Building Permits

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.

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:

1. Completed application forms
2. Drawings and supporting documentation
3. The applicable permit fees

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.

Department Review

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

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

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.

You have the following options:

1.  If construction has started, you need to begin booking inspections. You received a Building Permit card when your permit was issued which indicates the mandatory inspections required for your Building Permit.

2.  If construction has not started, you may request a Building Permit extension in writing, If approved, an extension fee of $108.73​​ will be applicable and the Building Permit will be valid for a maximum of six months after the original date of expiry.

3. If your permit expires and you have not had any building inspections completed, the Chief Building Official may revoke your Building Permit and will no longer be valid. To proceed with construction on the project in the future, you will need to apply for an entirely new permit application.

4. If you no longer require your building permit, you can request to cancel your Building Permit. In some cases, depending on how far construction has progressed, we may deny your request for cancellation. Submit the application form to building@orillia.ca.

• Request to extend an expired Building Permit: $110.12

• Dormant Building Permit Fee: $110.12

• Transfer a Building Permit to a new owner: $147.56

Do i have to extend my Building Permit?

• If you intend to complete construction, yes, you need to request an extension to your Building Permit.

• Email your request for an extension to building@orillia.ca

• If approved, an extension fee of $110.12​ will be applicable and the Building Permit will be valid for a maximum of six months after the original date of expiry.​

I am a new owner, is there a way to extend the Building Permit?

• Before you are able to extend the Building Permit, you will need to you to transfer the ownership of the original Building Permit into the new owner’s name.

• Please complete an updated Building Permit Application Form and submit it to building@orillia.ca.

• A $145.70 administrative fee will apply 

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

Every person who causes a building to be constructed or demolished must ensure that:

1. 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.);
2. That no construction commences without an issued building permit; and
3. Where required, ensure that construction or demolition is carried out by a qualified professional with the appropriate insurance as per the Building Code Act.

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.

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).

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.