Building Permits

Building and demolition is regulated by the Ontario Building Code, and administered by the Municipality. ALL building and demolition projects must meet the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, as well as any other applicable legislation. Building permits are necessary to ensure that applicable provincial laws, zoning requirements, fire and structural safety standards are met.

A building permit is required for the construction or alteration of any structure over 10 metres square (108 square feet). However, in the case of a detached shed, the limit for no permit has increased to 14.8 metres square (160 square feet). It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that a building permit is obtained prior to any construction or demolition is started.

Permit Applications & Fees

The Municipality of South Dundas uses the online community development platform Cloudpermit for building permits and inspections. So, you can complete the entire building permit process online on your phone, tablet, and laptop. With Cloudpermit, you can:

Apply for building permits at any time, from anywhere
Check the status of your building permit or building inspection (when your application status changes, you’ll automatically receive an email letting you know)
Schedule or cancel building inspections
Communicate with your building department with time-stamped messages
Request and submit changes to an existing building permit

How to get started:
To start, create your Cloudpermit account by visiting https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login
Once registered, you can apply for building permits and track their progress online.

Notes:
Contact the Building Department early in the planning stages of your project BEFORE any drawings are started if you have any questions.

Physical Building Permit Application Forms are available at the South Dundas Municipal Office or can be printed off from the links below. Completed forms should be emailed or brought to the Municipal Office accompanied by the following requirements:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Ontario Building Code: Changes Effective January 1, 2025

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) announced a new Ontario Building Code (OBC) set to take effect January 1st, 2025. Along with the efforts of harmonization among Provincial Codes and the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), one of the desired goals is to reduce red tape and construction barriers.

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

Alerts

Permit Applications & Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario Building Code: Changes Effective January 1, 2025