What projects require a building permit?

The following is a list of typical projects that require a building permit:

• New homes
• Additions
• Decks greater than 24” above grade
• New fireplaces
• Completion of roughed-in fireplaces
• Porches
• Sunrooms
• Finished Basements
• Carports
• Garages (attached or detached)
• Dormers
• Plumbing and/or drains
• New, replacement or repair of private sewage systems
• Structural alterations (i.e., adding windows or doors)
• Adding or removing walls
• Basement or main floor walkouts
• Accessory apartments
• Change of use

For all other questions about building permits or additional building permits, please contact us.

What to include with your application

Along with a complete application, you'll need to submit:

• Appropriate fee
• A Letter of Authorization (if your not the property owner)
• A Commitment to General Review by Architects and Engineers (if applicable)

Drawings

You will need to include two (2) copies of the OBC compliant drawings for residential projects or three (3) copies of the OBC compliant drawings for all non-residential projects, which may include the following:

• Architectural
• Structural (if applicable)
• Mechanical (if applicable)
• Electrical (if applicable)

If you are not sure what type of drawings to submit with the building permit application, please contact us. If you do not submit the proper drawings this can delay the entire approval process.

Fees

Depending on the nature of your project, please review the building permit fees for a complete list of fees. We accept payment by cheque, cash or debit. Please make all cheques payable to the Town of Whitby.

Please contact us should you require further information.

Available online building permits

If you would like to apply for any of the available online building permit (see list below), please fill out the Building Permit Application.

The following permit types can be submitted electronically for pre-screening:

• Signs
• Demolition
• Residential decks (Part 9)
• Residential finished basements (Part 9)
• Residential alterations/additions (Part 9)
• Accessory apartments
• Accessory structures
• Partial Occupancy (Part 3),

Before submitting your application please refer to our Electronic Building Permit Submission Standards, which will explain how to prepare your digital drawings.

If you are not the property owner, you will need to submit a Letter of Authorization Form.

Building Permit Application Options

Option 1 (Email Pre-screening Submission)

Drawings, application and forms may be submitted via email.  Email all documents to buildingpermits@whitby.ca   Refer to the Electronic Building Permit Submissions Standards for instructions on the email submission process.  Where the pre-screening submission is deemed acceptable, the instructions on the next steps along with the credit card payment option will be forwarded to the applicant.

Option 2 (Paper Pre-screening Submission)

Drawings, application and forms may be submitted in person for pre-screening.  Please visit:

Town of Whitby – Building Services Division    
3050 Garden St. Unit 102
Whitby, ON
L1R 2G7       

Where the pre-screening submission is deemed acceptable, the payment can be made by cheque, cash or debit.