Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1
Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Hi folks,
In the UK, we have Planning Permission that you'd apply for through your local council.
I've searched Service Ontario and a few other services, but I can't find out where I have to apply for planning permission.
Any help?
In the UK, we have Planning Permission that you'd apply for through your local council.
I've searched Service Ontario and a few other services, but I can't find out where I have to apply for planning permission.
Any help?
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,028
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
You need to look on the town or city website. The zoning bylaw will tell you some of what you can do in your part of town then you need to find what permits you need, also applied for via the town. Might be simpler just to call your town hall and ask for the planning department and tell them what you want to do and they will tell you if you can and what permits you need.
#3
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
A quick Google search will give you the relevent page for the City (add the City to the search parameter)
https://www.google.ca/search?client=....0.FGnPHbyQ4Ew
https://www.google.ca/search?client=....0.FGnPHbyQ4Ew
#4
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
This affects what land can be used for, each province is similar.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/h...ovating/zoning
If the zoning is correct (rezoning can be applied for, but is quite expensive and success is not assured), building permits need to be obtained for non agricultural construction (and some ag too). Everything has to have permits, footings, electrical, water and a host of other things. There are fees for all of this.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/h...ovating/zoning
If the zoning is correct (rezoning can be applied for, but is quite expensive and success is not assured), building permits need to be obtained for non agricultural construction (and some ag too). Everything has to have permits, footings, electrical, water and a host of other things. There are fees for all of this.
#5
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Which local municipality are you in. ?
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Ajax, Ont
Posts: 277
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
We've been looking into this as well and it's definitely a municipal government issue. Each town issues it's own permits.
#7
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
If it is you planning to get the permission and it is something like minor in your own home (i.e an expansion going beyond normal zoning limits), show the plans to the immediate neighbours prior to submitting and prior to the hearing so you don't get surprised by opposition with the panel members watching you squirm.
#8
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
We applied for, and obtained, building permits for a couple of domestic projects: we added a floor to a house and, at a different location, built a barn. The experience was chalk and cheese.
At the first planning department we turned up with professional drawings that failed to take into account some recent variations in the window placement bylaws. That set off a tizzy and it was months later, after repeatedly submitting revisions, that the permit was granted.
At the second they were forthcoming about the requirements "up to 1200 sq ft, 50' from the boundary, should be no problem" and granted the permit as soon as we delivered a sketch, noting a required revision on the returned document.
In both cases there were site inspections so there was no issue of non-compliance with codes. It's just that some people are easy to deal with and some not.
At the first planning department we turned up with professional drawings that failed to take into account some recent variations in the window placement bylaws. That set off a tizzy and it was months later, after repeatedly submitting revisions, that the permit was granted.
At the second they were forthcoming about the requirements "up to 1200 sq ft, 50' from the boundary, should be no problem" and granted the permit as soon as we delivered a sketch, noting a required revision on the returned document.
In both cases there were site inspections so there was no issue of non-compliance with codes. It's just that some people are easy to deal with and some not.
#9
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Given the nature of urban sprawl in the municipality in which I live, I'ce been tempted to say that planning laws are lax to to the point of non-existence. However, having recently gone through the process of obtaining planning permission and a permit to build an extension, like dbd33 I'd agree the process can be, errrm, quirky. (& so by default quirky across Canada given that he's in rural ON and I'm in NL). In our case, the town was massively hung up on the septic system and proving that it was adequately sized and situated. Septic is controlled by the provincial govt, so the town wanted the govt inspector to sign off on it all being up to snuff. Trouble is the govt doesn't keep records beyond 7 years so has no data to allow them to do that. So I was in the position of two levels of government pointing fingers at each other saying the other was the problem. It all got resolved in the end by me finding a septic layout drawing in a dusty folder from when we purchased the house, but had I not done that we'd still probably be talking about it.
When construction actually starts you then have two levels of inspection (here at least) municpal - basement, framing, insulation, final occupancy and provincial - electrical. Make sure you get copies of inspection reports and permits. (Mike Holmes 101). You'll need them when and if you come to sell.
