Other Considerations

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) design

A HVAC design is required and must be submitted at the time of building permit application submission for all new home construction and additions in the province of Ontario.
HVAC packages typically include the following (as applicable):
- Calculations for Heat Loss and Gain
- Ventilation Design
- HRV Design
- Duct Design (btu's, cfm's) and schematics based on your particular house design
- Hydronic in-floor Heating design with calculations and loop layout

Building Permit Process

It is highly recommended that clients have initial discussions with their municipalities zoning and building department before proceeding with any projects. The municipality will provide you with information such as zoning provisions (zoning classification, permitted uses, setbacks, parking requirements, landscaping requirements, etc.).

Building permits are required for any material alteration. Municipalities have different definitions for what this could mean but in general a building permit is required to erect, install, extend, alter or repair a building. Below is a list, although not comprehensive of the projects that would require a building permit. If in doubt, consult with your municipality.

  • Construction of a new home
  • Enclosing a porch or deck
  • Installing a ramp or elevating device
  • Addition of a decks/porches
  • Addition to an existing home (carport, garage, porch or room(s) to an existing home.)
  • Alterations to interior layout including the addition of skylights, windows or doors.
  • Install a wood burning appliance
  • Constructing or installing pre-fabricated detached accessory buildings such as a garage, or shed, larger than 108 square feet (10 square metres)
Step 1
Design Phase

Once completed, you will be ready to submit your construction documents to the municipality to begin the permit approval process.

Step 2
Building Permit Application Submission

Building Department will review the submitted documents for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, municipal bylaws, and other regulations. Per the Ontario Building Code, municipalities must respond to a building permit application within established timelines, as seen next. This could mean that a permit will be ready or correspondence will be issued to advise of anything missing.

Step 3
Building Permit Issuance

The municipality will respond depending on the classification of your project:

residential – 10 business days

small building – 15 business days

large building – 20 business days

complex building – 30 business days

Step 4
Construction Phase

Inspections – approved building documents must be available ready for presentation on-site at each inspection. Note: inspections must be arranged by the owner by calling ahead. As a rule of thumb, the municipalities Building Department will require 24-48 hours in advance.