Building Permits

Our Building Permit Services staff are here to help guide you through the application process but cannot provide designer advice.

Building permit application processing depends upon:

• the quality and completeness of your plans
• how quickly you respond to our review comments
• whether you meet the Building Code and other applicable laws
• workload volume

Processing times for complete applications vary depending on the type of construction.

Incomplete applications are not subject to these timelines. 

Applications are considered premature and will not be processed, where it is determined that the proposal requires:

• re-zoning or Committee of Adjustment approval
• an amendment to the Durham Region or City of Oshawa Official Plan
• entering into a site plan agreement or an amendment thereto
• registration of a subdivision agreement

The Ontario Building Code regulates the period within which a permit can be issued or refused. However, due to record breaking volume of applications, we cannot guarantee review timeframes will be met. Please account for this when applying for your building permit.

For most projects, you will require at a minimum the following:

Forms

• Application to construct or demolish
• Schedule 1 designer information
• Owner's authorization form
• Applicable law form

Permit Plans

• Plans and Specifications drawn to scale, showing the proposed work, (e.g. materials used, sizes, spans, and dimensions)
• Plan of survey or a site plan (a hand-drawn likeness is acceptable). Site plans must show the property lines with dimensions of driveways and existing and proposed buildings.

View Developer specific information. 

You may need to have an Architect, Professional Engineer, or a Designer who is qualified with a Building Code Identification Number (B.C.I.N.) to draw your plans.

All drawings for non-residential and multi-residential properties such as apartments and condominiums must be signed, sealed and dated by an architect, professional engineer and/or qualified designer.

Before you start a new project, check the zoning of your property to find out if there are any restrictions on what you can build. Zoning Regulations include Height, Lot Coverage, set-backs, landscape open space requirements, etc.

Depending on the type of project you are working on and where your property is located there may be applicable law approvals needed before your building permit can be issued.

Complete the Applicable Law form and include with your building permit application.

Common examples of applicable law include:

• Planning Act, s. 34 or 38
  • Requires compliance with the City of Oshawa Zoning By-law

• Ontario Heritage Act, s. 33, 34
  • Consent of Council or Heritage Preservation Services to alter or demolish a property that is designated under the Act. For more information see Oshawa Heritage Properties

• Ontario Heritage Act, s. 42  
  • Where land is designated in a heritage conservation district, heritage permit issued by Council or Heritage Preservation Services. For more information see Oshawa Heritage Properties

• Site Plan Approval
  • Planning Act. s. 41, Requirement for Site Plan Control By-law No. 137-1989, contact Planning Services

• Planning Act, Zoning s.34 By-law Amendment
  • Where proposed development requires an amendment to local zoning provisions contact Planning Services

• Planning Act, s. 45
  • Where an application does not comply with all local zoning provisions, final and binding decision by the Committee of Adjustment may be required.
    
  • Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, s.34 or 38
  • Where construction is adjacent to a highway (within 400m of HWY 401 or HWY 407, Building and Land Use Permit is required from the Province of Ontario Ministry of Transportation
    

• Conservation Authorities Act s.38
  • Where construction is in a fill regulated area or flood plain or may interfere with a watercourse, contact the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (C.L.O.C.A.)

• Environmental Protection Act. s. 168
  • Where industrial or commercial property changed to residential use. Record of Site Condition to be filed with the Ministry of Environment, conformance to Certificate of Property Use, view the Province of Ontario Ministry of Environment of Site Condition Guide

• Environmental Protection Act. s. 46
  • Where building requires confirmation of waste disposal site contact the Province of Ontario Ministry of Environment Waste Disposal Site Approvals

• Greenbelt/Oak Ridges Moraine approvals

All lands within the City of Oshawa are subject to the Site Alteration By-law. This by-law helps the City regulate grading activities within private land, such as removing or adding soil that may change a homeowner's land levels.

Changing your land surface or grade could interfere with the way water moves off your property. Water that cannot drain off correctly can cause problems for yourself or your neighbour. 

If your project is on a parcel of land which is not presently serviced, you will be required to obtain the appropriate permits from the Region of Durham for connection permits

If any part of your project requires a Storm Sewer connection, please contact Engineering Services.  

If your project is on a parcel of land which is not able to be serviced, then you must provide a Well Water Certificate prepared by a licensed water well contractor.

The applicant is responsible for obtaining connection to electricity, gas, telephone or other agencies if the project requires these services.

Any construction around our Oshawa Executive Airport that will create an obstacle, such as a temporary crane or high structure is a hazard to aviation safety.

You will need clearance from the Oshawa Executive Airport before a building permit is issued. 

Contact Service Oshawa if your project requires a curb to be cut or widened

Your project may require a non-refundable Roadway Restoration Application Fee (R.R.A.F.), which you will be informed of once your permit application is reviewed by our staff.

The R.R.A.F. (where applicable) is the responsibility of the owner or owner’s authorized agent to complete the R.R.A.F. application form and pay the non-refundable fee of $150 to the City.

The R.R.A.F. is required prior to the issuance of a building permit for the erection, alteration, repair, or demolition of any structure on the specified lands. City staff complete inspections (before and after construction) and apply the fee paid against potential costs associated with repairing any damage to City Infrastructure (e.g. curbing, sidewalk, paved boulevard).  

Once construction is complete and the building permit is closed, please contact Service Oshawa to request the final R.R.A.F. inspection to close your file.

For more information please review the Roadway Restoration By-Law