Thinking about knocking down a wall or upgrading your basement? In Toronto, you’ll need the right permits to bring your vision to life — and avoid costly surprises.

Why Renovation Permits Matter

Getting a renovation permit in Toronto is extremely important to the success of your work. It ensures that your renovation plans are approved by the city and that they follow all building code regulations and safety standards, so that you don’t run into any issues in the future.

Renovation Projects That Require Permits

There are many different types of projects that need permits before renovations can begin. These projects fall within three main categories detailed below:

Structural Changes — Any modifications to the structure of your property require a permit, such as removing or adding walls, relocating or enlarging existing windows or doors, adding new windows or doors where previously none existed, and enclosing an already constructed patio, porch, or deck no matter the size.
Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Work — Various projects including modifying or installing plumbing and/or heating systems, as well as other work like installing a backwater valve or backflow prevention device, all require permits.
Additions and Basement Finishing — Other projects that require permits are additions to your property, such as a second or third floor, sunrooms, attached garages, decks, or porches. In terms of basement finishing, if the renovations needed include underpinning, excavating the foundation, structural modifications, plumbing or electrical work, adding another suite, or constructing a new entrance, then a permit is required.

Main Types of Permits in Toronto

There are also different types of permits that you can get, the most common of which are building permits, plumbing and ESA permits, and zoning or Committee of Adjustment approvals. These will be explained in more detail below:

1. Building Permit

As previously outlined, building permits in Toronto are needed for any kind of renovation project that will significantly change the structure of both the interior and exterior of your property. Building permits also encompass demolition and construction of a building, along with additions made to a property.

2. Plumbing & ESA Permits

If you want to get any plumbing or electrical work done, then a plumbing permit and a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is required. This ensures that your plumbing and electrical systems comply with all regulations and safety standards.

3. Zoning or Committee of Adjustment (if needed)

A zoning approval certificate or approval from the Committee of Adjustment is sometimes needed when applying for a building permit, particularly if you are changing the blueprint of a property, proposing a new construction project, majorly changing the exterior of a property, or if you are changing the occupancy use of a property, for example, making a residential property commercial.

Renovations That Typically Don’t Need a Permit

Just as there are many renovation projects that require a permit, there are many that do not. These renovations include but are not limited to:

The construction of a deck that is no more than 60 cm tall
Installing a skylight in a house or small building under 3 storeys
Replacing windows or doors as long as the size or location is unchanged, the structural support (lintel) is unaffected, and a new exit is not created
Replacing a boiler or furnace
Replacing roofing materials as long as no structural changes are made
Waterproofing the basement
Constructing a shed that is no more than 15 m2 in area, no more than one storey, not attached to a building, does not have plumbing, and will only be used for storage

How to Apply for a Permit in Toronto

When it comes to applying for a permit, there are some Toronto building permit requirements you’ll have to follow. Your application will need a survey of the area, site plans, and architectural and engineering plans which will provide the city with the necessary information on the expected layout and the structural work to be completed for each part of your project. This can be submitted to the city’s online permit application portal.

You’ll also need to pay a fee. The fee for a building permit varies depending on the type of project and project size. For example, in Toronto, a building permit for interior renovations costs $4.93/m2, so a permit for a 47m2 (500 sq ft) basement renovation would cost $231.71.

Risks of Skipping Permits

If you don’t get a permit for a project that needs one and have already started work on it, there are some consequences involved with that decision, such as:

A delay to your schedule as all work must be paused while waiting for a permit to be obtained
Potentially having to undo your work
Potentially doing more work than what was planned in order to comply with building regulations
Potential financial and legal issues that could affect making an insurance claim or selling the property
A “work without permit” penalty which is a fine equal to 50% of the project’s permit fees

Key Takeaways

A building permit is required if you are making structural changes, doing plumbing, electrical and HVAC work, constructing home additions, or finishing a basement
There are three different types of permits you may need: building permit, plumbing and ESA permits, and zoning or Committee of Adjustment approval
A building permit is not required for small changes that do not affect the structure of a property
When applying for a building permit, you’ll need to provide your plans and pay a fee
There may be consequences, such as a fine, if you don’t get a permit before starting on renovations

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have discussed what projects need a building permit and what projects don’t, the different types of permits, what you need when applying for one including the city of Toronto building permit fees, along with the risks associated with not getting a permit. While obtaining a building permit may seem like a challenging endeavor, at Odima Construction, we make it easy, helping you get the right permits for your custom home build. Contact us today for a free consultation!