Home Owners

A building permit must be obtained from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury before you begin most construction projects within the municipality. See below for more information on how to apply for a permit.

By obtaining a permit, not only will you comply with the requirements of the Building Code Act, you will also benefit by having your plans and the actual construction of your project reviewed and approved as it progresses. These reviews and approvals are meant to ensure that the minimum construction standards established by the Ontario Building Code have been met to protect the health, safety and welfare of both inhabitants and users of buildings.

Select a Project Type

Accessory Dwelling Units

The following items are required to be submitted for the construction and registration of a secondary unit after July 14, 1994. If the accessory dwelling unit was in existence prior to this date, please consult with the Town's Office of Community Planning at 905-775-5366 ext. 1400.

Learn more about Accessory Dwelling Units in BWG.

Step 1: Building Code Review

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
Applicable drawings shall be to scale and must include;
- A copy of a property survey/site plan which clearly indicates the following:
  - Location of the entry/exit door(s) for the accessory dwelling
  - Dimensions of the available parking
    - A minimum 3 parking spaces each measuring 2.7m x 6m, is required for a property with an accessory dwelling unit. All parking must be maintained on the property. Garage parking may be included in the number of parking spaces. Provide dimensions of driveway and garage.
- A copy of floor plans
  - Floor plans must include the details contained in the Homeowner's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units
    - The gross floor area of the accessory dwelling cannot exceed 45% of the gross floor area of the main building and shall be no less than 38 square metres (409 sq. ft.)

Please download and review the Homeowner's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units which includes a copy of the zoning compliance form, building permit application form, and a summary of the submission process requirements for accessory dwelling units.

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

A refundable security deposit in the amount of 10% of the construction value (minimum of $500.00 to maximum of $2,000.00) will be required at time of building permit issuance and may be released once all required inspections have been completed.

Step 2: Registration

Once the building permit has received the final inspection, the security deposit release may be processed and the accessory dwelling unit must then be registered with the Planning Department.

Accessory Building/Structures

Please be advised that a permit is required for an accessory structure that is greater than 10 square meters (107 square feet), or a shed that is greater than 15 square meters (161 square feet), or if plumbing is being proposed inside.

Definition of "shed"

According to 2012 Ontario Building Code, Division C 1.3.1.1.(6), a shed:

is not more than 15 square meters (161 square feet),
is not more than one storey in building height,
is not attached to a building or any other structure,
is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and
does not have plumbing.

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for an accessory building/structure permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
A copy of a site plan drawing showing the location of the proposed structure with all of the applicable setbacks to the property lines
A copy of elevation drawings showing the height of the proposed structure measured from average finished grade to the midpoint of the roof
A copy of architectural and structural drawings
Conservation Authority (LSRCA or NVCA) approval, if applicable

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Please download and complete the Accessory Structures Package as part of the permit submission.

Additions

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for an addition permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
A copy of a site plan showing the location of the proposed addition along with all of the applicable setbacks to the property lines
A copy of elevation drawings showing the height of the proposed addition from average finished grade to the midpoint of the roof
Complete architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings for the building. Please download and complete the permit application checklist. (Please be advised not all of these may apply to your project; your Designer will be able to determine what documents/drawings will be required for your submittal.)
Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable

Please be advised for properties serviced by septic, a septic re-evaluation may be required dependent on the size of the addition, proposed room uses, and/or proposed plumbing fixtures.

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Basement Finishing

A permit is required for the interior finishing of basement areas including framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and insulation.

Please note, if the intent of finishing the basement is for the use of an accessory dwelling unit or basement apartment, then the permit application process for an accessory dwelling unit will be required.

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for basement finishing permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Property Owner
A copy of a floor plan illustrating the following:
- Identify all rooms
- Indicate room sizes with dimensions
- Specify the location and sizes of all windows and doors including the height of windows from the floor level
- Location and dimension of stairs
- Location of smoke and CO detectors
- Type of interior and exterior wall finishes
- Location of all plumbing fixtures including mechanical ventilation
- Location and size of heat registers in each room and return air grills

Please download and review the basement finishing handout for further information.

