Building Permits

Building Permit Application

Pool, Hot Tub, Spas

• Building Permit Application
• Site Plan

Renovations

• Building Permit Application
• Construction Drawings

Decks

• Building Permit Application
• Construction Drawings
• Site Plan

Demolition 

• Building Permit Application
• Scope of Work

Accessory Shed or Garage

• Building Permit Application
• Construction Drawings
• Site Plan

New House / Building

• Building Permit Application
• Construction Drawings
• Site Plan

Sample Site Plan

Final permit requirements to be determined by the Building Department, based on each application received. 

The types of projects that require a building permit include but are not limited to:

• Pools
• Roofed Porches
• Sunrooms
• Carports
• Attached or detached garages or sheds
• Additions
• Decks 
• New or structural alterations; example: larger windows and doors, load bearing walls, etc.
• Any new buildings including farm buildings and structures
• Addition of a bedroom in a basement
• Changing the use or occupancy of a building; example: commercial to residential

If construction has started prior to the issuance of a Building Permit:

• Costly repairs may be required to gain compliance;
• Removal of work done not in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and/or other applicable law may be required;
• The Building Permit fee may be increased;
• Legal action may be initiated by the Municipality to gain Building Code compliance.

If you are not sure if a Building Permit is required for your project please contact the Building Department.

When applying for a Building Permit you will need to submit a completed application form and a copy of the following construction drawings:

• Floor plans for each floor
• Elevations
• Cross sections
• Mechanical/structural/electrical plans or data
• Plot plan/survey or site plan and

As the owner, you may design your own project and produce your own construction drawings. However, if you are not familiar with various government regulations, by-laws and Ontario Building Code requirements, you should hire a qualified designer instead. Delays in the issuance of your permit can arise if your construction drawings and specification submissions are not complete or do not conform to the Ontario Building Code and/or Zoning By-Law.

Most designs for Building Permits, not completed by the owner, will require a designer registered and/or qualified under the Ontario Building Code BCIN (an Architect or Engineer is exempt from this requirement). You may wish to check with the Building Department to find out whether your project requires a qualified designer.

Qualified designers will have a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN). 

Upon obtaining a Building Permit, the property owner or contractor is required to arrange for inspections of the ongoing construction. The Building Department completes the Building Code required inspections. 

Our Building Officials will inspect at key stages of construction (required inspection stages). It is the permit holder's (applicant’s/property owner's/contractor's) responsibility to call the Building Officials to arrange for inspections at the required inspection stages. The permit holder must also understand that they must comply with all of the inspection and its requirements.

Requests for inspections can be made by contacting the Building Department by phone or email. The scheduling of appointments for inspections are made with the Building Officials.

The 2024 Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month grace period until March 31, 2025 for certain designs that are already underway.

Please take careful note of the following transition period dates:

Until December 31, 2024

Permit applications must be submitted using the 2012 Building Code

January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025

Permit applications may be submitted using the new 2024 Building Code

Permit applications may be submitted using the 2012 Building Code if the applicant demonstrates that their working drawings were substantially complete by December 31, 2024

April 1, 2025

Permit applications must be submitted using the 2024 Building Code

The Municipality of South Dundas encourages all developers, contractors, and homeowners to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes to ensure a smooth transition. Learn more here.

Find more information: 2024 Ontario Building Code

For further questions, please reach contact the Municipal Office.
613-543-2673
mail@southdundas.com