The Building Division, under the Development Services & Engineering Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code regulations to ensure minimum standards are achieved for all building construction including septic systems, change of use and demolitions.
Permit Application Process
The City of Orillia Building Division is accepting the submission of Building Permit applications by e-mail to building@orillia.ca, by mail, sent via courier, or in-person.
You can download and complete the Building Permit Application Form and Checklist. You can also obtain a copy of the application at the front counter of the Development Services and Engineering Department on the third floor of City Hall at 50 Andrew St. S., Orillia.
You may need other documents in addition to your building permit application form depending on the type of project you are looking at constructing. For more information about other documents that are required please review our requirements guide.
The completed application and additional materials must be submitted as a permit package to the Building Department. Building Department staff will review your application to ensure it is complete and correct. Once the permit package is reviewed, the Building Department will determine the applicable fee. The building permit will be issued when the fee has been paid.
The video below describes the process of applying for a building permit in the City of Orillia.
Effective July 1st, 2015, in accordance with the provincially approved South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Clean Water Act, 2006, all potential applicants who plan to submit a permit(s) or application(s) that are located within the Wellhead Protection Area and/or Intake Protection Zone area are required to complete a Pre-Application Screening Form prior to the City accepting a permit or application.
For more information regarding Source Water Protection, and to see if you are located in a WHPA/IPZ area. For a list of applications that require a PASF.
Examples of Projects that require a Building Permit
It is unlawful to start construction or demolition before you get a building permit. Anything that involves the construction, installation, repair, alteration, addition, enlargement, location, relocation, reconstruction, demolition, removal, or excavation of a site or building needs a permit. Some examples are:
Decks*
New wood-burning fireplaces or woodstoves/pellet stoves
Completion of roughed-in fireplaces - wood burning only
Porches
Sunrooms
Solariums
Carports
Attached or detached garages
Dormers
Additions
Fences around swimming pools
Septic system alterations or new systems
Plumbing and/or drains
New or structural alterations to windows or doors (straight replacement exempt)
Addition or removal of walls
Finishing basements
*Decks in the backyard, not attached to the house and less than 10 square metres (108 square feet) in area, do not require a permit. Decks larger than 10 square metres (108 square feet) and all decks attached to a house require a permit.
Examples of Projects that do not require a Building Permit
A building permit is not required for a detached accessory structure measuring less than 10 square metres (108 square feet) in area. An accessory structure is any building or structure other than the house. Building permits are not required for the following:
Air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing systems
Single Family Dwelling and Duplex: The owner of a single family dwelling or duplex may do their own drawings. If you hire someone to do drawings for your home project, they must have a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) for houses.
Multi-Unit Dwellings: Multi-unit dwellings, with three or more units, must have drawings prepared by someone with a BCIN for small buildings or an architect / engineer.
Small Commercial: Commercial units located in a building no larger than 600 square metres and maximum three stories must have drawings prepared by someone with a BCIN for small building or and architect or engineer.
Timelines will vary depending on the size of the project, the time of year, and the completeness of the permit package. Small residential projects take about two weeks from start to finish, while larger projects can take four to six weeks. When you submit your building permit application, Building Division staff can give you a better idea of the timeline you can expect.
All new construction in Orillia shall have an inspection done by City Building Officials. Buildings must meet the minimum health and safety requirements of the Ontario Building Code, the Building Code Act, the Building By-law and other applicable law and standards. Staff also do special investigations of illegal construction and unsafe buildings.
The following is a list of typical projects that require inspection:
All commercial, industrial and institutional projects
All commercial and industrial tenant projects
All housing projects, including additions and renovations
Change of Use projects
Life safety systems
On-site sewage systems
Public swimming pool construction
Commercial kitchen exhaust systems and the fire suppression system
Spray booth exhaust systems and the fire suppression system
Dust collection systems
Mandatory Inspections
A Building Inspector will be required to review your project in several stages during construction. These stages are typically listed as required inspections on the reviewed permit drawings issued with your building permit. When conducting the mandatory inspections, Building Inspectors must be able to see that part of work under inspection. Any building elements covered before the related mandatory inspection has been made must be uncovered for inspection and passed before the completion of the project.
Typical Inspection Stages
Excavation
Prior to pouring concrete. All formwork and re-bar (as applicable) to be in place.
Foundation/Slab Reinforcement
Prior to pouring concrete.
Re-bar placement for ICF
Required reinforcement for foundation walls
Re-bar in suspended "cold room" slabs
Foundation/Backfill
Prior to backfilling.
Foundation to be completed
Dampproofing/waterproofing complete;
Drainage layer complete; and
Weeping tile with proper stone coverage complete.
Water & Sanitary Sewer Drainage Pipe
Prior to backfilling.
Water service pipes complete and under test at minimum 50 psi
Sanitary sewer pipe complete and under test with five psi air or filled with water
A ball test may be requested by the Building Inspector
On-Site Sewage (Septic System)
Prior to backfilling.
Substantial completion of distribution pipes and septic tank.
A copy of the soil analysis or imported material analysis must be provided to the Building Inspector at this time.
In-Floor Plumbing
Prior to pouring concrete. Plumbing roughed-in, capped and under test:
Air test at five psi; or
Water test with a minimum 10'-0" of pressure head
Masonry/Factory Built Wood Burning Fireplace
Prior to covering.
Fireplace, fire stops and chimney flue installed.
Manufacturer specifications shall be on site.
NOTE: WETT certification shall be provided for all wood burning appliances.
