Questions property owners and contractors actually ask.
Direct answers first. More context second. Where a rule matters, we link to current Ontario or municipal guidance and show when the content was reviewed.
Short questions, dedicated answers
Find the permit question that matches your project. Each guide gives a focused Ontario permit answer, explains the drawings or approvals commonly involved, and links directly to the related permit drawing service.
What Drawings Are Needed for a Building Permit?
A building permit drawing package depends on the project. Common components can include existing and proposed floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections,…
Read answer →Do I Need a Building Permit for My Project?
A permit is commonly required for new buildings, additions and material alterations. Structural changes, new or enlarged openings, decks/porches, larger accessory…
Read answer →Do I Need a Basement Permit?
Finishing or altering a basement can require a building permit when the work creates rooms/living space, a second unit, new openings/walkouts, structural changes,…
Read answer →What Drawings Are Needed for a Basement Permit?
A basement permit drawing set commonly starts with existing and proposed floor plans. Depending on the scope, the municipality may also require sections,…
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Home Addition?
A rear, side or second-storey home addition generally requires a building permit because it creates new floor area and changes the building. Zoning, site plan…
Read answer →Load-Bearing Wall Removal Permit: Do I Need One?
A load-bearing wall removal permit is commonly required when a structural wall is removed or a large opening is created, because the work changes the building load path. The existing…
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Deck?
Deck permit requirements depend on factors such as attachment to the house, height above grade, size and local municipal rules. Even when a building permit is not…
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Garden Suite?
A garden suite is a separate dwelling unit and requires a building permit where it is permitted. Before the floor plan is developed too far, the property should be…
Read answer →What Is a Site Plan for a Building Permit?
A site plan is a scaled drawing that places the proposed work on the property. Depending on the permit, it can show property lines, existing and proposed buildings,…
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Detached Garage?
A detached garage can require a building permit based on its size, construction and municipal rules. Zoning, setbacks, lot coverage and site-plan information can also affect the project.
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Basement Walkout?
A new basement entrance or walkout generally requires permit review because it changes the foundation, exterior wall, stairs, grading and potentially structural conditions.
Read answer →Do I Need a Permit for a Commercial Renovation?
Commercial interior alterations can require a building permit when partitions, exits, fire separations, accessibility, plumbing, HVAC, structure or occupancy are affected.
Read answer →Permit questions before you start
Quick answers to common Ontario building permit, zoning, BCIN, engineering and submission questions. Open a detailed permit guide or matching service page when your project needs more specific information.
Do I need a permit for a basement apartment in Ontario?
Usually, creating a new dwelling unit or legalizing an existing basement apartment involves a building permit because the work can affect life safety, fire separations, exiting, plumbing, HVAC and other Building Code requirements. Zoning and municipal additional-unit rules must also be checked for the property. Electrical work is separate through the Electrical Safety Authority.
What does a BCIN-qualified designer actually do?
BCIN is an identification and registration system used for qualified building practitioners in Ontario. For design work within the applicable qualification, a qualified designer reviews and takes responsibility for the design activities they identify. Municipal guidance commonly requires the designer’s name, registration and qualification information, signature and prescribed responsibility statement. 828 Design uses BCIN qualifications only within the applicable registered categories and coordinates separately regulated work where required.
Can 828 Design just stamp drawings prepared by someone else?
No automatic or rubber-stamp service should be assumed. A qualified designer must perform a real review of the defined design scope and can require corrections, more information or site verification before accepting responsibility. Work that is incomplete, inaccurate, outside qualification or professionally unacceptable can be refused.
Does a building permit include the electrical permit?
No. ESA explains that a municipal building permit and an ESA electrical notification are separate. Almost all electrical work requires an ESA notification. The person doing the electrical work files it; if a Licensed Electrical Contractor is hired, that contractor files its notification.
When might an independent professional engineer be required?
Engineering can be required for structural beams/openings, underpinning, complex foundations, certain commercial or industrial systems, equipment loads and other professional-engineering work. Under 828’s liaison model, engineering opinions, calculations, reports, drawings, letters and seals are issued by the responsible independent licensed engineer or engineering firm.
Can 828 guarantee that the city will approve my permit?
No. A complete, coordinated package can reduce avoidable deficiencies, but the municipality applies the Building Code, zoning, applicable law and its own review process. Additional information or revisions may still be requested and municipal timing is outside the designer’s control.
