sewer Service Installation Guidelines – Residential Water Service Exemption Request Form

A building permit is required for the installation of a new or used wood stove, new chimney, a factory-built fireplace or hearth-mounted stove inside or attached to a building and must comply with the Ontario Building Code for clearances from combustible materials. A building permit is not required for outdoor furnaces if the building in which they are enclosed is under 10 square metres (108 square feet).

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Building Permit

• $75.00 for the first $3000 of construction value.
  • (plus) $13 per $1000 of construction thereafter.

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Plumbing Permit

• Residential is $7 per fixture plus a $50 initial fee.
• Commercial is $13 per fixture plus a $65 initial fee.

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Demolition Permit

• $75 if under 600 square metres.
• $150 if 600 square metres or higher.

Agricultural building(s) are exempt.

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Change of Use

• $75
  • must be a permitted use listed in the current by-law.

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Septic Permit

• $500 new installation
• $500 for replacement
• $350 repair or partial replacement
• $160 structural addition

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Solar Panels

• Flat fee for solar panel permits $500

Refer to the development charges page for more information. Development charges are due at the time of the building permit application.

• 2023 Development Charges Brochure

The Building Department collects fees on behalf of other departments. Lot grading exemption fees, water, sanitary, & storm connection fee, and civic address are collected at the time of the building permit application. Refer to the User Fee By-law for current fees.