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Building Permit (full)
Authorizes construction of a new building, an addition or a material alteration of a building or structure.
You need it when: You construct a new building, an addition, or materially alter a building or structure.
Why it's needed
- Required under the Building Code Act for most construction, demolition, additions and major renovations [TO].
- Also covers stacked site trailers, trailers without wheels or needing a water hook-up, and pedestrian bridges attached to a building.
When to apply
- Obtain before construction beyond shoring/excavation, or use part permits (shoring, foundation, superstructure) to start earlier.
- Large projects may get a conditional permit (Conditional Building Permit Agreement); the unconditional permit follows site plan approval.
- Plan for multiple review cycles. Review timelines apply per complete submission.
Review time
Plan for about 90 business days. OBC review for Part 3 large/complex buildings: 20–30 BD per complete submission [TO]; plan ~90 BD to allow for multiple cycles [Guide].
Documents for a complete application
- Completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (Ontario form) + Schedule 1 designer information for every design discipline
- Zoning Applicable Law Certificate (ZAP) or other confirmation of zoning compliance
- Evidence that other Applicable Law approvals are in place (e.g., Site Plan approval, TRCA permit, MTO Building & Land Use permit near provincial highways)
- Architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings, sealed by Ontario-licensed professionals
- Ontario Building Code data matrix / code analysis; fire-protection & life-safety report where applicable
- Geotechnical report (for foundations/shoring)
- Commitment to General Review by architect and engineer
- Electronic submission per Toronto Building's Electronic Submission Guidelines (PDF naming, sheet index)
- Toronto Building application checklist for the permit type (ask for the latest version at pre-application)
Submission checklists
How to submit
- Submit electronically to Toronto Building; confirm the channel at the pre-application meeting.
- Pay fees (calculated on the proposed work). EFT/credit card processes faster than cheque.
- Toronto Building confirms completeness (≈5–7 BD) before the review clock starts.
- Track status with the Building Application Status search.
Fees
Calculated per Municipal Code Ch. 363 based on building class and floor area.
Tips
- Book a pre-application meeting to confirm checklist items and submission logistics.
- Hold a regular (e.g., monthly) working group with Toronto Building on large programs [Plan].
Often needed first
- Site Plan Control / Site Plan Review
- Zoning Applicable Law Certificate (ZAP)
- MTO Building & Land Use Permit
Forms and guides
- Municipal Road Damage Deposit Declaration (Toronto Building) (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (City of Toronto, application form)
- Schedule 1: Designer Information (City of Toronto, application form)
- Commitment to General Reviews by Architect and Engineer (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Building Design Information Form (City of Toronto, application form)
- Vibration Control Form (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Declaration: Use of Zoning Applicable Law Certificate (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Tree Protection By-law Declaration (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Declaration: Overhead Electrical Conductors (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Toronto Building: Building Permit Guide (City of Toronto, guide)
Official pages
Track Building Permit (full) free.
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Sources are marked in the text: [TO] toronto.ca pages, [Guide] general industry guidance, [Plan] permit planning practice. Confirm on the official page before applying.