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# Building Permits and Applications
Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must obtain a permit to construct, demolish, renovate, or alter a building. Construction cannot begin until you have been issued a permit.
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## On this page
* Building permit process
* Building permit fees
* Forms, drawings and plans
* Application timelines
* Inspections
* Additional approvals and contacts
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Planning construction work? Be sure to check the zoning for your project location.
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## Before you start your application
* Confirm whether a permit is needed for your project
* Check the zoning for your project location using our interactive zoning map or by contacting the Building Division to find out if there are any restrictions on what you can build.
* Confirm whether your project requires approval from agencies other than Haldimand. Where additional approvals are required, you must obtain them before you can apply for permits.
* Book a locate request to safely identify any buried infrastructure on the property through Ontario One Call.
* Gather the forms, drawings and plans that must be submitted with your application.
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## Building permit process
Permit applications can be submitted by the property owner or by an agent on behalf of the property owner, such as a contractor or designer. Note that the Owners Authorization form (PDF) is required when a contractor or designer is applying for the Building Permit.
1. Review what you should do before applying for a permit
2. Submit your permit application through our online portal
3. Zoning By-law review
4. Pay the applicable fees
5. We will process your application within a defined timeline based on completeness and complexity
6. The building department will review your application form, and if approved, you will be issued your permit via email, and can then begin construction. Additional fees may be applicable depending on permit type
7. Arrange inspections as required
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## Applying for your permit
After you've completed all required forms and documents, submit your application through our online portal. Once you've started your application, you can save it at any time and finish your submission within 30 days. After 30 days, your incomplete application will be deleted and you must begin the process again.
Once registered on the portal, you will be able to apply, upload documents, pay fees, check your permit's status and request inspections.
Start your application
If you require help at any time during the building permit process, contact staff in our Building division for assistance.
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## Building permit fees
Building permit fees depend on the floor area, scope of work and the type of building being constructed or altered. A Building Inspector will calculate your applicable fee(s) after an initial review of your application.
View all permit fees.
Depending on your project, there may also be additional fees such as development charges or deposits you need to pay before your permit is issued.
Additional fees may apply should construction begin without a permit.
Ways to pay
There are three ways you can pay your permit fees:
### 1. Online
If you submitted your application through the online portal, you can also pay your fees through your portal account.
Credit card and VISA debit payments are accepted.
**Note:** Development Charges can also be paid online, subject to a 2.5% fee. Online payments are limited to a maximum charge of $100,000 per single transaction.
### 2. In person
You can pay in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 2nd Floor, 53 Thorburn Street South.
Debit, credit card and cheque payments are accepted.
### 3. By mail or drop-off
For all mail or drop-off payments, please ensure the building permit pending application number is included.
You can mail a cheque payable to Haldimand County to:
53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, ON
N0A 1E0
Or drop a cheque off at the drop box on the side of the building off Chippewa Street.
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## Forms, drawings and plans
As part of your permit application, you'll be required to include any applicable forms, drawings and documents required for your project.
Required forms will be shown as submittal items in your portal account. Any additional forms or drawings needed for clarity will be requested by the building inspector upon review.
Commonly required forms, drawings and plans
### Application forms
* Building Permit Application
1. Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF)
2. Schedule 1: Designer Information (PDF)
3. Schedule 2: Sewage System Installer Information (PDF)
4. Application for On-Site Sewage Permit (PDF)
* Civic Address Request Form (PDF)
* Commitment to General Review - Part 3 (PDF)
* Confirmation of Insulation (PDF)
* Connection Permit - Water, Sewer, Sewer Lateral, Sanitary Connection/Repair (PDF)
* Demolition Pre-Permit Clearance (PDF)
* Energy Efficiency Design Summary - Performance (PDF)
* Energy Efficiency Design Summary - Prescriptive (PDF)
* Entrance Permit Application (PDF)
* Holding Tank Agreement for Sewage Waste (PDF)
* Owner's Authorization (PDF)
* Plumbing Permit Application Form (PDF)
* Residential Mechanical Ventilation Record - HRV (PDF)
* Road Damage Deposit Form (PDF)
* Structural Addition Evaluation (PDF)
* SB-10 Form (PDF)
* Routine Disclosure (PDF)
* Applicable Law Checklist (PDF)
### Drawings, plans and documents
* All required plans and documents shall be submitted as unlocked documents
* All required construction plans shall be submitted together as one document with adequate space for inspector notes/comments and stamps
* Completed and detailed construction drawings in electronic format
+ Complete drawings in Foundation Planview, Framing Planview, Section Planview, Elevation (all sides) Planview
* Foundation Plan Drawing:
+ type of foundation being used (slab, foundation wall, pier)
+ size of footing
+ depth of foundation
+ compressive strength of concrete
+ location of underground plumbing rough-in
+ location of rough-in for sub-floor depressurization system (please note a hatched line showing pipe to center of slab)
* Framing Plan should include:
+ Floor layouts
+ Room locations, names, and sizes
+ Location and size of openings
+ Size of lintels over openings
+ Size and spacing of structural members (studs, floor joists, beams, columns)
+ Roof framing plan showing the size, spacing, and connection details of rafters (if trusses are being used provide engineered truss package)
* Section Plan should include:
+ Height of building
+ Foundation and framing details
+ Connection details between building systems
+ Wall assembly details (exterior cladding, framing members, insulation, interior finish)
+ Basement wall assembly details
+ Roof assembly details.
