Building

To apply for a building permit, visit The Corporation of The Town of Wasaga Beach Web Portal. If you require assistance, please contact the Building Department at 705.429.1120 x 2261 or by emailing building.

Yes, under the Ontario Building Code there is an exemption for the owner to create their own drawings, provided the design falls within the scope of Division B part 9. However, if the drawings are incomplete or do not meet the required standards, the owner will be asked to revise them or hire a qualified designer as specified by the Ontario Building Code.

If construction has not commenced within 6 months, your permit may be revoked as per Section 8 of the Building Code Act. Additionally, if construction has started but there is no activity for 1 year, the permit may also be revoked. If you anticipate delays, you can submit a written request to the Chief Building Official for an extension.

Plumbing

• Installing, replacing or repairing water or sewer systems (e.g. plumbing, drains, backwater valve) inside or outside a building
• Installing, replacing or repairing a private sewage (septic) system

Irrigation

• Backflow preventer for irrigation system

Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

• New heating or ventilation system (HVAC)
• New chimney serving a wood stove/fireplace (solid fuel fire appliance)
• Furnace replacement (different fuel type, efficiency and/or capacity)

Additions or Alterations

• Construct an entrance/exit from the building (includes stairs, landings, guards)
• Construct a heated or unheated sunroom 
• Roof alterations (e.g. adding dormers, skylights, solar panels, etc.)
• Create new openings for, or increase the size of, doors and windows
• Install or remove load-bearing walls, beams, or columns
• Adding, removing or altering a non-load-bearing wall (e.g. creating or removing rooms)
• Add an additional unit (e.g. new suite/apartment) within the building 
• Changing a building or part of a building to commercial use 
• Construct/demolish any size addition to an existing house (e.g. garage, another storey, carport)
• Repair load-bearing walls, beams, columns, or other structural components
• Relocation of a building greater than 10m²

Basements

• Construct a basement walkout 
• Excavate a basement to increase existing headroom (underpinning foundation walls)
• Add a basement suite (e.g. additional unit/apartment)
• Repair/replace waterproofing for basements 
• Finishing an unfinished basement 

Decks

• Construct/demolish a deck regardless of size, attached to a building or adjacent to an egress (exit) door 
• Construct a porch or balcony (regardless of size)
  Swimming Pool and Hot Tub: 
• Erect an enclosure surrounding a pool or hot tub

New Construction

• Construct/demolish a building, other than a shed, greater than 10m² 
• Construct/demolish a detached accessory shed, not exceeding one storey in height, or greater than 15m²
• Adding plumbing to any building
• Construct a retaining wall greater than 1.0m in exposed height adjacent to public property, access to a building, or private property to which the public is admitted

Plumbing 

• Replacing fixtures (e.g. sink or toilet) in the same location

Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

• Furnace replacement (same fuel type, efficiency, and capacity)
• Gas fireplace installation 
• Add air-conditioning to an existing HVAC system 
• Repair HVAC system 

Additions or Alterations

• Replace doors and/or windows that are the same size as the existing
• Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards without modifying plumbing 
• Minor repairs to masonry
• Paint or decorate 
• Replace siding on a house, garage, or accessory building 
• Re-shingle a roof, provided there is no increase in weight of the roofing material
• Install eaves (no changes to roof structure)

Decks

• Construct/demolish a deck under 10m² in area, not attached to a building or adjacent to an egress (exit) door
• Replacing non-structural elements such as deck boards

Accessory Structures 

• Pergolas not consisting of a floor, roof, or a wall 
• Construct/demolish a standalone building under 10m² with no plumbing

Other

• Landscaping that does not affect the egress system (existing) of the building 
• Erect a fence for privacy 

For electrical permits and related information, contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) at 1.877.372.7233. The Electrical Safety Authority oversees electrical work permits and inspections throughout Ontario.

As per Division C Part 1 – 1.3.1.3, a complete building permit application is typically processed within the following number of business days, depending on the building classification of the project:

• House, tents, and other small projects - 10 business days 
• Small buildings other than houses - 15 business days 
• Large buildings - 20 business days 
• Complex buildings - 30 business days 

Note

Applications that are incomplete will not be processed or issued until all requirements are fulfilled. These incomplete applications are not subject to the timelines mentioned above.

Additional project-specific documents and reports may be required prior to inspections or during plans review. 

Examples may include:

• Professional engineer reports 
• Manufacturer product specifications 
• Verification of weeping tile and top of foundation elevation 
• As-built survey

Please refer to your permit documents to verify if you require any additional documents for your project