Frequently Asked Questions

•  A building permit is a licence.
• It grants legal permission to start construction of a project.
• It gives building officials the means to enforce the requirements of various standards. 

•   To ensure that construction within our municipality meets with standards set out in the Ontario       Building Code
•  To ensure the zoning requirements, fire and structural safety standards and other building standards are met. 

•  The homeowner
• You may authorize your contractor or designer to apply for the permit
• The owner should ensure that they have the permit prior to any work starting

•  For new construction, additions, alterations, renovations, relocations, and repairs
• For the rehabilitation of a building or structure
• Not required for some minor repairs

• Decks
• New fireplace
• Completion of roughed-in fireplaces
• Porches
• Sunrooms
• Solariums
• Carports
• Attached or detached garages
• Dormers
• One or two story additions
• Furnace replacements to a greater efficiency
• Plumbing and/or drains
• Major duct work changes
• New or structural alterations to windows to doors
• Adding or removing most walls
• Basement or main floor walkouts
• Swimming pools
• Construction or alteration of any freestanding structure over 10m2 (108sq.ft.) in area
• Sprinklers Systems
• Solar Panels
• Relining of the private sewer connection

• Air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing systems
• Pool heaters
• Painting and decorating
• Landscaping
• Fences (other than masonry, concrete, etc.)
• Asphalt roof shingling (non-structural)
• Eaves troughs
• Minor repairs to masonry
• Kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
• Freestanding satellite dishes
• A detached accessory structure, which measures less than 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) in area. (An accessory structure is any building or structure other than the house.)
• Solar Panels - free standing

• Costly repairs may be required to gain compliance
• Removal of work done not in compliance will be required
• The building permit application fee may be increased
• Legal action may be initiated by the Planning & Building Services Department to gain compliance

•  Construction or Demolition must start within 6 months of issuance of the permit. Failure to do so could result in the revocation of the permit
• Construction or Demolition must not be substantially suspended or discontinued for more than one year. Suspension or discontinuation could result in the revocation of the permit

Note: Certification by a Professional Engineer is required for certain prefabricated structures or construction components. Check with City Hall's Building Customer Service. 

•  You can apply through our website or:
• Planning & Building Services Department
3540 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON  L2V 4Y6 (Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) 

•  Several inspections are required during construction to ensure that all work is done according to the approved plans

Q: What is the zoning of my property?

• Please see the ZONING Section on this the Building Services page or;
• For more detailed zoning information, you will need to contact the Planning & Building Services Department at 905-227-6613

• Construction will start for a commercial or industrial project once site plan approval has been granted and a building permit has been issued.

Q: What do I need to obtain a demolition permit?

•  Once a demolition application is received, the Planning & Building Services Department sends out, by fax, a request for a clearance from ENWIN and UNION GAS. We do not issue the demolition permit until these clearances are received back to the Planning & Building Services Department. It is incumbent upon the demolition contractor to contact these utilities to obtain the necessary shutoffs so that the clearance can be sent to the Planning & Building Services Department in a timely manner.
• The "Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish" must be filled out and signed by the applicant. If there are any environment considerations, the necessary Environmental Building Audits must be submitted prior to the issuance of the demolition permit. Also, please note:  if the building exceeds:
  • 3 storeys in building height or 600 m² in building area,
  • the building structure includes pre-tensioned or post-tensioned members,
  • it is proposed that the demolition will extend below the level of the footings of any adjacent building and occur within the angle of repose of the soil, drawn from the bottom of such footings, or
  • explosives or a laser are to be used during the course of demolition, a professional engineer must be retained to undergo the review of the demolition. This Department, prior to the release of the permit, will require documentation from the professional engineer

Q: Why do you need a Zoning by-law?

A zoning by-law:

• implements the objectives and policies of a municipality's official plan;
• provides a legal way of managing land use and future development ; and
• in addition to the official plan, protects you from conflicting and possibly dangerous land uses in your community.