A Building Permit is your formal permission to begin the construction, demolition, addition or renovation on your property. As part of the Building Permit process, you must submit a Building Permit Application, where Township of King staff review your plans to ensure they comply with the Ontario Building Code, Township Zoning By-laws and other Applicable Law. Once staff are satisfied the application meets the above criteria a permit may be issued, at which time you are permitted to start construction.
The Ontario Building Code sets out the minimum requirements for such work and is particularly concerned with your health and safety and that of other homeowners, building occupants, future owners and the community.
More information on Applicable Law can be found on the "Applicable Law" tab.
What Does and Does Not Require a Building Permit
Under the Ontario Building Code Act, a building permit is required to construct, demolish, renovate, alter, install or change the use of a building. The following is a list of typical projects or situations that require the issuance of a building permit prior to construction:
- Construct a new building greater than 10 sq.m. in building area (the area of the building's footprint)
- Install new plumbing in a building or part thereof
- Change the use and/or occupancy of a building
- Changing the fuel source of a fireplace from gas-fired to solid burning (wood)
- Construct an addition to an existing building
- Construct a deck*
- Add or remove a structural wall in a dwelling
- Complete a roughed-in bathroom or washroom
- Alter an existing building or it's plumbing system
- Repair a building or it's plumbing system
- Repair or install a sewage system (commonly referred to as a 'septic system')
- Install a new furnace utilizing a new fuel source, i.e. Electrical to natural gas
- Install a solid fuel burning appliance, i.e. Wood burning stove or masonry fireplace
- Complete a roughed-in fireplace
- Detached or attached garages and carports
- Solariums
- Addition of a dormer
- Raising a dwelling to provide a full basement
- Sunrooms
- Install a sign
NOTE: Decks in the rear yard, not attached to the dwelling and less than 10 sq.m. (108 sq.ft.) in area, do not require a building permit. Decks larger than 10 sq.m. (108 sq. ft.) and all decks more that 600 mm (2' - 0") above average grade do require a building permit.
If the above list does not include specifics of your project or you are not sure if a permit will be required, please contact our Permit Administrators at 905-833-5321 or serviceking@king.ca with the details of the work.
It is not necessary to obtain building permits to perform the work listed below. Please note, however, you must still comply with all applicable law including the Township of King Zoning By-law and if applicable, the Ontario Building Code.
- Erect a fence, other than a pool enclosure fence. Compliance with the Township’s Fence By-law is required. For the construction of a pool and required pool enclosure fence a Pool Permit is required. Please visit the Pool Permit page for more information.
- Sidewalks
- Planters and landscaping
- Damp-proofing basements
- Replacement plumbing fixtures
- Replacement hot water heaters (note the requirement to limit hot water to 49°C after September 2004)
- Kitchen or bathroom cupboards
- Painting, decorating and general maintenance
- Replacing roof shingles on a residential dwelling
- Air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing systems
- Replacement furnaces provided the new and old furnaces have similar heat output and use the same fuel
- Accessory buildings (storage sheds) not greater than 10 sq.m. (108 sq. ft.) in area. Compliance with the Township's Zoning By-law for property line setbacks is required. Visit the Planning Division for more information, or contact askplanning@king.ca
- Decks in the rear yard, not attached to the dwelling and less than 10 sq.m. in area. Please Note: Decks larger than 10 sq.m. and all decks attached to a dwelling and more than 600 mm (2'-0") above grade do require a building permit
Building Permit Applications
Part of the process for a building permit application is the review of Applicable Law. It is important to note that until Applicable Law is satisfied, a building permit application is not deemed complete and does not fall within the Statutory time frames set out in the Building Code Act 1992. Before you apply for your permit you may want to consider the following:
Conservation
- Much of the Township is regulated through various conservation authorities including Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and the Oak Ridges Moraine (including Site Plan Development Applications). Each of these regulatory agencies have different requirement and it is important to know how they may impact your project as many of them are required to be in place prior to applying for a building permit. Please contact the Townships Planning Division more Information.
Zoning By-laws
- Zoning By-Laws determine the permitted uses of a property including such items as setbacks, lot coverage, pervious surfaces and building height. It is important to ensure your proposed project complies to the Zoning By-Law requirements before applying for your building permit. For more information, please contact the Planning Division.
Other Applicable Law
- Other Applicable Law that may impact your project can be found HERE
Pre-Assembled Building Permit Application Packages can be found at the bottom of this web page. Individual forms can be found on the general Forms section.
All application submissions are to be made online.
To make a building permit application customers will be asked to provide the forms, fees, and digital copies of the specified drawings as outlined in the application guide packages provided. Submissions must be made following the Townships Electronic Submission Guidelines.
Additional Resources:
Step One
Once we have processed the intake for your application you will receive a letter response including your application number (not a permit number), the fees due, how to pay them online, and any other documents that may be outstanding.
- Note: Please allow up to (5) business days for staff to begin processing the initial review and intake of the application. Applications that do not follow the Electronic Submission Guideline or are submitted prior to obtaining the necessary Applicable Law approvals, may be refused and will need to be resubmitted.
Step Two
Once the application fees have been received, as well as any other outstanding required documents, the application will be circulated to the appropriate staff for review. This review could include review of Applicable Law (such as Heritage, Conservation, Zoning, or Public Works). Once the Applicable Law review is complete, or if no Applicable Law review is required, the application will proceed to a Plans Examiner for Ontario Building Code review.
- Note: Zoning or Grading review are conducted by staff outside of the Building Division. As such Building Division cannot provide a timeline for the length of their review
- Note: Applications that have already gone through Site Plan Development or Minor variance, a Zoning review is still required.
Step Three
Once the Building code review is complete, the application will be review for completeness, issued, and approved by the Chief Building Official.
- Note: If Site Plan Development approvals were granted, clearance of conditions will be required prior to issuance of the permit.
- Note: If Development charges are applicable, payment of the Development Charges is required prior to release of the building permit.
- Note: The Ontario Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code provide guidelines for the amount of time permitted for the review and issuance of a Building permit. Most reviews are conducted within a 10 business day time frame, however there are exceptions to this for larger projects such as commercial, industrial or agricultural construction.
Your Building Permit
Once you have received your Building Permit, you are permitted to start the associated construction works. Your permit will include a list of required inspections that must be conducted at specified stages of construction. All Inspections can be booked online HERE.
As per the Ontario Building Code Act, 1992, construction must commence within (6) months of permit issuance, and must have substantial progress within one year of the last inspection. Permits that do not comply with those time frames may be considered void or require a permit extension.
Obtaining a permit extension can be done by submitting a written request to inspections@king.ca including the reason for the request.
If you placed a Public Works Security Deposit during your Building Application process, you may be eligible for a refund. All permits on the property that are subject to a deposit will need to be completed and closed to be eligible for a refund.
For more information regarding the Public Works Security Deposit click HERE!
