Residential Building Permits

Permit submissions must include the BCIN holder or Architect or Engineer, to stamp the Engineered Flooring layout(s) and Truss Layout to acknowledge that they have reviewed the documentation in coordination with the proposed permit drawings.  Please review the list below indicating all the information required for submission:

• truss layout to be stamped by the BCIN holder/Engineer/Architect;
• engineered flooring layout to be stamped by the BCIN holder/Engineer/Architect;
• truss and flooring layouts are to note the size and type of any required hangers;
• truss and flooring layouts are to note bearing for any multi-ply flooring members and any 2-ply (and greater) girder trusses;
• the requirement for these changes will take effect September 1, 2021; 
• individual truss details, stamped by a professional engineer, will continue to be accepted by the Building Department not less than 10 days prior to a framing inspection. The individual truss details are not required to be submitted at the time of permit application;
• all building permit applications and related documents shall be submitted in a “Portable Document Format”, also known as Adobe Acrobat or PDF (version seven or higher); 
• all documents within the entire building permit application package must open without a password, and be enabled to print in high resolution, enabled for searching contents, enabled to have notes and stamps provided, and be accessible for the visually impaired; 
• all Building Services forms are available on the Permits page of the Town’s website in fillable PDF format. They must be completed and signed (hand signature or electronic/digital signature accepted); 
• submissions with multiple pages or sets may be sent in individual files if the file size is too large; 
• commercial projects shall have Mechanical (HVAC and Plumbing), Electrical/Emergency lighting/fire alarm, sprinkler and other fire safety systems to be submitted as part of the building permit set; 
• shoring and Foundation and other structural plans/drawings set are to be included as part of the building set; and
• fire schematic layout, including floor plans and cross-section(s) including fire-resistance rating and fire separations as required by the Ontario Building Code, shall be included with the building set.

To maintain the quality of permit records, drawings shall not be submitted via fax. For security reasons, submissions by USB, flash media or file-sharing services (i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, etc.) are not accepted. Building Services will provide a secure link to upload your documents and files. Submit permit applications and files using the Town's secure SHARE FILE system.

When a permit submission is received by Building Services, a permit file name is created. Building Services will review it for completion. An email will be sent to the applicant acknowledging the submission and providing the building permit file number, which is to be used for all future correspondence. This will be followed by an email after permit review (see below) stating any outstanding documents if the submission is not deemed to be complete. 

Once the Plans Examiner has completed a review of the permit submission, building permit fees, any concerns, or outstanding information required will be sent to the applicant via email.

After approval and payment of fees for an electronically submitted application and issuance of the permit by Building Services, you will receive your Reviewed Drawing Set electronically via email. Please print a set of all approved drawings or specifications (in colour) and ensure this reviewed drawing set is available to the inspector on-site for every inspection.

Where a submission is being made to address a deficiency identified by a Building Inspector/Examiner, an electronic copy of the revised plans shall be submitted with the changes clearly labelled with revisions noted. A fee for revisions may be applicable as per Building By-Law #2014-18.

Once a complete application including supporting documentation is received, Building Services staff will review and communicate with the applicant following Ontario Building Code Act mandated timelines:

• 10 business days for a residential building permit application;
• 15 business days for a small commercial building permit application; and
• 30 business days for a large commercial building permit application.

The following payment options are accepted for Building Permits:

• Cash, cheque or debit at Town Hall; 
• Cheque or courier to 32 Mill Street, PO Box 310, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0, Attn: Building Services; 
• Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) for amounts totalling $5000 or less. Credit card payment can be processed by phone or at Town Hall, Building Counter, 2nd floor.