Building and Renovating

The Township of Southwold's Building Department ensures that buildings where we live, work and play are safe.

Before you begin any construction, alteration, or renovation projects, it is your responsibility to get the necessary permits. This includes for a new or existing building, or if you would like to use the property for a different purpose other than what it was originally intended for.

Your approved building permit is proof that your project plans have been reviewed and approved by the Township. This includes for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, local Zoning By-Law and any other applicable laws and regulations.

Building By-Law

By-law No. 2025-29 - Building By-law came into effect April 28, 2025.

Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Visit the Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) Page

Building Inspections

Inspections will be required for building projects, which are completed by our Township Building Department. They must be done at each major phase of the construction.

It is the inspector's duty to make sure that the project is being carried out according to the Ontario Building Code, the building permit and approved building plans. The individual responsible for the project must request each inspection from the inspector with 24 hour' notice. If the Building Official finds work that does not conform to the approved plans or building code, the owner will be advised that the situation is to be remedied. This could include issuance of an order. If the violation is serious enough, the Building Official may post a stop-work order. This will be in effect until the problem is resolved. If work continues on the project, without resolution to the stop-work order, legal action may be taken against the builder/owner.

The builder must bring any proposed changes from the original plan to the attention of the Township Building Department. They need to be reviewed following the same process during the original review, so they can be approved or rejected.

To book an inspection with a Township Building Official, please request through your Cloudpermit account, or call the Office at 519-769-2010.

Building Permits

The 2024 Ontario Building Code is now fully in effect.

Visit the Building Permits Page

Civic Addressing

Civic Addressing refers to the blue and white number sign located in front of your property. These signs are installed for everyone's safety and benefit. Please ensure that your sign is always visible from the road. please do not let trees, shrubs, grass or snow build up and cover them.

Emergency Service Vehicles(Ambulance, Fire and Police) are able to find your residence or business much easier, because of the numbering system. If a sign is missing or vandalized, it could cause an emergency service vehicle to have a delayed response.

For farmers and rural property owners: did you know that you can have a 911 sign installed on vacant farms and properties? This can save first responders precious time when responding to an emergency! The Township of Southwold supports the Mission of Farm 911, The Emily Project. The cost of a new sign is included in our current User Fees By-law.

If you would like to request a new or replacement civic address sign, please complete the Citizen Issue/Request Submission form and select "Civic Address Sign Request" in the Issue/Request Type Dropdown.

Permit Deposits

The Township of Southwold Building Department required refundable deposits on all building permits issued within the Township. The deposits will range in amounts dependent on the type and value of the permit. Deposit amounts are shown below. When a permit holder/property owner takes all required action to call for inspections as per the Building Code Act, and when all required documentation has been received by the Building Department, the permit file will be closed and deposits can be refunded.

Septic System Permits

Do I need to apply for a permit?

We issue building permits and inspect all sewage systems with a daily design flow of less than 10,000 litres per day. The following are examples of when a permit is needed to meet the requirements in the Ontario Building Code.

Adding a new septic system
Repairing or replacing a septic system or leaching bed
Connecting a private septic system to a municipal sewer
Decommissioning a septic tank

Note: The owner of the property must also sign the application

Before you start

Onsite sewage systems must be designed and installed by a licenced professional qualified by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

You can install your own septic. However, you will require a permit and inspection. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the Individual Sewage Treatment Worksheet, please contact the Township Building Department by email, or by calling 519-769-2010.

Code Requirements

Please review the Ontario Building Code requirements for the design of an onsite sewage system:

It must be 3 metres from property lines
The tank can be a minimum of 1.5 metres from buildings
The bed area can be a minimum of 5 metres from buildings
The bed should be a minimum of 15 metres from a drilled well or a minimum of 30 metres from a dug well.

How will I know if I have a problem with my septic?

Faulty or poorly designed septic systems can be harmful to the environment. They can also threaten public health by contaminating our local ground water. You should be aware of the warning signs of a failing septic system to keep your family and the community safe. These include:

The ground in the area is wet or soggy
Grass grows greener or faster in that area
Sewage odours in the house or yard
Plumbing backups into the house
Slowly draining sinks and toilets
Gurgling sounds in the plumbing
Test results of well water show the presence of bacteria

Important Information

Your completed septic system must be inspected before it is backfilled. Once we've issued your permit, you cannot make changes to the approved design unless they're approved by the Township Building Department.

Swimming Pool/Fence Permits

Do I need to apply for a permit?

A permit is required when:

Installing a new swimming pool
Relocating an existing swimming pool - above ground types
Replacing an existing swimming pool fence

The Township of Southwold Building Department issues pool permits and inspects all privately owned outdoor swimming pool locations. This includes fences and gates for compliance with the Township's Zoning By-law and Fence By-law.

The Township defined a privately owned swimming pool as "a body of water located outdoors on, above, or below privately owned property contained by artificial means and used or maintained for the purpose of swimming, wading, diving, or bathing and which has a design depth of 0.91 meters or greater (35 inches)".

A permit is NOT required when installing or relocating a hot tub or swim spa. However, these must have locking lids, which are kept locked when not in use, and be placed in a location that complies with the Zoning By-law.

Zoning By-law Requirements

Please review the Township's Zoning By-law on the requirements regarding the location of private property swimming pools. Below are a list of related items in the By-law from Section 3.37:

Pools are not permitted in a front yard
Pools must be a minimum distance of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) from a rear and side property lines
Pool equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, etc.) must be a minimum of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) from a rear and side property line, unless enclosed with an accessory structure
Pool area must be enclosed, as required by the Fence By-law
Pool must be a minimum distance of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) from a septic tank
Pool must be a minimum distance of 5 meters (16 feet) from a distribution pipe of septic systems
Hot tubs and swim spas with locking lids must be a minimum distance of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) from rear and side property lines.

Fence By-Law Requirements

Pleas review the Township's Fence By-law on the requirements related to swimming pools. Below are a list of important items from the By-law pertaining to swimming pools:

Fence must be a minimum height of 1.2 meters (4 feet)
Fence may be a maximum of 1.83 meters (6 feet), or 2.13 meters (7 feet) including a decorative construction (i.e. lattice)
No pool wall shall be used in whole or as a portion of a fence
Fence must be a minimum distance of 1.2 meters (4 feet) from the edge of the pool
Any/all gates to the pool area must be equipped with a lock. Gate to be kept locked unless responsible adult is present and supervising pool
Any/all gates to the pool area to be equipped with a self closing and self latching device in addition to locks mentioned above
Fences and gates are to be erected and inspected prior to placing water in a pool. Temporary enclosures are permitted for 30 days once pool is filled with water

Important Information

It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that construction does not negatively affect the drainage, swales, easements or utilities such as communications cables, gas, or water serviced located on the property. No part of any pool or pool deck shall be located on an easement.

Call Before You Dig

Are you looking to build a deck or fence, put in a pool, or even do some landscaping? Digging in the wrong spot could damage the underground network of utility lines on your property. Call Ontario One Call before you dig – 1-800-400-2255. The services provided by ON1Call are free. They are put in place to protect you and your community from the loss of services and costly consequences that might occur.

Corey Pemberton Sandy Lale
Director of Building and Community Services Deputy Chief Building Official

35663 Fingal Line, Fingal, Ontario, N0L 1K0
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Phone: 519-769-2010 Fax: 519-769-2837
Email