Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
Township of Springwater Logo
Contact Us
  • Living Here
    View our Building Permits page

    Building Permits

    Animal Services
    Cemeteries
    Community Broadband
    Community Safety and Well-Being
    Environment
    Fire and Emergency Services
    Garbage and Recycling
    Grants and Assistance Programs
    Healthcare
    Home and Property
    Library
    Maps
    Roads and Sidewalks
    Schools
    Social Services
    Transit
    Water and Sewer
    Winter Maintenance
  • Recreation and Culture

    Recreation Programs

    Arena
    Camps
    Community Garden
    Community Recreation Associations
    Conservation Areas
    Culture
    Event Calendar
    Facility Rentals
    History and Heritage
    Holiday Events
    Outdoor Rinks
    Parks and Facilities
    Recreation Programs
    Splash Pad
    Sport Groups and Associations
    Sports Fields
    Trails
    Volunteering
  • Business and Development
    View our Community Improvement Plan page

    Community Improvement Plan

    Bids and Tenders
    Business Directory
    Business Grants and Incentives
    Business Resources and Partners
    Capital Projects
    Commercial and Industrial Hubs
    Community Profile
    Current Development
    Development Charges
    Economic Development
    Farming and Agriculture
    Hasty Tract
    Official Plan
    Property Taxes
    Planning and Development
  • Township Hall

    My Springwater

    Accessibility
    Agendas and Minutes
    Applications, Licences and Permits
    Bids and Tenders
    Budget and Finance
    By-Laws and Enforcement
    Careers
    Claims
    Commissioning
    Committees and Boards
    Community Based Strategic Plan
    Contact Us
    Customer Service Standards
    Elections
    Freedom of Information
    Have Your Say
    Integrity Commissioner
    Mayor and Council
    Newsroom
    View More...
I Want To...
  • ApplyView More +
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Building Permits
    • Business Licence
    • Careers
    • Dog Licence
  • PayView More +
    • Municipal Taxes
    • Parking Ticket
    • Recreation Program
    • Water and Wastewater Bill
  • Report a Concern
    • Submit a Claim

      Man flipping through building plans at construction site

      Building Guides

      HomeHome and PropertyBuilding and RenovatingBuilding Guides
      • Open new window to share this page via FacebookFacebook
      • Open new window to share this page via LinkedInLinkedIn
      • Open new window to share this page via TwitterTwitter
      • Email This page Email

      More in this Section...

      • Home and Property
        • Building and Renovating
          • Building Guides
          • Building Permits and Applications
          • Development Charges
          • Fences
          • Inspections
          • Technical Bulletins
        • Property Taxes
        • Zoning
        • Water and Sewer
      • View Full Living Here Menu
        • Animal Services
          • Kennel Licensing
          • Livestock Claims
        • Cemeteries
        • Community Broadband
        • Community Safety and Well-Being
        • Environment
          • Spongy Moth (LDD Moth)
        • Fire and Emergency Services
          • Burn Permits and Rating
          • Emergency Preparedness
          • Fire Recruitment
          • Firefighter Training
          • Prevention and Safety
          • Policing
        • Garbage and Recycling
        • Grants and Assistance Programs
        • Healthcare
        • Library
        • Maps
        • Roads and Sidewalks
          • Closures and Construction
          • Drainage and Ditches
            • Swaley Drain Project
          • Parking
          • Winter Maintenance
        • Schools
        • Social Services
        • Transit
        • Water and Sewer
          • Inflow and Infiltration
          • Sewer
          • Source Water Protection
          • Water Conservation
          • Water Meter Replacement
          • Water Quality and Testing
          • Watering Restrictions
        • Winter Maintenance

      The Township of Springwater has building guides to help you submit a complete application for your project type. They also help you understand planning, building and inspection processes.

      Project Guides

      Please remember that these guides are intended to help you through the building permit process. They are not intended to be used instead of current municipal by-laws or the Ontario Building Code.

      General Guides

       Building FAQs 
      Our Building FAQs Guide answers frequently asked questions about construction and the building permit process.
       Building permits
      Our Building Permits Guide will answer your who, what, when, where and why questions about the building permit process. 
      Building permits in campgrounds
      Our Building Permits in Campgrounds Guide will answer your who, what, when, where and why questions about construction within campgrounds.

