Building Services

Residential Building Permits

• Accessory Apartment Unit
• Accessory Buildings (Detached Garages, Sheds)
• Addition or Renovation
• Decks & Porches
• Demolition of a Building
• Finishing a Basement
• New Houses
• Plumbing
• Private On-Site Sewage Systems
• Sign Permits
• Swimming Pool Enclosures

Non-Residential Building Permits

• New Buildings & Additions
• Backflow Prevention Devices
• Change of Use
• Demolition of a Building
• Temporary Tents
• Sign Permits

Roles & Responsibilities

Each stakeholder has a defined role in the building permit process; there are responsibilities attached to each role. Knowing your role in the construction and demolition permit process is beneficial because:

• It sets expectations for yourself and others;
• Helps mitigate risk as things are less likely to be missed or overlooked;
• Increases production and less energy is wasted;
• Creates a collaborative working environment with fewer discrepancies; and,
• Ultimately: it’s the law.

You can contribute to the success of your project by understanding the various roles in the building permit process.

Roles of Various Persons Involved in Building Construction & Demolition

Every person who causes a building to be constructed or demolished must ensure that:

1. The construction or demolition proceeds in accordance with the Building Code, the Building Code Act, and the Issued Permit Package issued by the Chief Building Official i.e. Reviewed Drawings, Permit Placard, etc.);
2. That no construction commences without an issued building permit; and
3. Where required, ensure that construction or demolition is carried out by a qualified professional with the appropriate insurance as per the Building Code Act.

Applicant

1. The Role of the Applicant is to ensure that a complete application is submitted to the Building Services Division.
   1. In accordance with the Building Code Act, Building Code, and Building By-Laws:
   2. Drawings are required to be drawn to scale.
   3. Drawings require enough detail to perform both plan review and inspections, once issued.

2. The Applicant is the principle contact for the project and is responsible for all communication between the Building Services Department, Designers, Contractors, Owners, Prime Consultants, and any other person(s) with a vested interest in the project.

3. If the Applicant is not the Owner of the property on which a building will be constructed or demolished, a Property Owner Consent Letter must be provided with the building permit application.

4. The Applicant must ensure that all fees associated with the proposed construction are paid upon receipt of the invoice.
5. Regarding revisions to building permits, the Applicant shall only schedule an inspection once the revision has been approved by the Building Services Department.

6. If there are any changes in major project stakeholders (i.e. Consultants, Builders/Contractors, Designers, or Owner), the Applicant must notify the City of Barrie’s Chief Building Official.

Owner

The role of the Owner is to ensure that the building is maintained, repaired, and evaluated in accordance with the Building Code Act and the Building Code. The Owner is also responsible for ensuring that documents, records, and other information about the building are kept safe and can be provided in accordance with the Act.

Builder/Contractor

1. The role of the Builder/Contractor is to proceed with construction when a building permit required under the Act has been issued by the Chief Building Official.
2. The Builder/Contractor will:
   1. in accordance with the reviewed permit drawings
   2. Use appropriate building techniques to achieve compliance
   3. To notify the Designer and Building Inspector of any changes are required to be made from the reviewed permit drawings.

Building Services

The role of the Building Services Division is to ensure that proposed construction meets the requirements of the Building Code Act, Building Code, Town Building  By-law, and all other Applicable Law as defined under Article 1.4.1.3. of Div A, Part 1 of the Ontario Building Code.

Building Inspector

The role of a Building Inspector is to determine compliance with the Building Code Act, Ontario Building Code, Town Building By-Law, and Applicable Law prior to issuance of a building permit.

Before the Building Permit is Issued

1. During  the permit application stage the Building Inspector will:

1. Perform a review of the permit application package
2. Provide review comments to the Applicant in a timely manner
3. Issue permits once compliance is shown

After the Building Permit is Issued

2. Perform an inspection to confirm construction is in accordance with the reviewed permit drawings approved plans and the Building Code. Upon inspection, the Building Inspector will:
   1. Provide inspection reports with deficiencies found during inspection
   2. Place an Order in accordance with the Building Code Act, when required.
   3. Approve minor on-site revisions due to construction difficulties

Chief Building Official

The Role of the Chief Building Official is to coordinate and oversee the enforcement of the Building Code Act, Building Code, and the Town Building By-law by establishing operation policies for the enforcement of the Act.

Most renovation, construction or demolition projects require a building permit. Below is a list of common projects that do and do not require a permit.

You will need to meet zoning regulations even if your project doesn’t require a building permit.

Examples of Projects that require a Building Permit

Please contact Building Services for your specific situation.