Above Ground Plumbing
All drains, wastes and vents complete and under test
Air test at five psi; or
Water test with a minimum 10'-0' of pressure head
Water Distribution System (within Building)
Water pipes complete and under a minimum 102 psi air test.
Framing
Framing to be complete.
Request inspection after installation of roof/shingles, windows, plumbing, HVAC and electrical.
Air Barrier System
An approved air barrier system shall be continuous and completely sealed throughout the entire building envelope. Generally completed during the framing and/or insulation inspection.
HVAC
General overview - following completion of framing.
Insulation & Vapour Barrier
Prior to installation of finishes and drywall. All framing deficiencies noted must be completed.
Occupancy
All minimum Building Code items for occupancy completed.
No occupancy permitted until Occupancy Permit issued.
Final
All exterior grading completed and certification received; all building code items at time of occupancy completed.
Requesting a Building Inspection
2 Business Day Notice Requirement: The Building Division require a minimum of two business days to schedule a building inspection as mandated by the Ontario Building Code.
The timeframe from which notice is given begins on the following business day that an inspection notice is received and does not include, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays and/or days the Building Division office is closed.
The following information shall be provided when requesting an inspection:
The building permit number
Project site location such as lot number or address
Type of inspection
The date of the inspection(s)
Desired timeframe (morning or afternoon)
Names and telephone numbers of the builder and site superintendent
The Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out the rights and duties of all parties in the workplace. Its main purpose is to protect workers against health and safety hazards on the job. The Act establishes procedures for dealing with workplace hazards, and it provides for enforcement of the law where compliance has not been achieved voluntarily.
The Construction Site must be kept safe for your employees, as well as our Building Inspectors.
Re-Inspection Fees
Where an Inspector determines that work for the stage of construction that has been requested to be inspected is not substantially complete, is not ready for an inspection or where previous infractions have not been corrected, a minimum fee of $150.00 shall be payable prior to any further inspections related to that stage of construction being scheduled.
Roles & Responsibilities
Each stakeholder has a defined role in the building permit process; there are responsibilities attached to each role. Knowing your role in the construction and demolition permit process is beneficial because:
It sets expectations for yourself and others;
Helps mitigate risk as things are less likely to be missed or overlooked;
Increases production and less energy is wasted;
Creates a collaborative working environment with fewer discrepancies; and,
Ultimately: it’s the law.
You can contribute to the success of your project by understanding the various roles in the building permit process.
Roles of Various Persons Involved in Building Construction & Demolition
Every person who causes a building to be constructed or demolished must ensure that:
The construction or demolition proceeds in accordance with the Building Code, the Building Code Act, and the Issued Permit Package issued by the Chief Building Official i.e., reviewed drawings, permit placard, etc.);
That no construction commences without an issued building permit; and
Where required, ensure that construction or demolition is carried out by a qualified professional with the appropriate insurance as per the Building Code Act.
Applicant
The Role of the Applicant is to ensure that a complete application is submitted to the Building Services Division.
In accordance with the Building Code Act, Building Code, and Building By-Laws:
Drawings are required to be drawn to scale.
Drawings require enough detail to perform both plan review and inspections, once issued.
The Applicant is the principle contact for the project and is responsible for all communication between the Building Division, Designers, Contractors, Owners, Prime Consultants, and any other person(s) with a vested interest in the project.
If the Applicant is not the Owner of the property on which a building will be constructed or demolished, a Property Owner Consent Letter must be provided with the building permit application.
The Applicant must ensure that all fees associated with the proposed construction are paid upon receipt of the invoice.
Regarding revisions to building permits, the Applicant shall only schedule an inspection once the revision has been approved by the Building Services Department.
If there are any changes in major project stakeholders (i.e. Consultants, Builders/Contractors, Designers, or Owner), the Applicant must notify the City of Orillia’s Chief Building Official.
Owner
The role of the Owner is to ensure that the building is maintained, repaired, and evaluated in accordance with the Building Code Act and the Building Code. The Owner is also responsible for ensuring that documents, records, and other information about the building are kept safe and can be provided in accordance with the Act.
Builder/Contractor
The role of the Builder/Contractor is to proceed with construction when a building permit required under the Act has been issued by the Chief Building Official.
The Builder/Contractor will:
Build in accordance with the reviewed permit drawings
Use appropriate building techniques to achieve compliance
Notify the Designer and Building Inspector of any changes are required to be made from the reviewed permit drawings.
Building Services
The role of the Building Division is to ensure that proposed construction meets the requirements of the Building Code Act, Building Code, City Building By-law, and all other Applicable Law as defined under Article 1.4.1.3. of Div A, Part 1 of the Ontario Building Code.
Building Inspector
The role of a Building Inspector is to determine compliance with the Building Code Act, Ontario Building Code, City Building By-Law, and Applicable Law prior to issuance of a building permit.
Before the Building Permit is Issued
During the permit application stage, the Building Inspector will:
Perform a review of the permit application package
Provide review comments to the Applicant in a timely manner
Issue permits once compliance is shown
After the Building Permit is Issued
Perform an inspection to confirm construction is in accordance with the reviewed permit drawings approved plans and the Building Code. Upon inspection, the Building Inspector will:
Provide inspection reports with deficiencies found during inspection
Place an Order in accordance with the Building Code Act, when required.
Approve minor on-site revisions due to construction difficulties
Chief Building Official
The Role of the Chief Building Official is to coordinate and oversee the enforcement of the Building Code Act, Building Code, and the City Building By-law by establishing operation policies for the enforcement of the Act.
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