City of Orillia Building Permit Application Process
The City of Orillia Building Division is accepting the submission of Building Permit applications by e-mail to building@orillia.ca. This allows homeowners, contractors, renovators and business owners to apply for Building Permits without the need to submit paper drawings or paper application forms. Building Permit applications can also be mailed, sent via courier, or in-person at the 3rd floor Building counter.
If you wish to submit your permit electronically, please follow the guideline below.
Guideline to Electronic Building Permit Submission
For more information please contact the Building Division.
Building permits ensure that zoning requirements, health, fire, structural safety standards and other building standards are met. Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must have a building permit to construct or alter any structure greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet) in area or to install plumbing.
To obtain a building permit, you are required to submit the building permit application, a site plan, and construction drawings, along with the application fee. You may also be required to submit a pre-application screening form. See the links below for more information.
| Residential Building Permits |
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Click here for a detailed guide outlining the building permit application process, what can be done if your project doesn't comply with the City's by-law, and examples of construction drawings that will be required. It also includes a list of who to
contact should you have further questions.
All residential permit applications will require two sets of construction drawings. One copy will be kept for office use and the other copy will be returned to the applicant when the permit is issued.
Click here to download the Building Permit Application Form and Checklist.
For detailed information on building decks, click here.
| Deck, Fence or Accessory Building |
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A building permit is required when you build:
- Any deck or shed attached to a house
- Any deck over 10 square metres (108 square feet)
- Any shed, gazebo, or pergola over 15 square meters (161.46 square feet)
- Any fence around a swimming pool
To obtain a building permit, you are required to submit the building permit application, a site plan, and two sets of construction drawings, along with the application fee. You may also be required to submit a pre-application screening form. See the links below for more information.
Please refer to the Residential Guide Checklist and the requirements for a deck permit.
Click here for a detailed guide outlining the building permit application process, what can be done if your project doesn't comply with the City's by-law, and examples of construction drawings that will be required. It also includes a list of who to contact should you have further questions.
For Accessory Buildings, please review the Accessory Building guide.
| Site Plans |
| A Site Plan is required to be submitted with most Building Permit applications including a deck, fence or shed, to ensure the Building Permit application will comply with the City of Orillia’s Zoning By-law 2014-44, as amended. Your Site Plan will include providing details about your existing and proposed development including property lines, dimensions and setbacks to property lines of existing and proposed buildings, and parking. The Guide below outlines the information required on a Site Plan and provides examples of different development scenarios.
Please review the Guide to Creating a Site Plan for Building Permit Submission
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| Construction Guide & Checklist for Exterior Decks |
| The City offers a handy construction guide for building exterior decks.
Click here to view our Construction Guide and Checklist.
Click here to view SB-7 Guards for Housing & Small Buildings
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| Zoning By-Law |
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During the preliminary planning stage of your project it is imperative that you determine what Zoning By-laws apply to your property.
Zoning By-laws regulate the use, size, location and types of buildings permitted on a parcel of land.
The information you will require from the Zoning By-law will include:
- Minimum building setbacks (distance from the buildings to the property lines)
- Building height restrictions
- Total building area and lot coverage permitted
Click here for more information.
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Fences
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A building permit is only required for a fence if it is going around a swimming pool, otherwise a permit is not required. Please refer to the Zoning By-law for height provisions, definitions and performance standards.
Please see more information on swimming pool fence permits.
Fences that do not require a permit must still be erected in accordance with the City’s Zoning By-law which restricts fence height and location (i.e. not in a sight triangle), as well as prohibits electrified fences and the use of barbed wire or other sharp materials.
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Line Fences Act (Provincial Legislation)
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The Line Fences Act (“Act”) sets out an arbitration procedure for resolving line/boundary fence disputes between the owners of adjoining properties. The Act was enacted in 1834, and was intended for rural lands, as opposed to urban municipalities such as the City of Orillia. In 2022, Council for the City of Orillia opted out of the Line Fences Act, with the exception of section 20 of the Act. In general terms, this means that the City no longer has any part in compelling a property owner to pay for part of a boundary fence.
The City has no authority to exempt itself from section 20 of the Act. Section 20 sets out the fencing and responsibilities of property owners adjacent to a former rail line (e.g., CN Rail) in locations where farming business is carried out on the adjoining land.
