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Non-Residential

Get the Information You Need to Build with Confidence

A building permit is required for non-residential construction projects, including new buildings, additions, renovations and changing the use of a building. Permit applications must include required drawings, documents, and fees to be considered complete. Use this page to find the necessary forms, submission requirements, and additional information on zoning and inspections. Additional information may be required depending on the application type and individual circumstances.

If you want to change the way you use all or part of a building, you may need a change of use permit, even if you're not planning any construction. A building evaluation may have to be done to make sure that the existing building can safely accommodate the proposed use. For example, a permit would be required when changing an existing office space to a retail space.

 

Forms

  • Building Permit Application Form 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Form 
  • Commitment to General Review (where applicable)
  • Owner Authorization 
  • OBC Data Matrix Form

 

Plans and Specifications

  • A detailed floor plan, elevations, cross sections and details.
  • Show the current and proposed occupancy of all parts of the building, and which contain sufficient information to establish compliance with the requirements of the Building Code including, floor plans, details of wall, floor and roof assemblies identifying required fire resistance ratings and load bearing capacities.
  • In a building of multiple suites or units provide a key plan in relation to the entire building.
  • A detailed summary describing the nature of the operation or business and the number of employees.
  • A report from a qualified person as prescribed by the Building Code confirming that the change of use will safely occur within the existing building or portion thereof without the need to upgrade any construction, as permitted under Part 10 of the Building Code.

If you are constructing a new non-residential building or adding to an existing one, you will need a building permit before starting work. Your application must include plans and documents that show compliance with the Ontario Building Code and other regulations. This includes new commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, as well as expansions to existing structures. Additional information may be required depending on the application type and individual circumstances.

 

Forms

  • Building Permit Application Form 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Form 
  • Commitment to General Review
  • Owner Authorization 
  • OBC Data Matrix Form
  • Energy Efficiency SB-10 Compliance Form

 

Plans and Specifications

  • Approved Site Development Plan and Agreement (If applicable)
  • Geotechnical Investigation Report
  • Site Plan
  • Grading / Servicing Plan
  • Architectural Drawings (floor plans, foundation, floor, framing, roof, elevations, sections, window and door schedule, details)
  • Structural Drawings
  • Mechanical Plans (plumbing & HVAC)
  • Electrical plans (general lighting, emergency/exit lighting and fire alarm system)
  • Automatic Sprinkler and Standpipe Drawings (if applicable)
  • On-Site Sewage System Evaluation (if applicable)

If you are making interior alterations or renovations to a non-residential building, you may need a building permit, even if the work does not involve structural changes. A permit is required for modifications to walls, plumbing, HVAC, or life safety systems to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code. Additional information may be required depending on the application type and individual circumstances.

 

Forms

  • Building Permit Application Form 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Form 
  • Commitment to General Review
  • Owner Authorization 
  • OBC Data Matrix Form
  • Energy Efficiency SB-10 Compliance Form

 

Plans and Specifications

  • Site Plan
  • Architectural Drawings (floor plans, foundation, floor, framing, roof, elevations, sections, window and door schedule, details)
  • Structural Drawings
  • Mechanical Plans (plumbing & HVAC)
  • Electrical plans (general lighting, emergency/exit lighting and fire alarm system)
  • Automatic Sprinkler and Standpipe Drawings (if applicable)

If you are installing, altering, or extending plumbing or HVAC systems in a non-residential building, a building permit is required. This includes new plumbing fixtures, drainage systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code. Additional information may be required depending on the application type and individual circumstances.

 

Forms

  • Building Permit Application Form 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Form 
  • Commitment to General Review
  • Owner Authorization 
  • OBC Data Matrix Form

A building permit is required for temporary tents where the aggregate area exceeds 60 m² (645 sq. ft.), are attached to a building, or are within 3 metres of another structure. Permit applications must include site plans and details on anchoring, fire safety, and occupancy to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code.

 

Forms

  • Building Permit Application Form 
  • Schedule 1: Designer Form 
  • Commitment to General Review
  • Owner Authorization 

 

Plans and Specifications

  • Site Plan (proposed location of the tent(s) with setbacks)
  • Flame Spread Resistance Information (shall be certified to CAN/ULC-S109, “Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films” or NFPA 701 “Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films”)
  • Adequate sanitary facilities
    Requirements for a Professional Engineer:
    In accordance with the Ontario Building Code, a Professional Engineer shall be obtained under the following circumstances:
  • Tents greater than 225m²
  • A group of tents (spaced less than 3m apart) with an aggregate area greater than 225m²
  • Tents that contain bleachers or tents that are enclosed with sidewalls

Fire Safety Systems

If your building permit application includes fire alarm systems, you’ll need to provide:

