Building Permits

Building permits are required for all new single-family dwellings.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) Form
• Site Plan (if located within a subdivision) OR a Grading Plan if located outside of a subdivision. Please note, a grading plan shall bear the signature and seal of an Ontario Land Surveyor. A site grading plan shows the location of the proposed house and the proposed grading of the site along with the proposed setbacks.
• Construction Plans including structural and architectural details.
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as entrance and setback permits will be required through their office.
• If required, a new septic system should be applied for separately through Cloudpermit.

Building permits are required for all additions to residential buildings and most renovations.  Renovations such as a finished basement require building permits.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) Form if applicable
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed addition, including setbacks to property lines and septic system (if applicable)
• Construction Plans
• Septic System Report (If Applicable)
• If required, a new septic system should be applied for separately through Cloudpermit.
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as a setback permit may be required through their office.

All sewage systems require building permits for both new installations and repairs or replacement of existing systems.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Schedule 2 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed septic system, including setbacks to property lines and all existing structures on the property
• Septic Calculation Report
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.

Building permits are required for all accessory buildings (greater than 15 square metres) such as sheds, pool houses and detached garages.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines and septic system (if applicable)
• Construction Plans including details pertaining to footing, framing, posts, beams, rafters, floor joists and building height.
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as a setback permit may be required through their office.

Building permits are required for all accessory buildings (greater than 15 square metres) such as sheds, pool houses and detached garages.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

  The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed deck, including setbacks to property lines, wells, buildings and natural areas. See sample for required information: deck permit sample drawings.
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.

Building permits are required for all swimming pools which are capable of holding more than 24” of water.

Forms and documents you will need at time of submission.

• Application through Cloudpermit.

The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Grading Plan - Include setbacks from edge of concrete apron around pool to property line, location of pool equipment and setback to property line and grade shots.

Building permits are required for all fence installation.

Forms and documents you will need at time of submission.

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Site Plan indicating location of fence on property
• Fence sketch (section of fence to indicate height and proposed materials)

New and expanding livestock buildings and manure storages must comply with the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formula provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Prior to issuance of a building permit for a new or expanding operation or manure storage system, a letter of approval will be required from OMAFRA. Please contact OMAFRA for further information in this regard.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines and septic system (if applicable)
• Construction drawings (designed by a professional engineer for buildings greater than 600 square metres and all manure storages) & truss drawings (stamped by a professional engineer)
• Letter of approval from OMAFRA
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as a setback permit may be required through their office.

Building Permits are required for all farm buildings such as grain bins, silos and drive sheds.

Forms, documents, and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

 The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines and septic system (if applicable)
• Construction drawings (designed by a professional engineer for buildings greater than 600 square metres and all manure storages) & truss drawings (stamped by a professional engineer)
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as a setback permit may be required through their office.

Forms, Documents and Approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

The following are required documents you will need to attach to your Cloudpermit application:

• Schedule 1 Form
• Site Plan indicating the location of proposed sign, including setbacks to property lines.
• Construction drawings
• Approval from the Conservation Authority if your property is located within either the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) or Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) regulated areas.
• If you are located on a County Road, please consult the County of Essex as a setback permit may be required through their office.

Demolition permits are required prior to the demolition of any building with the exception of farm buildings.

Forms, documents and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

Prior to demolition, please ensure the following:

• Obtain Demolition Permit
• Disconnect all services (hydro, gas, telephone, cable, water, water etc.)  Please note - demolition permit cannot be issued without gas sign off.
• Return water meter to Lakeshore Operations Centre
• Upon completion of demolition, owners are responsible to contact Building Services for inspection and the Revenue Division to request reassessment.  Here is a link to the Tax Re-assessment Request Form.
• Site must be leveled and graded upon completion of demolition.

Tent permits are required prior to the installation of any tent larger than 60 m² in area.

Forms, documents and approvals you will need at time of submission:

• Application through Cloudpermit.

Tents less than 60 m² in area

• Building Permit is not required.
• Please contact Lakeshore Fire Department for information about Ontario Fire Regulations.

Tents between 61 m² and 225 m² in area

• Must maintain 3m to property lines and other structures.
• Ground enclosed by tent must be clear of flammable material (grass cut short is acceptable).
• Access must be provided for firefighting (must be easily approachable by emergency personnel).

The following documents are required at time permit application is submitted:

• Permit Application
• Authorization Form signed by the homeowner
• Copy of flame resistance certification required – must state compliance with either NFPA 701 or CAN/ULC-S109
• On site plan, it must indicate setback from property line and other structures
• Please contact Lakeshore Fire Department for information about Ontario Fire Regulations.

Tents greater than 225m² in area

• Please contact Lakeshore Fire Department for information about Ontario Fire Regulations.
• All requirements for tents 61 m² – 225 m² apply, as well as the following:
  • Professional Engineer must design the supporting framing structure and anchorage system, sign a commitment to review form and inspect the tent after it is erected, but before it is put in use.
  • Copy of engineer’s report is to be submitted along with application
  • Sanitary facilities must be provided in compliance with the Ontario Building Code
  • Please note - if a fire inspection is required, an inspection fee will be added to your building permit.