When construction actually starts you then have two levels of inspection (here at least) municpal - basement, framing, insulation, final occupancy and provincial - electrical. Make sure you get copies of inspection reports and permits. (Mike Holmes 101). You'll need them when and if you come to sell.
#10
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
We applied for, and obtained, building permits for a couple of domestic projects: we added a floor to a house and, at a different location, built a barn. The experience was chalk and cheese.
At the first planning department we turned up with professional drawings that failed to take into account some recent variations in the window placement bylaws. That set off a tizzy and it was months later, after repeatedly submitting revisions, that the permit was granted.
At the second they were forthcoming about the requirements "up to 1200 sq ft, 50' from the boundary, should be no problem" and granted the permit as soon as we delivered a sketch, noting a required revision on the returned document.
In both cases there were site inspections so there was no issue of non-compliance with codes. It's just that some people are easy to deal with and some not.
At the first planning department we turned up with professional drawings that failed to take into account some recent variations in the window placement bylaws. That set off a tizzy and it was months later, after repeatedly submitting revisions, that the permit was granted.
At the second they were forthcoming about the requirements "up to 1200 sq ft, 50' from the boundary, should be no problem" and granted the permit as soon as we delivered a sketch, noting a required revision on the returned document.
In both cases there were site inspections so there was no issue of non-compliance with codes. It's just that some people are easy to deal with and some not.
Rural municipalities are usually quite easy to deal with especially if you're not 'from away'. The snow plough drivers opinions are listened to a lot there in terms of where new houses can be built and how long a cul-de-sac can be built and how much of a turnaround is required.
Urban municipalities and residents get all worked up, pearl clutching about the impacts of having a house 1 inch closer to the street than the accepted setback.
#11
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Given the nature of urban sprawl in the municipality in which I live, I'ce been tempted to say that planning laws are lax to to the point of non-existence. However, having recently gone through the process of obtaining planning permission and a permit to build an extension, like dbd33 I'd agree the process can be, errrm, quirky. (& so by default quirky across Canada given that he's in rural ON and I'm in NL). In our case, the town was massively hung up on the septic system and proving that it was adequately sized and situated. Septic is controlled by the provincial govt, so the town wanted the govt inspector to sign off on it all being up to snuff. Trouble is the govt doesn't keep records beyond 7 years so has no data to allow them to do that. So I was in the position of two levels of government pointing fingers at each other saying the other was the problem. It all got resolved in the end by me finding a septic layout drawing in a dusty folder from when we purchased the house, but had I not done that we'd still probably be talking about it.
When construction actually starts you then have two levels of inspection (here at least) municpal - basement, framing, insulation, final occupancy and provincial - electrical. Make sure you get copies of inspection reports and permits. (Mike Holmes 101). You'll need them when and if you come to sell.
When construction actually starts you then have two levels of inspection (here at least) municpal - basement, framing, insulation, final occupancy and provincial - electrical. Make sure you get copies of inspection reports and permits. (Mike Holmes 101). You'll need them when and if you come to sell.
There is a reason many homeowners and small builders hire consultants to deal with City Hall.
#12
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Urban and rural municipalities.?
Rural municipalities are usually quite easy to deal with especially if you're not 'from away'. The snow plough drivers opinions are listened to a lot there in terms of where new houses can be built and how long a cul-de-sac can be built and how much of a turnaround is required.
Urban municipalities and residents get all worked up, pearl clutching about the impacts of having a house 1 inch closer to the street than the accepted setback.
Rural municipalities are usually quite easy to deal with especially if you're not 'from away'. The snow plough drivers opinions are listened to a lot there in terms of where new houses can be built and how long a cul-de-sac can be built and how much of a turnaround is required.
Urban municipalities and residents get all worked up, pearl clutching about the impacts of having a house 1 inch closer to the street than the accepted setback.
#13
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
I swear no one bothers putting the cars away in the garage judging by the number of cars I see covered in overnight snow (and not cleared by the owner). But then again, the garages are now so small and probably filled with junk!
I suppose these estates have their place, but if you can, I would strongly recommend looking at either semi-rural or 'older' estates (60's and 70's and maybe 80's), when they were still building with sensible plots of land.
