Building and Planning

 The Building Code Act

Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you require a building permit for the construction or alteration of any structure over 10 m² (108 ft²). The following is a list of typical projects that need a permit:

• Building a new building or structure (house, garage, shed, etc.)
• Repairing, renovating, adding to, or demolishing an existing building
• Finishing your basement
• Installing a swimming pool fence
• Installing a solid fuel burning appliance (wood stove)
• Building a deck
• Erecting a sign that is free standing and higher than 7.2 m (24'-8"), attached to the building and the projecting weight is more than 115 kg (253 lbs), or if it is a roof sign with any face bigger than 10 m² (108 ft²)
• Installing a new plumbing system (you don't need a permit for replacement of existing fixtures)
• Relocating any type of plumbing system
• Replacing main building control valve (main shut off valve at meter)
• Temporary tents greater than 60 m² (646 ft²) in are

Staff cannot issue a building permit until all the following is complete:

• Staff have reviewed and approved drawings
• The applicant has paid the necessary fees
• The application complies with all applicable law requirements
• The applicant has satisfied all Site Plan Approval conditions

Building Code Updates

The Province of Ontario frequently updates the Building Code regulations and the Building Code Act. These changes may impact new construction in the City of Thunder Bay. There are also recent changes to the Stairs, Guards and Handrails portion of the Code.

Interim Amendments to the 2012 Building code exempts sheds up to 15 square metres in area from requiring a building permit, provided the shed:

• Is not more than one storey in building height
• Is not attached to a building or any other structure
• Is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and
• Does not have plumbing.

As per Ontario Regulation 451/22

 Applicable law 

Official Plan

The Official Plan is our City's key land use document. This plan plays an important role in the development of our City. It describes what kind of community we want to become in the future. It sets goals, objectives, and policies which guide our land use planning decisions. Everything the City does related to land use needs to conform to the Plan. That includes passing any by-laws and undertaking any public works.

The Official Plan contains maps of land use designations for the entire City. These describe the future intended use of land. The text of the Official Plan has policies relating to each land use designation.

The City of Thunder Bay updated the Official Plan in 2019. The vision for Thunder Bay is a city that is healthy, safe, successful, and adaptable. The Plan uses four approaches that speak to the climate, the economy, the community, and the natural environment. Learn more on our Official Plan page

The Citizen's Guide to Official Plans offers more information. 

Zoning By-law

The Zoning By-law manages the present and future land use in the City. It is a tool used to implement the Official Plan's vision for the City on a day-to-day basis. The Zoning By-law divides the City into land use zones. Each zone has a list of permitted land uses and a set of regulations. There are regulations that apply to specific uses permitted in each zone. There are also general regulations that apply to all properties in any zone.

The City of Thunder Bay passed its current Zoning By-law in 2022. View the Zoning By-law on our Zoning page. 

The Citizen's Guide to Zoning By-laws offers more information. 

Urban design guidelines

Urban design is both visual and practical. People are more likely to visit a site, a neighbourhood, or a city if it looks good and functions well. Well-designed sites maintain their value and increase the values in their area.

The vision for Thunder Bay is a city that is attractive, accessible, walkable, and resilient. The City of Thunder Bay has two documents that guide the design of private and public lands: Urban Design Guidelines (24 MB) and the Image Route Guidelines.

Staff have also developed Sample Landscape Strips that make it easy for you to meet the City’s landscape strip requirements and enhance your property. The intent of these planting designs is to improve both the quantity and quality of landscaping along City streets and sidewalks and within private lands.

Learn more on our Urban Design Guidelines  page.

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is made up of Thunder Bay citizen members appointed and given authority by Council to make decisions on certain Planning Act applications. These applications include minor changes to zoning regulations (minor variances) and permissions related to legal-non conforming uses. The Committee also grants consents (land severances) to sever a parcel of land into more than one lot, or as addition to abutting properties (boundary adjustment).

Application forms, fees, and meeting application deadlines are available on the planning application page.

Please contact the Secretary Treasurer for the Committee of Adjustment, or call (807) 625-2216.

Planning application forms and fees

You should contact Planning Services before you buy land or apply for a building permit. A Planner can determine if you need to complete a planning application and what type is appropriate. They can also identify what information you may need to submit with your application. Please contact Planning Services or call (807) 625-2216 to get started. 

Find more information on our planning application page. 

Active development proposals and planning notices

Find out the status of active development proposals including public meeting dates and appeal periods. These proposals include proposed amendments to the Zoning By-law and the Official Plan. 

Planning Services posts planning application notices on the City website. The Public Notices page includes notices for active planning applications. These include applications heard by both City Council and the Committee of Adjustment. 

Community Improvement Grants

 A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool used to focus municipal initiatives in areas in need of development and/or redevelopment. Adopting a CIP empowers the City to offer grants to cover all or part of the cost of eligible improvement projects.

There are two CIPs with actively funded financial incentive programs: the Airport CIP and the Strategic Core Area CIP.