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Building Permits

Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must obtain a building permit to construct, demolish, renovate, alter, install or change the use of a building. Construction may not begin until a building permit has been issued.

Please note that the examples below are for general use and don’t cover every situation. For advice on whether your project requires a permit, please contact the Building Services Department at 705-337-4262.

You DO need a Building Permit for the following projects:

New Construction:

  • Any new building greater than 15 m2 (160 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 (645 sq. ft. / 60 m2 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 project
  • Replacing an exterior wall or cladding

You need a building permit whether the work is on the interior or the exterior of the building or dwelling. 

You DO NOT need a Building Permit for the following housing projects:

  • Constructing detached single-storey accessory buildings (no plumbing) less than 15 m2 in area
  • Decks less than 600 mm (24 inches) above existing grade at all locations
  • Interior damp-proofing basements
  • Replacing plumbing fixtures or water heaters
  • Replacing a furnace or adding air conditioning units or a heat pump
  • Electrical projects
  • Kitchen or bathroom cupboards
  • Painting and decorating
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Replacing windows or doors with no changes to the size of the rough opening
  • Replacing roofing or shingles
  • Fences other than a pool enclosure fence (refer to fence permits)
  • Retaining walls less than 1 meter in height
  • Sidewalks, planters and landscaping
  • Ground or roof mounted solar photovoltaic panels

Before planning your project, find out what Zoning By-laws and other Applicable Laws apply to your project.

Use the  Zoning By-law No.4198  to know:

  • how land may be used (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.);
  • where buildings and other structures can be located;
  • the types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used; and
  • the lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks.

 

Please see our online Guides to Building Permits. It shows the forms, drawings and documents you need to send us for each type of permit application.

Your building permit application must include:

  1. Completed application forms
  2. Completed zoning compliance form 
  3. Drawings and supporting documentation
  4. The applicable permit fee

All new construction in Kapuskasing must have an inspection done by City Building Officials. Buildings must meet the health and safety requirements of the Ontario Building Code, the Building Code Act, the Building By-law and other applicable laws and standards. Staff can also perform special investigations of illegal construction and unsafe buildings.

The following is a list of typical projects that require inspection:

  • All commercial, industrial and institutional projects
  • All commercial and industrial tenant projects
  • All housing and accessory use projects, including additions and renovations
  • Change of Use projects
  • Life safety systems
  • Commercial kitchen exhaust systems and the fire suppression system
  • Spray booth exhaust systems and the fire suppression system

We kindly Request that inspections are coordinated with our Office 48 hours in advance.:

 

SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION

 

Inspection Checklists

During construction and at the time of building occupancy, building officials inspect a building for compliance with the building permit documents and the Ontario Building Code. We receive many requests on what our inspectors check for during these inspections. Use the following checklists to make sure your structure is built to code*.

Housing Permit Inspection Checklists

* Checklists cannot contain all references in the Building Code. You must build in full compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Act even though you have checked all items on the checklist.

 

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