Building permits
Find information on building permits requirements, costs, timelines, forms and documents, how to apply and the status of your building permits.
Effective May 12 2025, all permit applications must be submitted through our online portal. We will no longer accept applications via email.
On this page
- Process to get a building permit
- Permit types
- Projects that require a building permit
- Projects that don't require a building permit
- Apply for a building permit
- Timelines for my building permit
- Cost of building permits
- Contact the building department
Process to get a building permit
The entire process to getting a building permit is laid out below. Ensure you have checked with the required divisions and have all your documentation and forms before applying.
Before you start
- check the zoning requirements for your project location by using our interactive map or calling our zoning department at 519-747-8752
- check if you live near a flood zone by referring to the Grand River Conservation Authority
- locate any buried infrastructure on the property and identify it safely through Ontario One Call or 1-800-400-2255
- check to see if your property is within the water source protection area using the Region of Waterloo source water protection mapping tool
- view our heritage alterations page if you live in a heritage designated property to see if your property requires special heritage submission
Applying for a permit
- View the page specific to your project to find the correct documentation instructions and forms for the permit type you need.
- Gather the documentation and complete the forms required for your permit.
- Submit your permit. View the four ways you can submit your permit to the building department.
Permit approval process
- submitted applications enter a queue for first review
- you are notified in writing within 2 business days if there are missing items
- applications are incomplete until all outstanding items are submitted
- timelines begin when all outstanding items are submitted and permit fees are paid
- city staff review complete applications
- the plans examiner notifies the applicant by email of any deficiencies in the application
- if no changes are required or once all deficiencies are corrected, the permit will be issued
Permit types
Find information including required fees, timelines for permits, forms, drawings and documentation for all of our permit types.
- decks
- sheds and detached garages
- renovations, additions and basements
- multi-unit residential + non-residential
- demolitions
- solar panels
- tents
- stages and support structures
Projects that require a building permit
A building permit is required for the following projects (including but not limited to):
- deck or balcony greater than 24 inches above ground
- porch covering, gazebo or cabana that is greater than 10 sq m. or 108 sq ft.
- any structure that is attached to a house
- alterations to a structure (other than a shed, see exemption below) greater than 10 sq m. or 108 sq ft. in area or contains plumbing
- building a new home, an addition or a secondary unit
- multi-residential unit (four or more units) or non-residential units when constructing, modifying or renovating
- demolishing a building or part of building (including an interior demolition)
- renovations and basements when:
- finishing an unfinished space in a home
- adding or removing walls
- changing the insulation type or R-value
- structural changes
- addition or change to plumbing
- change of current use to the space
- creating a second unit in your home
- tents when they are over 60 sq m. including groups of tents
- solar panels when they are over 5 sq m. in area and provide a source of heat
- demountable stages and associated sound and lighting equipment towers
Projects that don't require a building permit
A building permit is NOT required for the following projects (including but not limited to):
- interior finishes such as new flooring, paint or decaling, cabinets and counter tops
- re-shingling a roof, provided existing shingles are removed
- replacing a plumbing fixture with the same type, in the same location
- decks less than 24" (600mm) from grade without a roof
- detached sheds 15 sq m. (161 sq ft.) in area or less, that are only one storey in building height, not attached to a building or any other structure, is used for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot and that does not contain plumbing
- replacing siding on a house, garage or accessory building
- installing an eavestrough system where drainage will not affect other properties
Fences and pool enclosures, paving and driveway widening projects do not require a building permit but are regulated under bylaws and enforcement.
Residential rental licenses are regulated under bylaws and enforcement.
Apply for a building permit
Before applying for your permit ensure that all necessary permissions, drawings, documents and approvals are met. Check the permit requirements and find the right form based on permit type.
You may be required to upload digital files (PDFs) during your applications.
Digital files must be:
- in PDF format and complete with a digital signature with BCIN declaration and/or an architect/engineer stamp as applicable
- submitted by email or by using a rewritable disk (DVD-RW or DVD+RW) or a USB memory stick
- extractable if compressed and not password protected
There are four ways to submit a building permit:
| 1. Online |
| You can submit complete applications or renewals using our building permit portal. Payment types accepted in the portal are credit card or debit. |
| 2. In person |
| You can apply in person by bringing digital copies of application forms, documents and drawings (depending on permit type) to the IPPW counter on the second floor of city hall.
|
| 3. Email |
| You can apply by email by sending digital forms and drawings to building@waterloo.ca (email attachment limit is 10MB total).
|
| 4. Mail |
| To apply by mail, send forms and drawings with a cheque payable to the City of Waterloo to:
City of Waterloo |
Timelines for my building permit
The processing timelines are outlined below. The provincially mandated timeframes are based on the date that the application is deemed complete.
10 business days
- permits for new, additions to and renovations to houses (including single detached, semi-detached and townhouses)
- permits for decks, sheds and detached garages serving houses
- permits for temporary tents
15 business days
- permits for new, additions to and renovations to a building three or fewer storeys in height and a building area not exceeding 600 sq m. that does not contain an assembly, care and detention or high hazard industrial occupancy
- permits for secondary dwelling units in houses
20 business days
- permits for new buildings, additions and renovations to buildings exceed three storeys and/or 600 sq m. in area
- permits for assembly, care and detention or high hazard industrial occupancies
30 business days
- a high rise building, buildings with interconnected floor space or post-disaster buildings
Cost of building permits
The fees for a building department will depend on your project. The cost will be determined once you have submitted your application forms.
