Building Permits

A building permit is your formal permission from the Township of Springwater to begin the work described in your approved plans. Building Services issues permits for:

New construction, additions or structural renovations (including pools, hot tubs and tents)
Change of use
Demolition
Septic and sewer systems

Building permits keep people safe. By getting a building permit and the required inspections, you can ensure that your project meets health and safety standards, the Ontario Building Code and other applicable law.

See our Building Guides

What projects need a building permit?

Typically, you will need a permit for:

New buildings over 10 square meters or 108 square feet (or under if they contain plumbing)
Additions and renovations
Demolition
Pools and hot tubs
Installation of mobile homes or park model trailers
Plumbing or septic systems
Solar collectors attached to a building that are larger than 5 square meters or 54 square feet

What projects do not need a building permit?

Non-structural projects that do not need a building permit include:

Replacing roof shingles, eavestroughs or siding
Installing air conditioning units or heat pumps to existing forced-air systems
Replacing kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
Replacing the existing furnace
Replacing windows of the same size
Painting and decorating
Landscaping where it does not affect grading

Who can get a building permit?

Property owners are responsible for getting a building permit for their project. Property owners can authorize a contractor or other person to apply on their behalf by providing a written letter of authorization with their permit application.

Application process

Prior to submission, ensure that you meet all necessary permissions and approvals. Submit a complete application with all the required forms, documents and applicable drawings.

Application forms

The form you need will depend on your project. Please review our help guides or speak to building staff to ensure that you submit what you need for your project.

Buildings

Building permit – to construct, alter or demolish a structure
Building code data matrix – to summarize project information for commercial, industrial or institutional-type projects
Commitment to general review – where engineers or architects must also review parts of the construction, in addition to municipal staff
Entrance permit – to install a new or change an existing driveway on a municipal road
Energy efficiency design summary – to show that your home meets energy efficiency standards under the Ontario Building Code
- Option 1: Prescriptive method
- Option 2: Performance and other acceptable compliance methods
Lot grade template – to prepare lot grading plans for review
- You can request a CAD version by contacting Building Services
Request for alternative solution – to request approval for an “alternative” construction, with supporting documents

Septic

Septic permit – to install, change or demolish a septic system (Excel version)

Pools, hot tubs and tents

Pool enclosure or hot tub
Temporary tent - use with the building permit application when applying to install a tent

Change of use

Change of building use – to change existing residential use to non-residential use
Change of septic use – when your project affects the performance of your septic system, e.g. adding additional bedrooms or bathrooms (Excel version)

Permit fees

Building fees depend on:

Your project's square footage and construction value
Our Building By-law, which includes Schedule C (fees updated annually)

Additional fees may apply depending on the nature and location of your project, such as entrance permit fees, development charges, water and sewer levies, lot grade deposits, or re-inspection fees. Check with building staff to determine which fees apply to your project.

Inspections

The type of inspections you need depend on your project. You will receive a list of required inspections when you pick up your building permit. See our inspections page for more information.

Tips and contacts

Ontario One Call locates any buried infrastructure on the property and will identify it safely for you, call 1-800-400-2255
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority regulates work in and near river streams, floodplains, wetlands, slopes and shorelines
Electrical Safety Authority handles electrical permits
Technical Standards and Safety Authority permits elevating devices, fuel facilities, boilers and pressure valves