  • System descriptions (ex. Single or two-stage, conventional vs. addressable)
  • Design Specifications
  • Floor plans showing device layout and equipment control
  • Typical fire alarm details and schematics
  • Indication of new, existing and relocated devices
  • Single line/riser diagram and wiring method
  • Zone schedule
  • Voice communication information (one-way vs. two-way)

If your building permit application includes fire sprinkler systems, you’ll need to provide:

  • A signed copy of the owner’s certificate. This is to be submitted in addition to the Letter of Use.
  • When required, hydraulic calculations based on up-to-date fire hydrant flow test information (conducted within past 12 months)
  • For major alterations and new systems, fully detailed sprinkler drawings and hydraulic calculations conforming to the ‘Plans and Calculations’ chapter of NFPA 13
  • For minor alterations, enough detail of the existing systems to make all existing conditions clear. This includes showing the location of new, relocated and deleted sprinkler heads and associated piping.
  • Note that depending on the scope of the changes, hydraulic calculations may be required
  • For new tenants in existing buildings, details of the new operations and the existing sprinkler system design criteria

When altering the storage in an existing building (new or existing tenant), full details on what’s being stored with floor plans showing the location, configuration, height. Identify the design criteria of the existing sprinkler system.

Indication if flexible hoses or flexible sprinkler drops are to be used (the use of flexible hoses or sprinkler drops in place of hard piping will require out to submit hydraulic calculations).

If your building permit application includes kitchen fire suppression system, you’ll need to provide:

  • The name of the manufacturer
  • A list of all the components (ex. Nozzle types, tanks, releasing equipment)
  • The dimensions of all cooking appliances 
  • Documentation that the installer is authorized by the suppression system manufacturer to install the system

If your building permit application includes a dust collector system, you’ll need to provide:

  • The dust collector location (ex, indoor, outdoor, floor plan)
  • Whether it’s re-circulating or non-re-circulating
  • Details for explosion prevention and explosion venting systems
  • A site plan drawing showing the explosion vent discharge
  • Fireball calculations
  • Full details on the dust collector (listing, materials/equipment schedule, equipment specifications) and ducting
  • All code required system interlocks
  • Ventilation rates and air velocities

If your building permit application includes standpipe and hose system, you’ll need to provide:

  • When required, hydraulic calculations based on up-to-date fire hydrant flow test information (conducted within the past 12 months)
  • For major alterations and new systems, fully detailed drawings and hydraulic calculations conforming to the ‘Plans and Calculations’ chapter of NFPA 14.
  • For minor alterations, enough detail of the existing systems to make all existing conditions clear. This includes showing new, relocated and deleted standpipe hose connections and associated piping.
  • Note that depending on the scope of the changes, hydraulic calculations may be required

If your building permit application includes backflow prevention that serves a fire system, you’ll need to provide:

  • A site plan or key plan of the building that shows the location of the proposed backflow prevention devices
  • Detailed drawings that indicate:
  • Installation methods of the backflow prevention device
  • Backflow prevention device valve specification with reference to the applicable CSA B64 standard
  • The fire protection systems installed downstream of the backflow device
  • Hydraulic calculations showing the new system demand calculated back to the point where the water supply information was obtained

If your building permit application includes an integrated testing plan, you’ll need to provide:

  • The integrated testing plan is submitted in accordance with CAN/ULC-S1001
  • Prepared by a licensed professional

If your building permit application includes electromagnetic locking devices, you’ll need to provide:

  • Floor plans indicating device locations and room labels (maglocks, maglock key switch, pull stations and emergency lighting)
  • Elevation detail showing associated equipment, wiring and signage
  • Wiring schematic drawing
  • Sequence of operation and design notes, (ex, OBC 3.4.6.16. (a) through (k))
  • Occupancy classification of areas to be served by proposed maglocks

If your building permit application includes storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, you’ll need to provide:

  • Full details of all materials to be stored, handled and processed complete with material safety data sheets, Ontario Fire Code classifications, quantities and container volumes
  • Detailed description of process and operations
  • Detailed information on exhaust and ventilation systems, fire protection systems and containment
  • Details for explosion prevention and explosion venting systems
  • A site plan drawing showing the explosion vent discharge
  • Fireball calculations

If your building permit application includes emergency lighting, you’ll need to provide:

  • A floor plan showing emergency lighting systems
  • Indicate new, existing and relocated devices
  • Details and specifications of inverters and battery packs
  • For generators, details showing compliance with all applicable codes and standards and drawings showing location in building or on site

You will need to provide the following information, drawings and documents as part of your site plan application:

  • Fire Route By-law and Ontario Building Code compliance (including but not limited to route location, gradient, construction material, overhead clearance, axial loads, centreline turning radii, obstructions to the fire route)
  • Municipal address
  • Ontario Building Code matrix
  • Fire hydrant locations
  • Fire department connection location
  • Ground floor plan
  • Elevation drawings depicting openings for fire fighter access (if applicable)

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