Building or Renovating a Home

Building a residential deck

When you build a new deck that is attached to your house (any height), or not attached to the house but more than 2'-0" (0.6m) above grade you need a Building Permit.

You need the following for a Building Permit for a deck:

• Building Permit Application form
• Site plan locating all buildings on the property
• Deck Information form
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the building services office or apply for your deck permit online. For more information refer to the Residential Decks brochure or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page. Don't forget to check the Zoning to confirm the size of deck allowed on your property.

Building or renovating a house

When you build a new house or renovate your existing house you need a Building Permit.

See our Residential Building Permit Application Checklist for all of the documentation required for your application. You need the following (this is a list of forms only, see the checklist for all information needed):

• Building Permit Application form
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form
• Plumbing Information sheet
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form for plumbing
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee
• Residential Building Permit Fee Calculation form

There are also other approvals you may need depending on the location of the house and scope of work.

You can also pick up a permit application package in the Building Services office. Once you have all of your information required on the checklist, you apply at the Building Services office. For more information, refer to this brochure or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page. Don't forget to check with the Planning Services Division to confirm the size of house allowed on your property.

Modifications to your property may result in a change in your assessment and property taxes.  Please visit Property Taxes – Supplementary & Omitted Tax bills for information and to estimate the applicable taxes.

Demolition

When you demolish a building greater than 10M2 (108 sq.ft.) you need a Demolition Permit.

You need the following for a Demolition Permit:

• Demolition Permit Application form
• Site plan locating all buildings on the property including the one being demolished
• Demolition Information form - if there are any services to the building being demolished you need signed approval from the utilities
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Demolition Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the Building Services office or apply for your permit online. For more information refer to the Demolition brochure.

Driveways

When you construct a new driveway or relocate an existing driveway, you need a driveway permit. Driveway permit applications for residential and other uses are administered by the Engineering & Operations Division.

Driveway application 

Driveway installations are controlled by the City Driveway Control Policy No. 11-02-04. The Policy outlines many of the requirements related to the location and construction of driveways, as well as information requirements related to submitting the application.

How to apply

Applications are to be made at the Infrastructure & Operations Department's Engineering Division, located on the 2nd Floor of the Victoriaville Civic Centre, 111 Syndicate Ave.  All driveway applications must be accompanied by a sketch of the proposed driveway location. 

Reference materials

A reference copy of a driveway application as well as an example of a driveway sketch are provided to residents for information purposes only.

Insurance

Driveway permits that involve construction to be performed on the City street allowance will also require proof of insurance to be submitted, either by the applicant/home owner if they are doing the work themselves, or by the Contractor performing the work. Home owners must submit a copy of their home owner's insurance policy showing $2 million general liability insurance coverage and must also sign and submit a hold harmless agreement. Contractors must submit a Contractor certificate of insurance form with the appropriate work type and location description. The City maintains a list of all Contractors that have submitted insurance for the year.

For more information, contact the Engineering Clerk at 807-625-2266.

Heritage approval process

When you do any type of work to a heritage building you need approval from the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC). If you are unsure if your building is a heritage building, the Planning Services Division can help you find out.

Lot grading and drainage

When you build a new building (commercial or residential), you may need to submit a lot grading and drainage plan as part of your application.  Please speak with Building Services staff to confirm when drainage plans will be required, and to confirm the drainage plan requirements.

Renovating your basement

When you are renovating your basement you need a Basement Finishing Permit (even if you are just adding a bathroom).

You need the following for a Building Permit for basement finishing:

• Building Permit Application form
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form
• Floor plan
• Plumbing Information sheet (if applicable)
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form for plumbing (if applicable)
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the Building Services office or apply for your permit online. For more information refer to the Residential Basement Finishing brochure or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page.

Residential plumbing

When you are installing new plumbing fixtures in your house (completely new installation, not replacement of existing fixtures) or relocating existing fixtures you need a Building Permit for plumbing.

You need the following for a Building Permit for plumbing:

• Building Permit Application form
• Plumbing Information sheet
• Plumbing isometric drawing (required when the drainage piping is modified)
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form for plumbing (if applicable)
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the building services office or apply for your permit online. For more information, email our Senior Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector or call 807-625-2203.

Residential detached garage/shed (accessory building)

When you build a new garage that is more than 10 m² (108 ft²) or shed that is more than 15 m² (162 ft²) you need a Building Permit. A recent code amendment exempts sheds up to 15 m² from requiring a building permit.

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

You need the following for a Building Permit for an accessory building:

• Building Permit Application form
• Site plan. Please note: you must indicate overhead power line locations on your site plan (if applicable)
• Detached Garage/Shed Design form
• Schedule 1: Designer Information form (only for buildings larger than 55 m² (576 ft²)
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the building services office or apply for your permit online. For more information refer to the Residential Accessory Building brochure or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page. Don't forget to check with the Planning Services Division to confirm the size of accessory building allowed on your property.

Residential solid fuel burning appliances (wood stoves)

When you are installing a new wood stove you need a building permit.

You need the following for a Building Permit for a solid fuel burning appliance:

• Building Permit Application form
• Floor plan locating the new wood stove
• New wood stove and chimney specifications from the manufacturer
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the Building Services office. For more information refer to the Residential Basement Finishing brochure or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page.

Septic systems

When you build a new house that does not have city sewer system, or add additional plumbing fixtures to an existing building on a septic system, you need septic system approval from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

Swimming pools

You need a swimming pool fence for any swimming pool that is more than 24" deep. Before installing your pool, you need a Pool Fence Permit for the construction of a new fence or to confirm your existing fence meets the requirements of the pool fence by-law.

The following is required for a Building Permit for a pool fence:

• Building Permit Application form
• Site plan. Please note: you must indicate overhead power line locations on your site plan (if applicable) 
• Swimming Pool Fence Information form
• Applicable Law checklist
• Authorization from the owner (if you are not the homeowner)
• Building Permit fee

Once you have all of your required documentation you can apply at the Building Services office or apply for your permit online. For more information refer to the pool fence by-law or contact one of our Residential Building Technicians on our Building and Plumbing Permit Information page.

Water well record

If you are building a new house without a city water supply, you need a well. The well must be drilled or dug by a licensed well technician. If there is an existing well on the property, you have to provide a well record. Contact Wells Help Desk Ontario. If the existing well is more than three years old, it has to be tested by a licensed well tester. For more information, email our Senior Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector or call 807-625-2203.

Subdividing land

Consent to sever

If you would like to sever one or two parcels of land, you must apply for Consent to Sever. 

The Committee of Adjustment votes on consent applications.

To sever three or more parcels at a time, you must complete an Application for Approval of a Plan of Subdivision or Condominium.

For more information, please view planning applications.