Building Permits & Inspections

Building Permits

A building permit is required to ensure your project complies with the Ontario Building Code and Essa’s Zoning By-law.

Before applying, contact the Building Department at 705-424-9917 ext. 128 or visit our Building Permit Guideline page. 

You must obtain a building permit before you:

  • Construct any new building over ten square meters in area or place another structure, such as a mobile home, on your property.
  • Make renovations or repairs or add to a building.
  • Change the use of a building.
  • Excavate or construct a foundation.
  • Construct a seasonal building.
  • Undertake work regarding the installation, alteration, extension, or repair of an on-site sewage system.

When a building permit is not required:

  • Construct/demolish a detached accessory shed, with one storey in height and not greater than 15m2 (160 sqft).
  • Construct/demolish a building under 10m2 (108 sqft) with no plumbing.
  • Construct/demolish a deck under 10m2 (108 sqft) in area, not attached to a building or next to an egress door or window.
  • Landscaping providing it does not affect egress windows or doors.
  • Replace doors and or windows that are the same size as the existing doors and or windows.
  • Replace siding on a house, garage, or accessory building.
  • Re-shingle a roof, provided there is no increase in weight of the roofing material.
  • Install eaves, drainage is contained within the property.
  • Repair or replace waterproofing for basements.
  • Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing.
  • Repair or replace plumbing fixtures that are the same size and in the same location.
  • Minor repairs to masonry.
  • Erect a fence, must follow by-laws and does not include pool.
  • Add air-conditioning to an existing HVAC system.
  • Repair non-structural and or non-mechanical fire damage.
  • Install a decorative gas fireplace (not required for heating)
  • Painting or decorating

Please see our Building Permit Application Guideline page.

Building Inspections: 

All inspections are booked through the Building Administrative Assistant. Inspections are booked 48 hours in advance.

You are required to provide the following information when booking your inspection:

  • Building permit number
  • Your address and lot number
  • The type of inspection(s) that you are booking
  • Your preference for the date and time for your inspection

Staff endeavors to meet preferred date(s) and time(s) for your inspection.  Sometimes unforeseen circumstances require the date/time to be re-scheduled.

The Ontario Building Code has indicated that at particular stages of construction, the applicant shall give notifications for required inspections set out in Div. C Part 1 Section 1.3.5.1.(2).  In the case of a single family dwelling with the required limiting distance to structures next to it the inspections could involve the following:

  1. Footings before concrete
  2. Footings and foundation – prior to backfill, includes weeping tile
  3. Underground water service piping (where applicable)
  4. Building sewer and building drains (testing required)
  5. Structural framing – rough-in for plumbing (testing required) and HVAC systems –roof system in place, doors and windows in place, building watertight.
  6. Insulation
  7. Air barrier/ vapour barrier
  8. Sewage system test hole
  9. Sewage system scarified base (if applicable)
  10. Sewage system – installation before backfill (if applicable)
  11. Occupancy – please note septic system approval required prior to occupancy

Township of Essa
building@essatownship.on.ca
Phone: 705-424-9917
Fax: 705-424-2367
TTY: 705-424-5302

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