Building Permits

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 a shed for residential use, one storey in height, used for storage, under 15 square meters or 162 square feet measured to the outside face of exterior walls, and that does not contain plumbing fixtures.

• 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

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

Effective as of January 1, 2024.   
Refer to the user fee by-law for a complete listing of approved fees.  

Per square metre (m²), rates are calculated on the overall square footage of each floor area, garage and deck added together. The overall value is rounded up to the nearest square metre. Examples are available at the bottom of this fee list.   

m²

Building Permit  

• Minimum Fee for Permit (for sq.m. calculations or not otherwise listed) — $245.00 flat fee 
   
• Assembly Permit— New or Addition $23.45 per m²
• Assembly Permit — Alteration or Repair $11.70 per m²

  

• Institutional Permit — New or Addition $29.25 per m²
• Institutional Permit — Alteration or Repair $14.65 per m²
   
• Residential Permit — New or Addition $19.15 per m²
• Residential Permit — Alteration or Repair $ 9.60 per m²
• Apartment Building Permit $19.05 per m²
• Hotel / Motel Permit $25.15 per m²

  

• Business (Office) Permit — New or Addition $22.75 per m²
• Business (Office) Permit — Alteration or Repair $11.40 per m²

  

• Mercantile (retail) Permit — New or Addition $22.75 per m²
• Mercantile (retail) Permit — Alteration or Repair $11.40 per m²

  

• Industrial  Permit — New or Addition $13.70 per m²
• Industrial Permit — Alteration or Repair $ 6.85 m²
• Parking Garage Permit —   $8.05 m²
• Gas Station Permit — $14.70 per m²

  

• Farm Building — New or Addition $3.30 per m²
• Farm Building — Alteration or Repairs $ 1.85 per m²
• Greenhouse Permits — $2.05 per m²
• Silo Permit — $504.00 flat fee  

  

• Accessory Structures Permit (garage, storage shed, new basement, cold cellar, unenclosed canopies, air-supported structures) — $4.45 per m²

  

• Occupancy Permit — Prior to Final Completion , $168.00 per unit  

  

• Portable Classroom Permit— $336.00 flat fee  
• Outdoor Patio Permit (non-residential) — $195.00 flat fee  
• Communication Tower Permit — $504.00 flat fee  
• Crane Runway Permit — $504.00 flat fee  
• Exterior Storage Tank Permit — Above and Below Ground (excluding firefighting water reservoirs) $504.00 flat fee  

• Retaining Wall Permit — $504.00 flat fee  

  

• Electromagnetic Locks / Strikes Permit — $168.00 each  
• Fire Alarm System Permit — $420.00 flat fee  
• Emergency Lighting / Exit Signs Permit — $420.00 flat fee  
• Sprinkler System Permit — $420.00 flat fee  
• Standpipe System Permit — $420.00 flat fee  
• Combined Sprinkler and Standpipe System Permit — $580.00 flat fee  
• Commercial Cooking Exhaust System Permit $420.00 flat fee  
• Geothermal System Permit (single-family dwelling, semi, duplex) — $504.00 flat fee  
• Geothermal System Permit (Other) — $560.00 flat fee  
• Wind Turbine Permit — $504.00 flat fee  
• Temporary Structures Permit (tent)— $84.00 flat fee  

 

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.

 

• 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

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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

• Building Department Complaint Form
• Document Request Form
• Temporary Dwelling Form
• Zoning and Property Information Request - 2024