Additional Residential Unit Permit Guide

An Additional Residential Unit (ARU) means a secondary residential unit which is accessory to the principal use on the property. ARUs are also known as accessory dwelling units, secondary suites, granny flats, basement apartments and in-law suites.

View ARU Building Permit and Approvals Guide

All application forms, drawings, and related documents shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to build@thebluemountains.ca or by using our secure ShareFile system. Please refer to our Electronic Document Submission Guide.

Required Application Forms

1. Building Permit Application including Schedule 1 Designer Information
2. EEDS-Performance or EEDS-Prescriptive Energy Efficiency Design Summary Form
3. Schedule 2 (if on private sewer system) and Schedule 3A to D
   • If installer is not known at time of submission, a second Schedule 2 will be required prior to inspection
4. Owner’s Authorization Form (Required if Applicant is not the Owner)

Required Drawings and Information

Please Note: All drawings are to be submitted to scale and fully dimensioned in black and white.

5. Architectural and Structural Drawings designed by a qualified person (BCIN, P. Eng., Arch., C.E.T.)
6. Septic Construction Drawings (if not on municipal sewer)
7. Site Plan and/or Lot Grading Plan
   • Site-specific Grading Plan designed and stamped by Professional Engineer or Ontario Land Surveyor (Grading Plan required where the proposed lot is less than or equal to two acres)
   • Site and/or Grading Plan to include proposed setbacks to all property lines, area & percentage of lot coverage
   • Final Grading Certificate required prior to completion of project
8. HVAC Design Including Heat Loss and Heat Gain Summary
9. Truss Layout to be stamped by the BCIN holder/Engineer/Architect
10. Engineered Floor System Layout including any Engineered Beams 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. 

Fees and Charges  

11. Building Permit Fee (contact Building Services for more information)
12. Town Development Charges (may apply, contact Building Services for more information)
13. Grey County Development Charges (may apply, contact Building Services for more information)
14. Septic System Fee - $625 (map apply if not on municipal sewer)
15. Wood Burning Fireplace - $100 (may apply)
16. Water Meter - $543.06 

Approvals from other Agencies are required in many instances before a building permit application can be processed and before a permit is issued for construction. These approvals are not administered by Building Services. Please ensure all other required approvals are complete.  Applicable Law 

Next Steps

Submit complete application including supporting documentation, electronically to build@thebluemountains.ca. Application is reviewed for completeness and compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Applicable Law. Application review comments are provided during review to identify any outstanding requirements and to summarize permit fees. Permit will be issued when review is complete, and all fees are paid. Construction begins and inspections may be scheduled. Building Inspector checks major phases of construction until Occupancy and/or Final are complete.