Building permit essentials for your home

First and foremost, it is imperative to review the scope of your project and the tasks that you intend to undertake. Once you have taken all the details of your project into consideration and you know exactly what it is that you are planning to complete, you must now evaluate with your contractor and/or your designer to inquire if permits are required for your specific project(s).

More often than none, drawings or sketches of your intended renovation project will need to be submitted to your local city with a copy of your land survey. The complexity of the drawings certainly depends on the complexity of your project. For small items such as a simple deck design, there is a good chance that you can get away with basic hand sketches that your woodworker can provide. 

For major home renovations, it is imperative that you leave the drawings to the professionals. In Ontario it is also required that the drawing be stamped by a professional architect or drafter that has a BCIN (Building Code Identification Number). This ensures that the specialized individual is proficient with the local building codes and has verified the drawings to ensure that all proposed renovations meet the guidelines and safety codes. If you are located outside of Ontario, there are certainly comparable certifications.

Additions, demolitions or structural alterations to your existing property are typically considered major home renovations. As well as any changes to any electrical, plumbing or heating in your home. It is very important to note that the guidelines of a building permit will differ slightly from city to city and certainly from province to province. When doing a major home renovation, it usually includes adding a back addition or a top addition that must go through your city's approval to ensure that you meet the zoning bylaws. Zoning requirements will vary from lot to lot. 

The most common questions are often about permit requirements for windows and decks. The City of Toronto for example will require that you obtain a building permit for any new openings such as doors and windows; this includes enlarging any existing window(s). However, if you are just getting your existing windows replaced and keeping them all the same size you will not require a permit. The City of Toronto also stipulates that you must apply for a permit if the deck you are building is higher than 24' off the ground. Deck requirements differ considerably from city to city. Most minor interior cosmetic renovations in your home such as drywalling, changing flooring or painting will likely not require you to obtain any permits.

Many also ask about the fees involved with building permits. Usually, the permits fees will be related to the grandeur of your project. Therefore, if your project is larger and more complex it could cost you more.

It often gets tricky when it comes to what you need and what you do not need a permit for, but do not take the risk of not getting one! Call your local city and make the necessary inquires, it will certainly save you the hassles of fines and the embarrassment of a city inspector shutting down your renovations!

DISCUSSION PANEL:
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