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      Building Permits

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      View our Technical Bulletins to learn about topics related to the technical and administrative requirements of the Building Code, related standards, by-laws and processes.

      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

      Apply for a Building Permit Online

      All permit applications can now be submitted via our Web Portal. Before you begin, please ensure that all required documents are complete and signed (as applicable). Scan each document separately and give it a recognizable file name (e.g., Building Application, Pool Enclosure and Hot Tub Application, Septic Application, Drawings, Site Plan, etc.) and save them to your computer. Please note that an application form is required for all projects. Information collected via the portal allows your information to come into our system but does not replace an application form. 

      Please note that Planning and Zoning reviews cannot take place without an accurate site plan or lot grading plan (as applicable) and drawings showing all dimensions. 

      Only complete applications can be reviewed and approved for permit issuance. Review our Building Guides to ensure you have all of the required information for your residential building project before selecting “Submit”. If your application is incomplete, select “Save as draft”. This will save your work and allow you to complete your application at a later date through the link provided to you.

      Restrictive Covenants

      Restrictive covenants may be implemented by a developer of a given subdivision to maintain consistency among various properties in the neighbourhood, and therefore, they typically affect every lot in a subdivision. These form an agreement between the property owner and the developer, not the Township. These restrictions may extend beyond the Ontario Building Code, municipal zoning and building by-laws. For example, they may cover items such as types of cladding, fences, setbacks to property lines, building size or height. If you are uncertain as to whether this may apply to you, please contact your developer or lawyer to determine whether a restrictive covenant is in place prior to building permit submission to ensure compliance with any applicable covenants on your property.

      Access the Web Portal

      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.

      What if I need to add or make changes to a building permit application that has already been submitted?
      If your project changes after you have submitted your application, or you need to submit additional information, please email us with reference to your previous submission. Include the application number and address in the subject line of your email, and send it to building@springwater.ca, unless otherwise notified by Building Staff.

      Application Forms

      The form you need will depend on your project. Please review our Building Guides or speak to building staff to ensure that you submit what you need for your project. Completed applications, with all required forms, documents and applicable drawings, can be submitted through our Web Portal.

      Application Forms

      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 Policy
      • 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)

      Other

      • Letter of Authorization – authorize an agent to submit, amend and execute a building permit application on your behalf

      Permit Fees

      Building fees depend on:

      • Your project's square footage and construction value
      • Our Building By-law
      • Fees and Charges By-law  (fees updated annually) 
        • Schedule A
        • Schedule A.2

      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
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      2231 Nursery Road
      Minesing, ON L9X 1A8

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