- permit fees below are grouped by type
- be sure to reference the notes after the last table
- view all permit fees in Schedule C of the fees bylaw (PDF)
| Group A: Assembly | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Assembly building (finished) | $2.52 | — |
| Assembly building (shell only) | $2.20 | — |
| Interior finish (from shell) | $0.39 | — |
| Interior renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Outdoor patio | — | $197.00 |
| Outdoor public pool | — | $866.00 |
| Group B: Institutional | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Institutional building (finished) | $2.67 | — |
| Institutional building (shell only) | $2.36 | — |
| Interior finish (from shell) | $0.39 | — |
| Interior Renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Group C: Residential | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Single family detached, semi-detached, townhouse, duplex | $1.26 | — |
| Garage/carport (per bay) | — | $118.00 |
| Shed | — | $118.00 |
| Deck | — | $118.00 |
| Apartment building | $1.26 | — |
| Hotels/motels (or similar) | $2.12 | — |
| Residential care facility | $1.49 | — |
| Creation of a residential dwelling unit in an existing building (per unit) | — | $350.00 |
| Residential renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Finished basement (including renovation) *See note | — | $313.60 |
| Group D: Business and personal services | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Office buildings (finished) | $2.12 | — |
| Office buildings (shell only) | $1.81 | — |
| Interior finish (from shell) | $0.39 | — |
| Interior renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Group E: Mercantile | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Retail stores (finished) | $1.49 | — |
| Retail stores (shell only) | $1.18 | — |
| Interior finish (from shell) | $0.39 | — |
| Interior renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Group F: Industrial | Permit fee per sq. ft. |
Flat fee |
| Warehouse, factories (finished) | $0.87 | — |
| Warehouse, factories (shell only) | $0.71 | — |
| Interior finish (from shell) | $0.39 | — |
| Interior renovation (interior demolition and renovation) | $0.55 | — |
| Parking garage | $0.79 | — |
| Special categories | Permit fee per sq. ft. | Flat fee |
| Alternative solution (house scope) | — | $281.00 |
| Alternative solution (part 9 scope) | — | $702.00 |
| Alternative solution (part 3 scope) | — | $2108.00 |
| Special Permit I: construction commenced prior to the issuance of a building permit |
Find notes below this table | |
| Special Permit II: after the fact accessory building permit (including decks, sheds, and any other accessory building) |
— | $315.00 |
| Exterior work (independent of a building permit, including retaining walls, exterior wall modifications and any other accessory work) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Heritage exterior work | — | $158.00 |
| Farm building | $0.39 | — |
| Foundation only | $0.08 | — |
| Conditional permit (sq. ft. and flat fee both apply) |
Find notes below this table | |
| Minor alterations (includes beam installations, basement walkout stairs, etc.) | — | $118.00 |
| Air supported structures | $0.47 | — |
| Temporary tents (or group of tents) | — | $197.00 |
| Portables on one site (excludes port-a-pak) | — | $157.00 |
| Demolitions (less than 10,000 sq. ft.) | — | $118.00 |
| Demolitions (10,000 to 20,000 sq. ft.) | — | $315.00 |
| Demolitions (greater than 20,000 sq. ft.) | — | $422.00 |
| Interior demolitions (back to shell) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Change of use | — | $118.00 |
| Miscellaneous work (includes fire restoration and any other work not categorized elsewhere) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Mechanical work (independent of a building permit) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Sprinkler systems (commercial kitchen, spray booth, dust collectors) | — | $157.00 |
| Electrical work (independent of a building permit, including adding magnetic locks, fire alarm upgrades and any other electrical work) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Plumbing work (independent of a building permit, including adding, removing or relocating plumbing fixtures) | — | 1% of construction cost |
| Septic systems (new) | $630.00 | |
| Septic systems (repair) | $197.00 | |
| Solar panels connected to only electrical (small buildings) | — | $118.00 |
| Solar panels connected to water or heating (small buildings) | — | $236.00 |
| Solar panels (large buildings) | — | $393.00 |
| Site service | — | $118.00 |
Notes about permits
Special Permit I
We will double the permit fee if construction starts before a permit is issued:
-
if this amount exceeds $5,000, the penalty will incrementally decrease from 100% of the original permit fee to 15% of the original permit fee
-
the incremental decrease will only apply if the original permit fee amount is between $5,000 and $67,000
-
permit fees over $67,000 will pay 15%
Conditional permits
We will charge a fee of $472.00 plus $0.08/sq. ft. of the area for a conditional permit. You must submit an additional deposit in the form of a certified cheque or letter of credit to the Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official will determine the amount of the deposit.
Shell permits
Shell permits include mechanical and electrical rough-ins.
Foundation permits
Foundation permits limit work to footings and foundation walls and the installation of underground plumbing, water supply piping and sewers to property line.
Occupancy Permit
If the Ontario Building Code requires an occupancy permit, the original permit fee will include it. You can request an additional copy of the occupancy permit for $70.
Finished basement fees
The finished basement fee does not include the creation of a new unit.
Transfer of permit
You must pay the minimum fee if ownership of a property changes and the permit is transferred.
Revision to examined plans
If the original building permit fee is more than $235, we will charge a fee for the examination of revised plans. The fee will be $0.01/sq. ft. of the revised floor area or $235, whichever is greater.
Affordable housing development
The city may offer a grant to cover or offset building permit fees, as approved by council (until the city's Affordable Housing Grant policy, currently under development, comes into effect).
Minimum Fee
We charge a minimum fee of $118 for any permit application.
Additional Inspections
We may charge a fee of $235 for additional inspections if the inspection is not ready on a second attempt.
Engineering review cost recovery
If the Chief Building Official (CBO) decides a third-party review is needed for Part 4 designs from a designer, the designer will need to pay the full cost of that review. This is on top of the regular building permit fees.
Contact the Building Department
Call 519-747-8712 or email building@waterloo.ca to book an appointment.