Permits

bids and tenders

permit application getting stamped for approval

Building permits are required for your safety and the safety of those around you, ensuring your construction project is protected from structural failure, fire hazards from electrical and heating systems, and other health risks. They also provide a permanent record of the work performed and all inspections conducted to ensure the project is sound and safe. Ontario's Building Code Matters.

Building Permit Applications

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Building Permit Process

A Building Permit is your formal permission to begin construction, demolition, addition or renovation on your property.

As part of the building permit process, staff must review your plans to ensure they comply with the Ontario Building Code, local Zoning Bylaw, and other Applicable Law.

Once your permit is issued site inspections must be performed by a City building official to ensure construction is completed in accordance with the approved plans and code requirements.

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that a building permit is obtained when required. You may authorize your contractor or designer to apply for the permit but as the owner you must ensure that they have the permit prior to starting any work.

Before starting a new construction project, either indoors or outdoors, you must determine whether you need a building permit.

Some typical projects requiring a building permit include:

A building permit is not required for a detached accessory structure that measures 15 square metres (161 square feet) in area or less, not more than 1 storey in building height, used for storage only and does not contain plumbing. Although a building permit may not be required, you must still meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law and Ontario Building Code.

Some typical projects that don’t require a building permit include:

Construction near trees

A Private Tree Removal Permit is required to remove, cut down or in any other way injure a tree with a diameter of 20 cm (8 inches) or more on private property.

If trees will be removed as a result of your construction project you must:

Applications and forms

Residential housing permit requirements

All submitted drawings must be prepared by either the owner, or prepared and reviewed by a qualified designer, architect, professional engineer or a combination.

Some drawings must be designed by a professional engineer when the design falls outside of the prescriptive requirements of the Building Code.

The Building Code requires qualified, registered designers, who review and take responsibility for design activities, to include the following information on documents submitted for permit:

All drawings must be fully dimensioned, drawn at minimum 3/16"= 1'-0"; and note all sizes and types of construction materials to be used and their respective locations, finishes to all walls, ceilings and floors and all existing and proposed fire separations.

Multi-unit residential and non-residential (ICI) permit requirements

All submitted drawings must be prepared by either the owner, or prepared and reviewed by a qualified designer, architect*, professional engineer* or a combination.

*Some projects must be designed and or reviewed by an architect and/or a professional engineer. If so, they must complete the appropriate Commitment Form. You must submit the completed form with your permit application.

The Building Code requires qualified, registered designers, who review and take responsibility for design activities, to include the following information on documents submitted for permit:

The following documents must be included in your building-permit application package:

All drawings must:

The Building Division may need additional information to process your building permit.

The Cross Connection Control Program is in place to ensure the safety of our water supply through backflow prevention.

The City of Cambridge Water Use By-law #146-03 requires that all buildings (except some residential properties) be equipped with backflow prevention devices. These devices need to be maintained and tested regularly by a certified backflow prevention device tester licensed by the City of Cambridge.

Backflow means a flowing back or reversal of the normal direction of water flow.

The water supply system is normally pressurized to make sure water flows into your building or plumbing system, but there are times that pressure may be reduced.

If the pressure drops enough that the flow of water reverses, unwanted substances could flow backwards and contaminate the public water supply.

A cross-connection is any connection, whether permanent or not, between the public potable water system and a possible source of contamination.

Some examples of cross-connections are fire sprinkler and irrigation systems, or plumbing connections to equipment that uses water, such as beverage machines, dental chairs and dialysis equipment.

The by-law mandates that every building, except for some residential buildings must be equipped with backflow prevention devices. Failure to install and maintain these devices could result in having your water shut off, and/or a fine.

Depending on the location of your construction project, you may also need approval from the:

Building Bulletins