What drawings are commonly needed for a home addition?
A typical addition package can include a site plan, existing and proposed floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, construction details and zoning statistics. Structural, HVAC, grading, survey, energy or other information may also be required depending on the project.
Should zoning be checked before design starts?
Yes. Zoning can control use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking and other site standards. Checking early helps identify whether the concept fits the zoning or whether redesign, a minor variance or another approval may be needed.
What happens if my proposal does not comply with zoning?
First identify exactly which zoning provisions are not met and whether the design can be revised. If relief is still needed, a minor variance or other planning process may be appropriate. The municipality or Committee of Adjustment—not the designer—decides whether relief is granted.
Can I start construction while the permit is being reviewed?
Work that requires a permit should not begin until the required permit or approval has been issued. Starting early can lead to stop-work action, redesign, opening completed work for inspection, added cost and enforcement consequences.
What should I send for an initial permit review?
Send the property address, a plain-language description of what you want to build, any survey or existing drawings, clear photos, relevant city comments/orders and your timing goals. For commercial work, include the existing/proposed use, landlord/base-building information and equipment requirements if applicable.
Do I need a survey?
Many additions, new houses and site-sensitive projects benefit from or require reliable property-line information. A measured building drawing is not a legal survey. Where boundaries, easements or encroachments matter, an Ontario land surveyor may be required.
What happens after a permit application is submitted?
The municipality commonly performs intake or prescreening, then plan examiners review the package. They may issue comments or deficiency requests. Revised drawings/supporting documents are resubmitted until the application is approved or otherwise resolved. After issuance, required inspections must be arranged.
How long does a permit take?
There is no single reliable timeline for every project. Review time depends on the municipality, project type, completeness, zoning/applicable-law approvals, consultant documents, municipal workload and response time to comments.
Can you help with existing illegal or unpermitted work?
Potentially, after the actual existing condition and municipal history are reviewed. Existing work may need measured drawings, investigation, professional input, correction or removal before it can be accepted. Existing construction is not automatically legalizable as built.
Do commercial renovations always need a permit?
Not every cosmetic change triggers a permit, but changes to partitions, exits, fire separations, plumbing, HVAC, structural elements, accessibility or occupancy/use commonly can. A change of use may require approval even where construction is limited.
What is the difference between zoning approval and a building permit?
Zoning review checks whether the proposed use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, parking and other site standards comply with the applicable zoning rules. Building permit review focuses on Building Code and applicable-law requirements for the proposed construction. A project can satisfy one review and still require changes or approval under the other.
Who can prepare building permit drawings in Ontario?
Who may prepare and take responsibility for permit drawings depends on the building type, project scope and any applicable exemption. Many projects use a qualified designer registered for the applicable Ontario Building Code category; certain work may require an architect or professional engineer, while some owners may qualify for an exemption. The correct design responsibility should be confirmed for the actual project before submission.
Choose the project you need help with
Choose the project type that best matches your proposed work. These permit service pages cover building permit drawings for basements, additions, structural openings, decks, site plans, custom homes, suites, multiplexes and commercial renovations.
Building Permit Drawings
Start with the main permit drawing and application-support service for residential and commercial projects.
View service →Basement Permit Drawings
Basement renovation, second-unit and basement apartment permit drawings and coordination.
View service →Home Addition Permit Drawings
Rear, side and second-storey addition permit drawings, zoning and consultant coordination.
View service →Load-Bearing Wall Removal Permit
Permit drawings and structural coordination for load-bearing wall removal and new structural openings.
View service →Site Plan Drawings
Site plan drawings for building permits, additions, garages, suites and other site-sensitive projects.
View service →Deck & Porch Permit Drawings
Permit drawings for decks, porches and related residential exterior structures.
View service →Custom Home Permit Drawings
New house and custom home permit drawings with zoning and technical coordination.
View service →Garden Suite Permit Drawings
Garden suite permit drawings, zoning review, site planning and submission support.
View service →Laneway Suite Permit Drawings
Toronto laneway suite permit drawings, zoning/site coordination and submission support.
View service →Multiplex Permit Drawings
Permit drawings for duplex, triplex, fourplex and other qualifying multi-unit projects.
View service →Commercial Renovation Permit Drawings
Tenant improvement and commercial renovation permit drawings and application coordination.
View service →Restaurant & Café Permit Drawings
Permit drawings and coordination for restaurant, café and food-service renovation projects.
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