New Construction Projects:

• Any new building greater than 10m² (108 ft²) in size (the area of the building's footprint)
• Any new building that contains plumbing, irrespective of size
• Any addition to an existing building, irrespective of size
• Concrete porches
• Raised decks more than (24") above existing grade at any point
• Detached or attached garages and carports
• Solariums
• Addition of a dormer
• Sunrooms
• Installing or changing a swimming pool fence enclosure
• Tents 60 m²  (645 ft²)more ground area)

Demolition and Alterations

• Demolishing any building greater than 10m² (108 ft²) in size
• Adding, removing or altering a structural wall or column
• Adding, removing or altering a non-loadbearing partition
• Changing the use of a building
• Installing a basement entrance
• Relocating a Building
• Changing a fireplace from gas to wood or solid fuel burning
• Roughing in a bathroom or washroom
• Installing a fireplace or wood stove
• Renovating a dwelling to provide a full basement
• Construction separate rooms in a basement
• Installing an accessory apartment
• Installing any new plumbing piping
• Repairing or installing an on-site sewage system
• Connecting to municipal sanitary and storm sewers
• Installing a new furnace utilizing a new fuel source
• Installing an exterior sign
• An underground sprinkler system connected to building plumbing
• Installing a solar hot water system
• Recycling grey water to reduce water use
• Commercial roof-mounted solar projects
• Replacing an exterior wall or cladding

A building permit is required for construction whether the work is on the interior or the exterior of the building or dwelling.  There is no exemption for a building permit when performing construction solely within or inside a dwelling.

Examples of Projects that do not require a Building Permit

If you are within the Downtown Collingwood Heritage Conservation District or your building is designated under the Heritage Act you may require a Minor Heritage Permit.

Although a building permit may not be required, compliance with the Town Zoning By-law is still required where applicable.

• Constructing detached accessory buildings less than 10m² (108 sq. ft.) in area
• Residential decks not attached to a building or adjacent to a building entrance, that are less than 10m² (or 108 sq.ft.) in area
• Residential decks less than 600mm (24 inches) above existing grade at all locations
• Damp-proofing basements
• Replacing plumbing fixtures or water heaters
• Replacing a furnace or adding air conditioning units or a heat pump
• Electrical projects (contact the Electrical Safety Authority)
• Kitchen or bathroom cupboards
• Painting and decorating
• Maintenance and repairs
• Replacing windows or doors
• Replacing roofing or shingles
• Fences other than a pool enclosure fence
• Retaining walls less than 1 metre in height
• Sidewalks, planters and landscaping
• Garden pergolas and gazebos that do not have a solid roof
• Ground mounted solar collectors
• Solar collectors mounted on a building, with a surface area less than 5 m²

Effective January 1, 2022, a Zoning Certificate is required before you apply for a building permit.

 Zoning Certificate Process

• Different forms, drawings, and other documents are required depending on the type of your project. You’ll need to submit these when you apply for your permit.
• Refer to the applicable permit checklist for your project:

Residential Projects

Non-Residential Projects

Canada Greener Homes Grant provides funds for home evaluations and retrofits, to a total of $5,600. Homeowners are eligible for up to $600 total for the cost of pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and for up to $5,000 total for the implementation of eligible retrofits such as home insulation, windows doors, and air sealing. It is important that you read all eligibility criteria and grant requirements to be sure that you will qualify for reimbursement at the end of the process.

Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Program provides help for income-qualified homes to rebates for energy-efficient upgrades such as:

• Air Sealing
• Furnace
• Home assistance
• Home energy audit
• Increasing attic insulation
• Windows and doors
• Water heater
• Smart thermostat

Ontario Renovates Program includes funding for urgent repairs, renovations, and accessibility modifications for low to moderate-income homeowners. Funding of up to $15,000 per unit is available. Accessibility modifications are particularly beneficial for seniors to allow them to 'age in place' and persons with disabilities who require unit modifications.

Save on Energy's Energy Affordability Program provides support to income-eligible electricity consumers by helping them lower their monthly electricity costs and increase their home comfort.

All applications for building permits, demolition permits, plumbing permits, certified models, shop drawings, sign permits, and pool enclosure permits must be submitted using the Public Portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted.

Submit

1. You must register prior to using the Public Portal
2. Follow the steps when completing your application.
3. Credit card payment will be required to pay your fees

Review

1. When your application is successfully submitted through the Public Portal, Staff will complete a pre-screen of your application to review for completeness and compliance with the Building Code and Applicable Law. A status update will be sent via email within mandated timelines. 
2. You may also view the status under "My Items" on the Public Portal
3. Application review comments are provided during the review to identify any outstanding requirements and to summarize permit fees.
4. Resubmit revised plans and documents for further review (until approval).
5. Permit issued when review is complete and all fees are paid.

Approval

1. You will receive an email notification when your plans review is completed.
2. When the permit is issued, login to download the approved plans and documents.
3. Applicants are responsible for printing the permit card, permit placard, and one (1) set of approved plans for use on site.