      Buildings

      Building a house
      Be sure to talk to planning staff before applying for a building permit to identify any limits that might apply to the property (e.g. zoning, setbacks, and size and height restrictions). After planning consultation, our Building a House Guide will give you checklists for what documentation you need to apply and other information to help you through the process. 

      Building an Additional Residential Unit

      If you are planning to add an additional residential unit to your home or property, our Additional Residential Unit Guide will help you get ready to submit your building permit application.

      Constructing a small building

      Small buildings are called “accessory buildings” because they work with your existing home and property. Garden sheds, gazebos, garages, workshops and pool sheds are accessory buildings. Our Accessory Building Guide will give you a checklist of what you need, sample drawings and sample site plan to help you through the permit process.

      Installing a fireplace

      If you're planning to add/replace a chimney or install a new wood stove, pellet stove or other solid fuel burning appliance in your home, our Fireplace Guide will help you get ready to submit your permit application.

      Demolitions

      With very few exceptions, demolishing a structure requires a building permit. Please see our Demolition Guide for a list of documents you will need to submit and details about the permit process.

      Renovations and Additions

      Finishing a basement

      Finishing your basement can provide additional living space for your home. See our Finishing a Basement Guide for a checklist of what you need to submit a permit, general information and sample drawings.

      Building an addition

      Building an addition to your home means that you are changing the footprint (i.e. the amount of space your house covers on your property). Your first step is to talk to planning staff to determine:

      • How big your addition can be
      • What, if any, height limits apply
      • What setbacks need to be maintained (e.g. the distance between your addition and your property lines or other structures on your property)

      After planning consultation, our Building an Addition Guide will give you checklists for what documentation you need to apply and other information about the permit process.

      Septic

      Installing a septic system

      We recommend that you hire a qualified septic designer to design a septic system that will fully support the structure you are building or to replace a failing septic system. Our Septic System Guide will give you a document checklist and provide you with general information about the permit process for this project. 

      Changing a septic system's use

      A change in your septic system's use affects its overall performance. Changes may include:

      • Adding bedrooms or living space to your home
      • Adding more bathrooms or plumbing fixtures
      • Major change in occupancy (e.g. moving from residential to commercial)

      View our Septic Change of Use Guide for details on the permit process.

      Decks, Pools and Hot Tubs

      Building a deck

      Generally, there are two ways to construct a deck:

      1. Attach the deck to your home
      2. Do not attach the deck to your home

      Our Deck or Porch Guide will give you a checklist, sample site plans and sample drawings for both projects to help you through the permit process.

      Installing a pool and hot tub

      Whether you choose an in-ground pool, above-ground pool or hot tub, our Pool Guide or Hot Tub Guide will give you a checklist, sample site plans and other information you will need to help you through the permit process. Please refer to our Pool Policy for further details.

      Sheds and Gazebos

      Building a shed or gazebo
      Whether you are installing a small or large structure on your property, there are certain requirements that must be followed. View our Sheds and Gazebos Overview to learn what you will need to keep in mind when preparing your plans.

      Tents

      Using a temporary tent

      Tents are often used to celebrate special outdoor events (e.g. weddings, family get-togethers and neighbourhood barbeques). To ensure the safety of people attending the event, we need information about the tent, the property and the event itself before issuing a permit. Our Tent Guide will give you checklists for what information you need to apply and other details about the permit process.

      page subscription iconSubscribe to this Page

      Contact Us

      Footer Logo

      © 2019 Township of Springwater
      2231 Nursery Road
      Minesing, ON L9X 1A8

      Living HereRecreation and CultureBusiness and DevelopmentTownship Hall
      Contact Information

      Phone: 705-728-4784
      After Hours Phone: 1-800-489-8956
      General Fax: 705-728-6957
      Finance Fax: 705-728-2759
      Email Us

      Hours of Operation

      Monday to Friday
      8:30 am to 5:30 pm
      Closed on statutory holidays

      Follow Us
      View our Twitter PageTwitter View our Facebook PageFacebook View our Instagram PageInstagram View our YouTube PageYouTube
      A to Z ServicesSitemapAccessibilityPrivacy StatementWebsite FeedbackReport a ConcernContact Us