* Elevation Plan should include:
+ Height and width of the building from all four sides
+ A detailed view of what the exterior of the building will look like
+ Location and size of any openings
+ Roof slope.
* Site Plan: A to-scale site plan including north arrow and information on any existing buildings on the property.
* + Includes a copy of a survey or plot plan clearly showing measurements of the lot, yards, location of the proposed building, setbacks and any overhead or buried site and utility services.
+ For rural properties, please also include distances for septic systems, and location of wells/cisterns on primary and neighbouring properties.
For additional direction and help with forms and documents, contact a Building Inspector.
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## Application timelines
The timeline for processing a building permit will vary based on:
* The quality and completeness of the application
* The level of compliance with applicable regulations
* The size and complexity of the project
In general, once an application is determined to be complete, the following processing timeframes apply according to the nature of the project.
Typically processed within 10 working days
* Houses
+ Single-family dwellings/semi-detached houses, townhouses and row houses where no dwelling unit is located above another dwelling unit
+ Additions, and renovations to houses described above
+ Attached garages, carports, decks, etc.
* Detached structures **not exceeding** 55 m2 serving a building described above (sheds, garages, carports, pool houses, gazebos, decks, etc.)
* Septic systems serving part 9 buildings
* Tents
Typically processed within 15 working days
* Stacked townhouses and houses with a dwelling unit above another dwelling unit
* Detached structures exceeding 55 m2and serving a house
* Buildings other than those described above where part 9 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
+ 3 or fewer storeys in height
+ Building area less than 600 m2
+ Major occupancies are classified as:
- Residential (C)
- Business and Personal Services (D) (example offices)
- Mercantile (E) (example retail)
- Medium and/or low-hazard industrial (F2/F3)
* Farm buildings **not exceeding** 600 m2 in building area
Typically processed within 20 working days
* Buildings where part 3 of the Ontario Building Code is applicable
+ More than 3 storeys and/or
+ Greater than 600 m2
* Building areas **less than**600 m2 used for major occupancies are classified as:
+ Assembly (including restaurants over 30 seats) (A)
+ Care and Treatment or Detention (B)
+ High Hazard Industrial (F1)
* Farm buildings **exceeding**600 m2 in building area
* Designated structures
Typically processed within 30 working days
* Post-disaster buildings
* High buildings to which Ontario Building Code 3.2.6. applies
* Buildings with interconnected floor areas to which Ontario Building Code 3.2.8.3. through 3.2.8.11 applies
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Application review times are subject to change depending on request volumes, complexity, staff availability and resubmissions.
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## Building inspections
Inspections must be arranged for all projects requiring a permit. Many projects require multiple inspections throughout construction. Learn more about building inspections.
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## Additional approvals and contacts
Depending on the type of project you're working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your building permit can be issued.
You may also need to be in contact with multiple departments, authorities, agencies, organizations and associations throughout your project.
Find common additional approvals and frequently required contacts below.
Additional approvals that may be required
If you require approval from any additional agencies, you must obtain approval **before** submitting your application.
Common additional approvals include:
* Conservation authority approval for construction near streams or in flood-prone areas.
+ Grand River Conservation Authority
+ Long Point Conservation Authority
+ Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
* Heritage Haldimand approval for work affecting designated heritage buildings.
* Approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for construction close to intensive animal operations
* Ministry of Transportation approval for construction setbacks and entrance permits on Provincial highways.
* Approval from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for work requiring environmental compliance.
Additional contacts you might need
Conservation authorities
* Grand River Conservation Authority
* Long Point Region Conservation Authority
* Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
Government agencies
* Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and Ministry of Rural Affairs
* Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
* Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
* Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
* Ministry of Transportation
Organizations and associations
* CSA Standards
* Ontario Building Envelope Council
* Ontario Building Officials Association
* Ontario General Contractors Association
* Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association
* Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association Inc.
* Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre
* Tarion
Other County departments
* Fire Services
* Heritage Haldimand
* Planning and Development division
* Water and Wastewater
Utilities
* Bell Canada
* Electrical Safety Authority
* Fuel Safety Branch (Technical Standards and Safety Authority)
* Hydro One
* Ontario One Call (Call Before You Dig)
* Rogers Cable
* Enbridge - Natural Gas
Contact Us
**Building**
53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, Ontario
Canada, N0A 1E0
Email the Building Division
Email Building Inspections
Phone: 905-318-5932, ext. 8300