Building Permits

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You must apply for a Building Permit before you start any building project. The City of Dryden must approve plans for any new structure, addition or renovation. We often issue building permits within 5 to 15 business days after we receive your completed application, but may require up to 30 days for some classes of buildings. We will advise you of any required approvals from other government agencies when reviewing your permit application.

You can complete and submit your application online. If you are building a detached garage or accessory building, in addition to your Building Permit Application you are required to submit drawings or sketches of your proposed structure with your application. To simplify the process you can also complete the design form online. You may also print either the application or design form from your browser print option, complete by hand or pick up either the application or the design form at the Buillding and Planning Department. Once completed, mail it in or drop it off in person to the Building and Planning department at 30 Van Horne Ave. during our regular office hours:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Do I need a building permit?

Contact the Building Department if you are not sure you need a permit for your building project. A contractor can apply for permits on your behalf but it is the building owner's responsibility to comply with all requirements.

Approved plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code, Zoning By-law, and all other applicable laws and regulations. It's against the law to start construction or demolition of a building before you get a permit.

For any electrical work, contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) at 1-877-372-7233.

You need a building permit if you plan to:

Construct a new building
Renovate, repair or add to a building
Demolish or remove all or a portion of a building
Change a building's use
Install, change or remove partitions and load-bearing walls
Make new openings for, or increase the size of, doors and windows
Build a garage, balcony or deck (NOTE: deck floor joists must be 2" x 8" minimum and be pressure or preservative treated)
Excavate a basement or construct a foundation
Damp-proof basements, including new weeping tile or replacement of existing weeping tile
Install or modify heating, plumbing, air conditioning systems or fireplaces
Reconstruct a chimney

You do not need a permit if you plan to:

Replace existing, same-size doors and windows, subject to distance from property lines
Install siding on small residential buildings, subject to distance from property lines
Build a roofless deck not higher than 0.6 meters (24 inches) above adjacent grade and the walking surface of the deck, and that is not attached to a building
Build a utility shed or structure without plumbing under 10 square metres (107.6 sq. ft.)
Re-shingle a roof, provided there is no structural work
Install eavestroughs, provided that drainage is contained on your property
Replace or increase insulation, dry-wall or plaster
Paint or decorate
Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
Erect a fence (except for swimming pools, outside pools require permits)

Is there a fee for a building permit?

The minimum permit fee is $30 for residential and $100 for all other zones. Building permit fees are calculated based on the square footage of the construction project. Contact the Building and Planning department for other fees related to building permits or if you need help determining which fees apply to your project.

New construction, addition or renovation fees (calculated by building area):

$0.60 per square foot ($6.46 per square metre) for new buildings and additions
$0.30 per square foot ($3.23 per square metre) for renovations to existing buildings
$0.20 per square foot ($2.15 per square metre) for attached or detached garages or carports, sheds, unenclosed decks, porches and verandas

Occasionally, the work regulated by a permit cannot be calculated by building area. The permit fee will be calculated based on the value of the work proposed: $8 per $1,000 of construction value. The minimum permit fee is $30 for residential and $100 for all other zones.

Plumbing fees

The building permit fee generally includes plumbing work associated with the construction. If the scope of the work involves only plumbing work the fee is calculated based on $10 per fixture or drain, with a minimum permit fee of $30.

What information do I need to provide to apply for a building permit?

Site plans should reference the current survey plan certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor. If available, a copy of the survey plan should be submitted with the building permit application for any major project. Where required by the Ontario Building Code plans must be prepared by a qualified designer holding a valid building code Identification number (BCIN), or sealed and signed by an Architect, Professional Engineer, or both.

Permit applications will not be accepted if the submitted plans are inadequate or incomplete. You may submit plans in either imperial or metric measurements.

Minor additions and alterations

For minor additions and alterations, site plan sketches showing outlines and dimensions of the property, driveways, existing and proposed buildings are often acceptable.

Do I need to arrange a building inspection?

You can contact the Building and Planning department to review your construction project during key stages to ensure work complies with Building Codes and the approved plans. Inspectors may be required to visit several times depending on the project. They must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection.

Building Permits

Plumbing fees

Minor additions and alterations

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