In this section, learn about the various types of applications, and what forms, drawings and documents are required for each project type. Permit checklists have been provided to assist in summarizing the typical requirements to obtain a Building Permit in the City of Orillia. Additional information may be required as needed depending on the application type and individual circumstances.
Building permits give legal permission to construct, demolish or renovate on a property. Failure to obtain Building Permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.
We encourage you to review the following information before you begin your Building Permit application with the City to make your application process easy and informative.
| Before you apply for a Permit - Plan your project |
| Confirm that your project requires a Building Permit |
| Review the City’s list of Examples of Projects that require a Building Permit to understand whether you need to complete a Building Permit application or not. |
| Check your zoning |
Before you start a new project, check the zoning of your property to find out if there are any restrictions on what you can build.
Learn more about the City of Orillia Zoning By-law requirements for your property. If you’re planning to build or make changes to your property that will not meet current zoning by-law requirements, you may need to apply for approval from the Committee of Adjustment.
Learn more about applying to the Committee of Adjustment. |
| Hire a Design Professional |
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We strongly recommended that you work with a design professional such as an architect, professional engineer, or a Building Code qualified designer to create complete and accurate drawings that comply with the Building Code. These drawings will need to be submitted along with your permit application.
All drawings for non-residential and multi-residential properties such as apartments and condos must be signed, sealed, and dated by an architect, professional engineer and/or qualified designer.
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| Gather forms, drawings and documents |
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Different forms, drawings and other documents are required depending on the type of project. You’ll need to submit these when you apply for your permit.
Please see our Permit Checklists for Residential and Non-Residential projects. They show the forms, drawings, and documents you need to submit for each type of permit application.
Your Building Permit application must include:
- Completed application forms
- Drawings and supporting documentation
- The applicable permit fees
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| Find out if you need additional approvals |
Depending on the type of project you are working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your Building Permit can be issued.
For example:
Ministry of Transportation Ontario
If your property is close to a provincial highway, you may need approval from the Ministry of Transportation.
Learn more about permits and approvals issued by the MTO.
Site plan approval
Building or development in certain parts of the City is subject to Site Plan Control which means that your application may need to be approved by the City’s Planning Division before you receive your Building Permit. If your property is in the site plan control area identified in the Site Plan Control By-law, you may need to apply for a development application. For more information contact the Planning Division. |
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| How to apply for a Permit |
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Submit your Application online using our Public Portal.
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| After you submit your application |
| Application Pre-Screen Review |
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After you submit your application, Building Division staff will start the application pre-screen review process generally within 2-3 business days, depending on application volume.
The purpose of the pre-screen review process is to allow staff to determine if your application is complete or incomplete and to ensure that minimum requirements have been met for your application which includes:
- All required forms, documents, and drawings;
- Applicable law approvals; and
- Payment of fees.
Our target review timelines for an application depend on the application’s status as complete or incomplete. Below is a summary of our target review timeframes for the first review cycle, measured in business days. These timelines begin from the date that you complete the Pre-Application Review ("pre-screen").
Learn more about Building Permit timeframes.
Pre-screen Corrections:
If the submission requires more information, you will be notified by email with details about the pre-screen corrections.
You must complete all pre-screen corrections in order to move ahead with the application process.
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Department Review
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Once your application has completed the Pre-Screen Review, your application will then be sent for a detailed review by the relevant review groups to make sure it meets the Building Code, zoning by-law and other applicable approvals.
Planning Division:
The Zoning By-law sets out rules governing land use and the placement of buildings on a lot. It states exactly:
- Land and building uses
- Building size or density
- Location of buildings and other structures on a lot
- Minimum lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements and building height
The Planning Administrator will also confirm that your application complies with Applicable Law. These include:
- Planning Act
- Environmental Protection Act
- Ontario Heritage Act
If you are unable to comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law, you may submit an application to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance.
If the Committee of Adjustment approves the variance, you may submit a Building Permit application, subject to the terms established by the Committee of Adjustment.
Engineering Division:
- Grading review for new houses, additions, and in-ground pools
- Entrance Permits
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| Building Code Review |
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A Building Inspector will review your building plans, in order to determine compliance with the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
The Ontario Building Code is a set of minimum provisions regarding the safety of buildings:
- Health and Safety
- Fire protection
- Structural sufficiency
- Construction materials
- Plumbing and Mechanical system
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| Application Re-submission |
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If any of the review groups have “withheld” your application, you will need to resubmit revised or additional information once all examiners have completed the review.
Please include your Application Number with all re-submissions.
Each re-submission cycle could add two or more weeks to the process.
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| After your permit has been issued |
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Once your application is approved you will be notified by email that your Permit is ready to be issued and all fees and charges that are required to be paid.
