Building Permits
Building Permits
Are you about to being your next building or renovation project in the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock? Make sure to obtain a building permit before you start. Building permits ensure that your project is built safely, and you avoid any costly repairs, removals, fees, or legal action if you build without a permit.
The process makes sure that your project follows:
- The Ontario Building Code
- Local Zoning By-laws
- Applicable laws and regulations
Applying for a Building Permit
An Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish is required for all building and demolition permits. An Application for a Septic Permit to Construct is required for all septic systems. The Township uses an online system to apply for and track building permits.
The Cloudpermit building permit system allows you to apply for and see the status of your application anywhere, anytime. You can start an application with the option to finish it later and receive email updates on the status of your application.
If you're applying for a building permit for the first time, the Township has a Cloudpermit Guide to help you set up an account and complete your application.
Once your application has been submitted the building department will review your application and assign the appropriate building permit fees. Once we issue your approved permit, your construction must start within six months. Once started, construction must not stop for more than one year or the permit may be revoked.
Building Inspections
Building inspections are required during the course of the project to ensure that all work is done in accordance with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning by-laws and other applicable laws and regulations.
Once you have received your permit and the work is underway, you will require building inspectors to visit your site and sign-off on your work at various points in the project. You can request these inspections through Cloudpermit or by calling the Township office at 519-462-2697.
It is the responsibility of the applicant (owner or authorized agent of the owner) to ensure that they or their contractor contact the Township to request an inspection at the readiness for an inspection or upon the substantial completion of the stage of construction as set out in the Ontario Building Code.
- Adding a bedroom to the basement
- Adding dormer to existing roof
- Additions to a building
- Attached garage, carport, shed or other roof structure of any size
- Backflow prevention device
- Basement or main floor walkouts
- Creating a duplex (a.k.a. in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
- Decks or porches greater than 23 5/8" above grade
- Demolition of a structure greater than 108 square feet in building area
- Backyard outdoor swimming pool
- Detached garage or accessory structure 108 square feet and greater (measured to the outside face of exterior walls)
- Sheds greater than 162 square feet (measured to the outside face of the exterior walls)
- Finishing the basement of a house
- Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential construction or alterations or changes of use
- Installing a new window or door - when increasing the width of the existing opening
- New residential dwellings
- Pending location, a retaining wall that is greater than 3'-3" in height
- Plumbing fixtures added or relocated
- Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
- Removing a load bearing wall, column, lintel or beam
- Renovation or converting an existing building (change of use)
- Septic system installations and alterations
- Site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
- Solar Panels that are mounted to a building
- Swimming pool or hot tub with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
- Tent or group of tents that is, more than 60m2 (646 ft2) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building, or constructed within 3m (9'-10") of any structure
- Woodstove or wood burning fireplace
- Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed)
- Fence unless installed around swimming pool or hot tub with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
- Gas fireplace
- Installing new shingles on existing roof
- Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Removing a non-load bearing wall in a single, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling
- Replacing a plumbing fixture (i.e. toilet, bathtub or sink) with a new fixture in the same location
- Structure less than 108 square feet measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)
- Water softener
Unsure if your project requires a building permit?
If you have questions regarding your construction projects, contact our Chief Building Official.