Integrated Services - Building Division

1. When is a Permit Required?
2. The Building Permit Process
3. A Guide to Building Permits

   When Do I Need A Permit?
   How Do I Get A Permit?
   When Will I Get The Permit?
   What Do I Have To Do After I Get The Permit?

4. What can happen if I don't get a Permit?

To Find Out More Contact:

The City of Welland
Integrated Services
Building Division
60 East Main Street
Welland, Ontario
L3B 3X4

Telephone: (905) 735-1700
Fax: (905) 735-8772

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October 2011

When is a Permit Required?

• A Permit is required to construct a building, structure or septic system
• Construction can include anything in the erection, installation or extension or material alteration or repair of a building, structure or septic system
• Change of use of a building, structure or septic system
• Demolition of a building, structure or septic system
• Occupancy of unfinished building
• Transfer of permit

The following building projects require permits: 

New Buildings

-over 107 square feet (10 sq m) in area

Accessory Buildings

-over 107 square feet (10 sq m) in area (i.e. detached garages, tool sheds, etc.)

Plumbing

-alterations to, or new, plumbing systems
-installation, replacement or repair of private water services and private sewer laterals

Decks (Wood and other Materials)

- greater than 24" (600mm) above ground
- any deck serving as principal entrance to a building
- any roofed deck
- deck serving a swimming pool

Additions/Extensions

-to all existing buildings (i.e. sunrooms, porches, carports, garages, dormers, second storeys, additions to accessory buildings, etc.), even if the addition is less than 107 square feet

Renovations

-skylights, patio doors, rec. rooms, renovations to commercial/industrial, tenant renovations, etc.

Change of Use

-to a use with an increased hazard will require a permit, even though no construction is proposed (i.e. from office to retail)

Structural Alteration

-removing load bearing walls, beams or columns, repairing or reconstructing basement walls, foundations, floors, joists, under pinning, roof structures, etc.

Prefabricated Buildings

-over 107 square feet (10 sq m) in area (i.e. portable classrooms, kiosks, garages, tool sheds, patio roofs/enclosures, etc.)

Farm Buildings

-barns, sheds, greenhouses, silos, etc.

Mobile Homes

Fireplaces and Stoves

-wood stoves, solid fuel burning appliances, chimneys, etc.

Material Alterations

-alterations to, or new, fire separations (i.e. fire rated ceilings, walls or floors)
-alterations to, or new, exit facilities
-alterations to, or new, fire protection systems (i.e. fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipe and hose systems, etc.)
-alterations to, or new, weeping tile systems

HVAC

-(heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) alterations to, or new HVAC systems

Structures Designated by Building Code

Tents

-over 645 square feet (60 sq m) in area

Buildings Relocated or Moved

Sewage Systems

        -septic tanks, leaching beds, holding tanks

Signs

- permanent signs over 12.9 square feet (1.2m²) in area, or over 8.2 feet (2.5m) in height
- temporary signs over 64.5 square feet (6m²) in area, or over 8.2 feet (2.5m) in height

 

Notes:

The above list should not be considered all inclusive. There may be other situations which require a permit and if your project is not mentioned or you are not certain whether a permit is required, please contact your Building Division.

All buildings and structures are required to meet certain restrictions as to building locations as set out in the applicable Zoning By-law. These restrictions apply whether a Building Permit is required or not.

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The Building Permit Process

1. Before a decision on whether or not a Building Permit may be issued for a particular lot, a completed Building Permit Application must be received along with (2) complete sets of plans, fees and any other information required by the Building By-law.
2. Once received, the Application is reviewed for compliance with the Zoning By-law of the City of Welland, the Ontario Building Code (OBC), and any other applicable laws including Regional Government, Provincial Government and Federal Government.  In order to determine if a Permit can be issued, certain information from the Application may be required to be forwarded to any one of these levels of Government.
3. Other issues such as sewer and water servicing, OBC requirements (structure, soil, etc.), driveway entrances, City and Regional development charges, etc. must be resolved before a Permit could be issued.
4. In any case, while a statement that a Building Permit cannot be issued or appears not able to be issued can sometimes be made (when only limited information has been submitted), a statement that a Building Permit can be issued will never be made until a completed Application and complete drawings are submitted and all applicable laws have been met and a Permit has in fact been issued.  

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What Can Happen if I Don't Get a Permit?

Constructing or altering a structure without a Permit can result in numerous problems including:

• complaints from neighbours
• not conforming with the Building Code
• difficulty selling the property
• putting yourself and your family at potential risk
• putting yourself at liability should an injury occur to someone (visiting your property) as a result of a structure not conforming to the Building Code
• extra cost in having to reconstruct the structure according to the Zoning By-law and Building Code
• insurance protection nullification
• increased Permit fees (minimum $127.00 extra charge)
• possible demolition of structure
• possible ticket fine $400.00
• possible court fine maximum $50,000.00 first offence if convicted.

 

 

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60 East Main Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4   (905) 735-1700
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