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Part Permit: Shoring & Excavation
A "part" or stand-alone permit that lets shoring, tie-backs and excavation start ahead of the full building permit.
You need it when: You install shoring (caissons, piles), tie-backs or excavate before the full building permit is issued.
Why it's needed
- Required before shoring (caisson/piling) and excavation, including tie-backs.
When to apply
- Usually the first Toronto Building permit on a site. Align it with the excavation start.
- Tie-backs under the City right-of-way also need a Tie-back, Piling & Shoring Agreement from Transportation Services.
Review time
Plan for about 30 business days.
Documents for a complete application
- Application form + Schedule 1
- Sealed shoring/excavation drawings and design calculations
- Geotechnical report and monitoring plan (instrumentation, trigger levels)
- Tie-back layout showing ≥1.0 m clearance to trunk watermains/sewers, plus owner consents where anchors cross property lines
- Toronto Building application checklist for the permit type (ask for the latest version at pre-application)
Submission checklists
How to submit
- Electronic submission to Toronto Building.
Often needed first
Forms and guides
- Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (City of Toronto, application form)
- Commitment to General Reviews by Architect and Engineer (City of Toronto, declaration)
- Vibration Control Form (City of Toronto, declaration)
Official pages
Track Part Permit: Shoring & Excavation free.
Track this permit freeDeadlines in business days, email alerts before decisions are due, and your whole team in one place.
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.