Building Permits

Getting ready to start your next building or demolition project in the Township of Southwold? Make sure that you have an approved permit to avoid delays or costly fees.

Applying for a building permit

Applying for a building or demolition permit in the Township of Southwold is now even easier! We use the online permit software Cloudpermit. All you need to do is create an account, and you can apply for your permit online. Any drawings and related documents for the permit can be uploaded with your application for review by our Township Building Department.

Depending on the type of project, we also have guides available to help you with your online application:

Private sewage disposal systems

We review all applications for compliance with the Ontario Building Code and any applicable laws. If your application is incomplete, it will delay in permit processing time. We will identify any missing requirements during our review and summarize permit fees, as outlined in our Building and Community Services fees.

Before you start

Make sure that you include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the owner or authorized agent as well as the builder, demolition contractor, or wrecker.

We issue permits when our review is completed, and you have paid the required fees. At this point, construction may begin, and inspections are scheduled. You cannot start a construction project until we have issued your permit. It is your responsibility to contact the Township Building Department for the required inspections, which are noted on the building permit.

Residential applications

If you are submitting a residential application, please make sure to include:

Online application through Cloudpermit, including the Schedule 1 Designer Information.
EEDS-Performance or EEDS-Prescriptive Energy Efficiency Design Summary Form.
Owner's Authorization Form (if you are not the owner).

Attach copies of each of the following drawings and information with your permit:

Construction drawings, including foundation plan, floor plans, elevations, wall sections, and cross sections.
Site plan that shows location of the building from property lines.
Site-specific Grading Plan designed and stamped by a Professional Engineer or Ontario Land Surveyor.
Heat Loss and Heat Grain Summary including Duct Design by a qualified designer.
Engineered Roof Truss Design and Layout.
Engineered Floor System Layout including any engineered beams (LVL, PSL, Paralam).

Industrial, commercial and institutional applications

If you are submitting an industrial, commercial or institutional application, please make sure to include the following with your Cloudpermit application:

Schedule 1 Designer information.
OBC Data Matrix,
General Review Commitment Form.
SB-10 Form.
Owner's Authorization Form (if you are not the owner).

For projects with new on-site sewage systems, please complete Schedule 2.

Attach copies of each of the following drawings and information with your permit:

Architectural Drawings and Structural Drawings designed by a qualified professional (BCIN, P. Eng., Arch., C.E.T., etc.).
Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical drawings prepared by a professional engineer.
Project specifications (i.e. architectural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical).
Kitchen Exhaust Design (NFPA 96) prepared by a professional engineer, if applicable.
Data Matrix prepared by a qualified designer or architect.
Sprinkler Drawings and Hydraulic Calculations, if applicable.

Other approvals

Approvals from other agencies may be required before we can process and issue a building permit. Please ensure all other required approvals are complete, such as Conservation Area permits, Planning Approvals, Nutrient Management Plans or Strategies, etc.

Do I need a building permit?

Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must have an approved building permit for the construction of a new building or addition, change of use, or if you are altering any building or structure with a building area of over 10 m².

Common projects

Some common projects that might need a permit include:

Demolition
Adding an attached and detached garage or shed
Installing solid-fueled appliances like wood stoves and wood burning fireplaces
Adding sunrooms, solariums, and porches
Repairing structural foundations and installing of foundation drainage systems
Adding a new, private on-site sewage system, including grey water systems or holding tanks
Repairing or replacing a septic system or leaching bed
Connecting a private septic system to a municipal sewer and decommissioning a septic tank
Change of use (i.e.: office use to retail use)
Structures that support a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3 kilowatts
Solar arrays, solar collector systems, and solar hot water systems mounted on a roof
Livestock and equipment storage buildings
Silos and grain bins
Manure storage structures (excluding earthen structures)
Riding arena
Fabric-type structures

Installing or modifying life safety or fire suppression systems such as fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipe or fixed extinguishing systems, requires a permit. This includes commercial kitchen exhaust hoods and installing electromagnetic locking devices.

Decks

You need a permit for decks that are:

Adjacent to or attached to the house, and its walking surface is more than 600 millimeters (24 inches) above the adjacent grade
Elevated and providing principle access to a building
Independent from the house and has a walking surface greater than 10m² (108 square feet) in area and its walking surface is more than 600 millimeters (24 inches) above the adjacent grade

Precast "deck blocks" can be used where the deck does not support a roof, and does not exceed 55m² (595ft²) in area or 600mm (1' 11") in height

Interior and exterior alterations

A permit is required for interior and exterior alterations, including:

Adding or removing walls, or a new opening in bearing walls
Finishing a basement and/or adding a bedroom in a finished basement
One- or two-storey additions
Adding new windows where none existed before
Adding new plumbing (e.g. drains, waste or vents)
Installing a new backflow prevention device

Projects that do not require a permit

Projects that do not require a permit include:

Replacing or installing asphalt shingles on a roof
Minor roof sheathing repairs
Repointing brick veneer
Damp-proofing a basement
Replacing siding on a house
Replacing a window or a door (if same size or smaller opening)
Kitchen or bathroom cabinets
New flooring
Installing air conditioner units
Replacing an existing furnace
Fences that do not enclose a pool
Pool heaters
Painting or decorating

Sheds that are not more than 15m²in gross area and meet the following conditions do not require a permit:

not more than one storey in building height
not attached to a building or any other structure
is only used for storage purposes ancillary to a principle building on the lot
and does not have plumbing

Their placement must still meet zoning requirements.

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