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Decks & Porches

Decks meeting any one of the four criteria outlined below require a building permit:

The deck is attached to the house
The deck is serving a required entrance
The deck is greater than 107 square feet in building area, or
The deck is 2 feet or greater in height above grade

Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable, shall be required prior to a full building permit submission.

Please download and review the Deck Package, which includes the building permit application form and a guide which may be completed and submitted as part of the permit submission.

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Demolition

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for a demolition permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Property Owner
Demolition pre-permit clearance form, with all of the applicable sign-offs completed on the form at time of permit submission
A copy of site plan showing location of all structures on the property and outlining the structure(s) to be demolished

For permit fees, please see the “Fee Schedule" as outlined on the demolition pre-permit clearance form at our Building Permit Fees page.

A refundable security deposit as outlined on the demolition pre-permit clearance form will be required at time of building permit issuance and may be released once all required inspections have been completed.

Interior Alterations

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for a residential interior alteration permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
A copy of complete architectural, structural and mechanical (if applicable) drawings

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

New Entrances

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for a new entrance permit:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
A copy of site plan showing location of proposed entrance with the relevant setback from the proposed door to the property line and the setback from the proposed stairs/steps to the property line (if applicable).
A copy of cross-section drawing illustrating the following:
- Lintel size, location & details
- Partial floor layout, where the side entrance opens into the house along with the landing dimensions
- Height of door sill from grade
- Location of exterior light
- Framing details
- Door details including size & type
Approval from the Conservation Authorities (LSRCA or NVCA), if applicable

Please Note: If the project includes any of the following, the drawings must be stamped by an Ontario Professional Engineer:

Insulation for frost protection of footings and foundation when the depth is less than 1.2 meters from the grade,
Building a retaining wall for retaining the soil pressure from the high elevation, or
Underpinning of the existing footings.

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

New Houses

Please download and review the permit application checklist outlining the documents and drawings that may be required for the permit submission. Please be advised not all of these may apply to your project; your Designer will be able to determine what documents/drawings will be required for your submittal.

In addition to the applicable items on this checklist, the following are the baseline items that are required to be submitted to Building Division for a new house:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Property Owner
A copy of architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings (where applicable).
A copy of a site/grading plan showing the existing and proposed buildings/structures and all the applicable setbacks to property lines.
Approval from the Conservation Authorities (LSRCA or NVCA), if applicable

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

A refundable security deposit in the amount of $10,000.00 will be required at time of building permit issuance and may be released once all required inspections have been completed.

Applicable development charges are to be confirmed by the finance department once the complete permit submission is received.

Pre-fabricated Buildings

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for a pre-fabricated building (residential storage/personal use):

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
A copy of site plan showing location of the proposed building with all the applicable setbacks to the property lines.
A copy of drawings/design of the proposed pre-fabricated building stamped by an Ontario Professional Engineer.
Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Septic Systems

The following items are required to be submitted to the Building Division for a new septic system or alterations to an existing septic system:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Property Owner
A copy of site plan showing location of existing and proposed septic system (septic tank and tile bed including clearances)
Septic system drawings and details
Statement of design form
On-site sewage system design
Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.

Swimming Pool Enclosures

For information on the Swimming Pool Fence By-law, click here.

Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable, shall be required prior to a full building permit submission.

To apply for a Swimming Pool Enclosure Permit, please download and complete the Swimming Pool Enclosure Package.

Tents

A building permit is required for a tent or group of tents that is more than 60 square metres (645 square feet) in aggregate ground area.

Please download the Tent Permits Guide outlining the permit submission requirements for tent.

Please Note: Approval from the Conservation Authorities (NVCA or LSRCA), if applicable, shall be required prior to a full building permit submission.

Sewage and Water Connection

Step 1: Prior to the building permit submission for a sewage and/or water connection, Applicant/Home Owner must complete and submit the Water/Sewer Allocation Request Form to Building Division (in-person or by email). The request form will be then circulated to all of the appropriate departments for Development Charges, available services, and available allocation units.

Step 2: Once all confirmations have been received, Applicant/Home Owner is required to submit the following information for the building permit submission:

Building permit application form
Agent authorization form, if Applicant is not the Home Owner
Site plan of the property
- Indicating location of water/sewer service and size, length, and material of water/sewer line
Development Charges (to be confirmed by Finance department)

For permit fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees page.