General Information
You do not need a building permit for the following:
- replacing your flooring (carpet, tile, hardwood, etc.)
- installing cabinets with no plumbing changes
- replacing a window or door of the same size
Note: A finished basement must comply with the Ontario Building Code and Oshawa's Zoning By-Law.
For all complaints regarding construction without a building permit, please call our office at 905-436-5658 or email buildings@oshawa.ca
| General Building Code Requirements |
- You must have a minimum ceiling height of 6 ft 11 in. You can reduce the ceiling height to 6 ft 5 in underneath your beams and ducts.
- Doors must have a gap under them for rooms without return air ductwork.
- Each bedroom needs natural light. The total window area must be 5% of the room's floor area.
- Windows in walls that are closer than 4 ft to the property line require a fire rating protection of 45 minutes.
- The main exhaust fan in a house with not more than 5 bedrooms must comply with the Ontario Building Code. If there are more than 5 bedrooms, you need a qualified designer to determine if your mechanical system is sufficient.
- There must be a smoke alarm in each bedroom and in each hallway leading to the bedrooms.
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| General Zoning Restrictions |
- The entire building shall be a "single housekeeping establishment" with inside access throughout the entire building.
- There is to be no extra cooking facilities in the building.
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| Permit Application Requirements |
- A building permit application form and a Schedule 1 Designer Information form fully completed. An owner's authorization form will be required if the applicant is not the property owner.
- Include two copies of the survey or site plan of your property showing dimensions of all buildings and structures, including distance to all property lines. If you do not have a survey, a hand-drawn likeness is acceptable. Indicate any additions or enlargement of windows on your site plan.
- Include two copies of your drawings showing your existing floor plans of all levels in your house and a detailed floor plan of your new basement layout.
- Permit fee when you apply. You may pay by cheque (payable to "City of Oshawa"), cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
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