Rant over!
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,873
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
In Vancouver, you have to get permits even if you are only making internal changes that do not affect the footprint of the house.
Any electrical, plumbing or internal construction work has to be done by permit.
About 18 months ago, a friend renovated her 1 bedroom condo, ca 600 sq ft, employed a contractor who knew City Hall and what was needed. It still took him weeks to get the plans approved and permits granted.
The major changes were removing the wall between the kitchen and hall and kitchen and main room ...... ie making an open plan ........... and installing a large walk-in shower in the bathroom in place of the bath.
After work had started, another resident complained to City Hall, referencing "possible asbestos" and risk to other residents.
A 3 week stop in work until an engineer could get out to examine and ensure that there was no asbestos involved ............ he did suggest that the contractor move the plastic sheeting he had installed over the inside of the main door to the outside!
All new construction (mainly ensuring that no interior support walls had been removed), plumbing and electrical work had to be inspected and approved at varying stages.
Finally, an approval to inhabit had to be issued.
Poor friend was out of her condo for almost 3 months instead of the anticipated 6 weeks.
Any electrical, plumbing or internal construction work has to be done by permit.
About 18 months ago, a friend renovated her 1 bedroom condo, ca 600 sq ft, employed a contractor who knew City Hall and what was needed. It still took him weeks to get the plans approved and permits granted.
The major changes were removing the wall between the kitchen and hall and kitchen and main room ...... ie making an open plan ........... and installing a large walk-in shower in the bathroom in place of the bath.
After work had started, another resident complained to City Hall, referencing "possible asbestos" and risk to other residents.
A 3 week stop in work until an engineer could get out to examine and ensure that there was no asbestos involved ............ he did suggest that the contractor move the plastic sheeting he had installed over the inside of the main door to the outside!
All new construction (mainly ensuring that no interior support walls had been removed), plumbing and electrical work had to be inspected and approved at varying stages.
Finally, an approval to inhabit had to be issued.
Poor friend was out of her condo for almost 3 months instead of the anticipated 6 weeks.
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,873
Re: Planning permission equivalent in Canada?
Re rural areas ...............
we had a cabin in the north, it was semi-remote and came under the enarest "municipality" if permits were needed ......... that was about 60 km away.
If we did any reno that cost over $400, we had to get permits ............. the inspection would include such features as the type of sanitation, siding, etc.
If sanitation was other than the one currently accepted, then it had to be upgraded from sani-field, sani-box, etc
The guy who was replacing the "holey" roof with a metal one suggested that we extend the peak out over a sun porch that had a flat roof. He costed the extension at $390
This was the same authority who when asked why the annual tax assessment for said cabin had increased almost 4-fold in 1 year, replied that they had been unable to find a comparable property in the area had used a 40 acre property 100 km away.
Our property was 20 acres, not cultivated or used for logging etc although zoned (by them!) as "farm". The other was 40 acres, with more than 1 house on it. They wouldn't tell me the zoning!
In other words .......... you never quite know what hoops you will have to jump through, but it is always at the local level.
we had a cabin in the north, it was semi-remote and came under the enarest "municipality" if permits were needed ......... that was about 60 km away.
If we did any reno that cost over $400, we had to get permits ............. the inspection would include such features as the type of sanitation, siding, etc.
If sanitation was other than the one currently accepted, then it had to be upgraded from sani-field, sani-box, etc
The guy who was replacing the "holey" roof with a metal one suggested that we extend the peak out over a sun porch that had a flat roof. He costed the extension at $390
This was the same authority who when asked why the annual tax assessment for said cabin had increased almost 4-fold in 1 year, replied that they had been unable to find a comparable property in the area had used a 40 acre property 100 km away.
Our property was 20 acres, not cultivated or used for logging etc although zoned (by them!) as "farm". The other was 40 acres, with more than 1 house on it. They wouldn't tell me the zoning!
In other words .......... you never quite know what hoops you will have to jump through, but it is always at the local level.
Last edited by scilly; Mar 13th 2018 at 8:29 pm.