After receiving your Building Permit, you are ready to begin work. At this point, you will need to be aware of what needs to be kept on site, including your Building Permit notice and the Permit drawings, and start scheduling inspections.
All new construction in Orillia shall have an inspection done by City Building Inspectors. 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. Our Inspectors also do special investigations of illegal construction and unsafe buildings.
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| 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.
Homeowner's Guide to Building Permits
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| Examples of Projects that do not require a Building Permit |
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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
- Pool heaters
- Painting and decorating
- Landscaping
- Fences
- Asphalt roof shingling
- Eavestroughs
- Minor repairs to masonry
- Damp-proofing basements
- Kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
- Free-standing satellite dishes
- Re-siding
- Replacement of windows with same size window
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| Permit Timelines |
| 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.
Please refer to the permit application timeline guide for a better understanding of review times.
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| Building Inspections |
| 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 |
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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 |
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Prior to pouring concrete.
- Re-bar placement for ICF
- Required reinforcement for foundation walls
- Re-bar in suspended "cold room" slabs
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Foundation/Backfill
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Prior to backfilling.
- Foundation to be completed
- Dampproofing/waterproofing complete;
- Drainage layer complete; and
- Weeping tile with proper stone coverage complete.
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Water & Sanitary Sewer Drainage Pipe
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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
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On-Site Sewage (Septic System)
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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.
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In-Floor Plumbing
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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
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Masonry/Factory Built Wood Burning Fireplace
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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.
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Above Ground Plumbing
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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
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Water Distribution System (within Building)
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Water pipes complete and under a minimum 102 psi air test.
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Framing
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Framing to be complete.
- Request inspection after installation of roof/shingles, windows, plumbing, HVAC and electrical.
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Air Barrier System
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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.
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HVAC
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General overview - following completion of framing.
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Insulation & Vapour Barrier
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Prior to installation of finishes and drywall. All framing deficiencies noted must be completed.
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Occupancy
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All minimum Building Code items for occupancy completed.
No occupancy permitted until Occupancy Permit issued.
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Final
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All exterior grading completed and certification received; all building code items at time of occupancy completed.
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| Requesting a Building Inspection |
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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
To arrange an inspection, contact inspections@orillia.ca
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| Safe Construction Sites |
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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.
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| 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. |
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Roles & Responsibilities
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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 |
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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.
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Owner
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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.
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Builder/Contractor
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- 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.
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Building Services
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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.
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Building Inspector
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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
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Chief Building Official
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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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Building Without a Permit
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| Consequences of building without a permit |
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The consequences of building without a Building Permit can be serious and costly.
If you do not have a Building Permit for construction that has already started, you could face serious and potentially costly consequences, including:
- A building without a Building Permit penalty. This is an additional fee equal to twice the amount of the original Building Permit fees for the project.
- A delay while your permit application is processed. All work must stop during this time. The original timeline and fees to process an application still apply.
- Possibly having to undo the work that was done.
- Possibly having to do more work than you had originally planned or budgeted for, such as additional structural, mechanical, plumbing, and septic work.
- Possible legal and/or financial issues down the road, such as impacts on selling your property or making an insurance claim.
NOTE: As the property owner, you are responsible for paying these fees or penalties, even if you have hired a contractor who assured you that a Building Permit was not needed.
Review the City’s list of Examples of Projects that require a Building Permit to understand whether you need a Building Permit or not.
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| Report building without a Permit |
| The Building Code Act requires that a Building Permit be obtained for the construction, demolition, or the change of use of buildings. It is illegal to construct or demolish a building without first obtaining a Permit.
If you believe that any construction work has begun prior to obtaining a Building Permit and wish to report it, please email the Building Division: building@orillia.ca. The Building Division does not take anonymous complaints.
All information is collected and protected under the MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).
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| Building Code Act Enforcement |
| Orders may be issued by the Building Division as outlined in the Building Code Act to ensure that all buildings are constructed to the minimum standards of the Ontario Building Code.
The types of Orders that are used to ensure compliance are:
- Order Requiring Tests and Samples
- Stop Work Order
- Order to Uncover
- Order Not to Cover or Enclose
- Order to Comply
- Order to Prohibit Occupancy
- Unsafe Order
When a Stop Work Order is issued, no person shall perform any act in the construction or demolition of the building in respect to which the Order is made other than work necessary to carry out the Order to Comply, the Order Not to Cover or Enclose, or the Order to Uncover (Building Code Act, 1992, s. 14).
Failure to comply with an Order is an offence which could result in a fine (Building Code Act, 1992, s. 36).
Orders may also be registered with the proper land registry office or viewed by the public by contacting the Building Division.
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