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| Swimming Pool Permits |
| A Building Permit is not required for a swimming pool. However, a permit is required for the fence around the swimming pool.
View the Swimming Pool Fence Example.
Click here for a Building Permit.
If you are not the owner applying for the pool fence permit, please have the owner fill out and sign the Letter of Authorization.
All building permits need to include a site plan indicating the location of the pool and fence on the property, with dimensions, and construction details of the fence.
The Zoning By-law regulates the use, size, height, density and location of buildings and structures on properties within the City of Orillia and has requirements specific to Swimming Pools. For more information on the Zoning By-law requirements for swimming pools please contact the Planning Division at 705-325-2622.
| Swimming Pool Rules |
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Only fences around swimming pools require a permit. Swimming pool fences must be a minimum of 1.2 metres high and any gate must have a self-closing mechanism with lock. Generally, fences should be built on your own lot unless the neighbour agrees to have it located on the lot line.
A swimming pool put up within the City of Orillia that can hold more than 12" of water is subject to the rules in the Swimming Pool Fence By-law.
Click here to view Swimming Pool Notice.
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| Tents & Other Temporary Structures |
| A building permit is required if a tent or temporary structure (e.g., garden centre) is more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in size.
View the Checklist for Tents and Temporary Structures.
| Portable Garages |
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Thinking of purchasing one?
What should I know about them?
- Portable garages are considered to be temporary and are not designed to handle the elements of the Canadian climate.
- Snow and Ice buildup on the roof may result in collapse of the structure.
- Wind forces are capable of blowing these structures away if they are not securely anchored to the ground.
- Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer for construction and assembly of portable garages.
- A building permit is not required.
- The location of all portable garage-like structures must comply with current Zoning By-Laws. Please contact the Planning Division to inquire about location restrictions in your area.
Contact the Planning Division Administrator for more zoning information at 705-329-7259.
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| Unit Creation |
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Please refer to the City's Additional Dwelling Units Building Permits Guide
The addition of a second dwelling unit is permitted provided the following conditions are satisfied:
- The property must be zoned to permit a second unit.
- You must consult with a planner to identify the zoning requirements (parking requirements). Contact the Planning Division at 705-325-2622 for more information.
- Consult with a building inspector to ensure the proposed apartment will meet the Building Code. Contact the Building Division at 705-329-7258.
- Consult with the Fire Prevention Officer to ensure the proposed apartment will meet the Fire Code. Contact the Fire Department at 705-325-5201.
- Refer to the City's Guide to Create Additional Dwelling Units
- For Unit Creation requirements, please review the Requirement Guide for Additional Dwelling Units.
- Please note for adding a third unit or more in an existing dwelling unit requires a qualified designer.
| Unit Creation over Detached Garage or Boathouse |
| Please review the Zoning By-law and our Guide to Creating a Secondary Unit for our requirements for creating a Secondary Unit in a Accessory Structure. A Secondary Dwelling Unit is not permitted in a Boathouse. |
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Addition to a House
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Please review to the Requirement Guide for Additions.
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Change of Use
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A change of use permit is required when you are changing the occupancy class of a building. For example, going from Commercial to Residential or Residential to Commercial.
Please refer to the requirements for a Change of Use Permit guide.
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Finishing a Basement
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Please refer to the requirements for finishing a basement guide.
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| Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Permits |
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All non-residential permit applications will require three sets of construction drawings.
A pre-application screening form may also be required. Please see 'Source Water Protection' under Forms & Procedures on the main Building page.
For detailed information on Sign Permits, click here.
| New Industrial/Commercial/Institutional/Multi-Residential Buildings |
For requirements, please refer to the ICI requirement guide.
| Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems |
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The following documentation is to be provided with permit applications:
- The name of the Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC). This is the engineering person or engineering firm that is responsible for the development and implementation of the Integrate Testing Plan. A copy the City's ITC verification form shall be provided.
- A copy of the draft site-specific Integrated Testing Plan (ITP) prepared by the ITC outlining the required tests and necessary functional results to conduct integrated fire protection and life safety systems testing prior to occupancy of the building. The ITP shall consist of the following:
- A site-specific plan
- Approved by all consultants involved with the design of the Fire systems. i.e. Sprinkler Engineer, Fire Alarm Engineer, etc.
