When do I need a building permit?

As the building owner, you are ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.

The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit. The list is not exhaustive. If you have any questions please contact Toronto Building.

1. Construct a new building
2. Construct an additionto an existing building, such as
   • second or third story additions
   • attached garages, carports
   • sunrooms
   • solariums, porches, decks
3. Make structural or material alterations, such as
   • adding or removing walls (i.e., changing room sizes and/or uses)
   • new windows or doors where there were none before
   • enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors
   • enclosing an existing deck, porch or patio of any size
4. Construct a shed with an area of 15 square meters (161 square feet) or more.
   • Note: Sheds under 15 square metres in area, do not need a building permit.  See “When is a Building Permit not required?” below for exceptions to this rule
5. Construct an accessory structurelarger than 10 square meters (107 square feet) in area, such as
   • Detached Garage
   • Workshop
   • Carport
   • Pool house or cabana
     • *Note: If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has plumbing, regardless of its size, a building permit is required.

6. Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following,
   • structural or material alterations
   • installing or modifying heating and or plumbing systems
   • excavating and/or constructing foundations
   • basement underpinning
   • constructing a basement entrance
   • adding a second suite
7. Energy and environmental building improvements, such as
   • roof top storm water retention systems
   • green roofs
   • structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW
   • solar projects such as installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems
8. Construct a deckmore than 60 centimetres (24 inches) above ground
9. Construct a retaining wall more than one metre (3 feet 3 inches) in height provided the retaining wall is on or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances, and on private property accessible to the public
10. Constructing a tentthat
    • covers more than 60 metres squared (646 square feet); and/or
    • is attached to a building; and/or
    • is within 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) from another structure.
11. Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building
12. Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace
13. Install a wood burning stove or fireplace
14. Install or modify heatingand or plumbing systems
15. Install a backwater valve
16. Install abackflow prevention device
17. Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.

Toronto, C. O. (2017, November 17). When Do I Need a Building Permit? City of Toronto. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/building-construction/apply-for-a-building-permit/when-do-i-need-a-building-permit/