Building Permits

City of Orillia COVID-19 Building Permit Application Process

As of January 4th, 2021, the City Centre will be closed to the public and open by appointment only.  To book an appointment for building permit application or building permit pick up, please visit our Online Booking System, or by calling the Building Division at 705-329-7258. Payment can be made for the application and associated fees via debit or cheque.  Cash is accepted, however debit and cheque are preferable.

The City of Orillia Building Division will be accepting the submission of Building Permit applications by e-mail. This will allow 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 dropped off in the City of Orillia dropbox.

If you wish to still submit your permit electronically, please follow the guideline below when submitting your Building Permit application electronically.

Guideline to Electronic Building Permit Submission 

This Building Permit application process will remain in effect until further notice.

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.

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' below.

For detailed information on Sign Permits, click here.

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.

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.

Building Permit Application Form and Checklist

Demolition Procedures

Commitment to General Review Form

Energy Efficiency Form

Plumbing Fee Schedule

Guide to Permit Application Process

Guide to Creating a Site Plan

• 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.

In addition to the completed application, you will also need:

• Two sets of building plans for small residential projects and three sets for commercial, industrial and institutional projects
• Two copies of your survey/site plan
• A plumbing fee schedule if fixtures are being added or relocated

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 1^st, 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, click here.
For a list of applications that require a PASF, click here.

Please find the Pre-Application Screening form below:

Pre-Application Screening Form 

 Timeline

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.