- Provide specific requirements for testing of systems where occupancy of the building will be phased.
- A list of all existing systems that are on the site and any testing that will be performed on those systems.
- Provide the functional objectives of the systems integrations.
- The sequence of operations of the integrated fire protection and life safety systems which:
- describe operation under normal operating conditions
- describe operation under fire conditions
- Test protocol and procedures for integrated fire protection and life safety systems.
- A procedure for notifying building occupants of the integrated systems testing; and
- Alternate measures such as notifications and safety protocols for ensuring occupant safety during integrated systems testing.
| Prior to Occupancy |
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The following documentation is to be provided prior to occupancy for new buildings, and existing projects applied for after January 1, 2020 but not yet occupied:
- Completed Integrated Testing Report prepared by the ITC stating the procedure and final results of the Integrated Testing Plan.
- The report shall be verified by all parties including the installing contractors and the consulting engineer(s) where applicable.
- Documentation shall be provided for each phase of occupancy where occupancy of the building will be phased.
- Notification of testing is to be provided to the Building Inspector and/or Fire Inspector for witnessing of systems.
- Documentation to be provided as required by CAN/ULC S1001 – 5.3.1. Integrated Systems Testing Implementation Phase
- Conformance letter prepared by the ITC indicating that the fire protection and life safety systems have been tested successfully in accordance with CAN/ULC-S1001-11 and that the area to be occupied meets the objective of Articles 3.2.10.1. or 9.10.18.10. OBC.
- As per CAN/ULC S1001-11Rev1 Integrated Systems Testing must be performed by a separate independent entity from that which is providing the fire alarm verification services for the same building in accordance with CAN/ULC-S537
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| Existing Building Renovations |
- Where only one fire protection and life safety system are modified that is not interconnected with an existing fire protection or life safety system, a new integrated testing report prepared by the ITC is not required. Any work completed on these systems will require final consultant reviews in compliance with the OBC.
- Where there is an existing Integrated Testing Report for the property, only the affected fire protection and life safety systems need to be tested and documented in the Integrated Testing Report prepared by the ITC in compliance with CAN/ULC-S1001, Article 10.2.3.
- Where there is not an existing Integrated Testing Report on the property, and more than one fire protection and life safety system are modified, a new Integrated Testing Plan prepared by the ITC establishing the appropriate steps to integrate the fire protection and life safety systems in compliance CAN/ULC-S1001, Article 10.2.3.
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Demolition Permits
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If you are demolishing a building, please refer to the requirements for demolition guide.
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| Plan your project first |
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During the preliminary planning stage of your project it is imperative that you determine what Zoning By-laws apply to your property.
Zoning By-laws regulate the use, size, location and types of buildings permitted on a parcel of land.
The information you will require from the Zoning By-law will include:
- Minimum building setbacks (distance from the buildings to the property lines)
- Building height restrictions
- Total building area and lot coverage permitted
Click here for more information.
| Site Plan |
| A Site Plan is required to be submitted with most Building Permit applications to ensure the Building Permit application will comply with the City of Orillia’s Zoning By-law 2014-44, as amended. Your Site Plan will include providing details about your existing and proposed development including property lines, dimensions and setbacks to property lines of existing and proposed buildings, and parking. The Guide below outlines the information required on a Site Plan and provides examples of different development scenarios.
Guide to Creating a Site Plan.
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| Other Approvals |
In addition to or instead of a building permit, your project may require the following approvals:
- If your project might impact provincial roads and highways, you must contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
- If your project might impact the natural environment (i.e. work in the lake or at the water's edge), you must contact the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- If your project involves construction on a property fronting on Lake Simcoe or Couchiching, a Shoreline Development Agreement may be required, you must contact our Planning Division. 705-325-7471.
- If any electrical work (i.e. lighting, wiring, switches and outlets) is proposed, you must contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233.
- If plumbing is part of your project, you will need a permit and to arrange for an inspection. Click here to view our Plumbing Fee Schedule.
- For other permits and licences that may be required from the City, please see the Applications, Licences & Permits page.
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