Building and Renovating

A municipal building permit is your formal permission to begin construction, renovation, or demolition of structures on your property. All building plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code and local zoning by-laws. Municipal building permits help ensure that any construction or structural changes are safe and up to code. It is unlawful to start construction or demolition before you get a permit.

You need a municipal building permit if you plan to:

• construct a new building - a 'building' is defined in the Building Code Act as a 'structure occupying an area greater than 15m² which consists of a wall, roof, and floor OR any one or more of these.
• build an addition on an existing building
• place a 'sea can' type storage container on your property that is larger than 15m²
• demolish or remove all or a part of a building
• change a building's use, i.e. seasonal to permanent residential
• install, change or remove interior walls (partitions) and load-bearing walls
• make new openings for or increase the size of doors and windows
• build a garage, carport, balcony, porch, sunroom, or deck
• excavate and construct a basement or foundation
• install or modify heating, plumbing, air conditioning  or fireplaces

You do not need a municipal building permit to:

• replace existing same-size doors and windows
• build a roofless deck under two feet high that is not attached to a building
• build a utility shed under 15m² (161.459 ft²) subject to distance from property lines
• erect a small portable tarp style car shelter with no foundation
• replace the shingles on a roof
• re-insulate or add insulation
• repair or realign a chimney
• repair leaky foundations where there is no structural work involved
• install eavestrough, provided drainage is contained on your property
• install kitchen or bathroom cabinets without plumbing
• paint or decorate

Building permit fees

The fee for the building permit will depend on the scope of the project. The Chief Building Official calculates the fees in accordance with the Permit Fees By-law and is based on the square footage and type of construction.

Electrical permits

For all electrical permits and required inspections contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233.

Septic field permits

For all septic field and leaching bed installations, permits and inspections contact the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at (807) 625-5900.

Development Near Shorelines and Watercourses

If you plan on doing work to your shoreline property or near a creek or watercourse on your property, you may need a permit from the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. The LRCA administers Ontario Regulation 180/06 as amended by Ontario Regulation 63/13 Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses under the Conservation Authorities Act within our Area of Jurisdiction. The LRCA is also a commenting agency for all Planning Act applications regarding natural hazards. 

Development Near Livestock Operations

When a new livestock facility or a new dwelling adjacent to a livestock operation is proposed, the new structures must meet the setback requirements under the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae and Guidelines. For more information regarding MDS please visit our Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) page.