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Some Haldimand County facilities are temporarily closed due to flooding. Full details.
Under the Ontario Building Code Act, you must obtain a permit to construct, demolish, renovate, or alter a building. Construction cannot begin until you have been issued a permit.
Planning construction work? Be sure to check the zoning for your project location.
Permit applications can be submitted by the property owner or by an agent on behalf of the property owner, such as a contractor or designer. Note that the Owners Authorization form (PDF) is required when a contractor or designer is applying for the Building Permit.
After you've completed all required forms and documents, submit your application through our online portal. Once you've started your application, you can save it at any time and finish your submission within 30 days. After 30 days, your incomplete application will be deleted and you must begin the process again.
Once registered on the portal, you will be able to apply, upload documents, pay fees, check your permit's status and request inspections.
If you require help at any time during the building permit process, contact staff in our Building division for assistance.
Our Building Officials inspect the construction of structures and buildings in Haldimand County to ensure the health and safety of our community. If you are planning a construction project, be sure to confirm if you need a building permit.
If you can’t find your project listed and are unsure if a permit is required, contact a Building Inspector for guidance.
These categories correspond with the application types you will use to apply for on our portal site.
A building permit is required for an accessory building/structure used only for purposes ancillary to a principal dwelling on the lot. Examples include a shed, gazebo, pergola, cabana, carport, garage, greenhouse, solarium, or other similar-type structures, provided the building/structure:
Please note any building that contains plumbing requires a permit.
Alterations and additions include:
A deck/porch structure that features any of the following:
Be sure to check on height restrictions in the Zoning By-law for your area. Setbacks must comply with Zoning By-law (even if no permit is required).
This applies to the demolition of buildings greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet) in building area
A permit is not required for the demolition of a farm building located on a farm.
Note:
A Professional Engineer is required to undertake the commitment to general review of the project during demolition only, where a building is:
Applies to foundations being repaired (structural damage, cracking, bowing, changing foundation material), applying drainage and damp proofing/waterproofing, and when lifting an existing building to add a foundation.
Refer to our Swimming Pool Enclosure By-law for more information.
New construction consists of the construction of any:
A building permit is required when creating an additional dwelling that is:
Please see section 4.55 of our Zoning by-law for the permitted size, parking requirements and zoning provisions applicable to secondary suites.
A septic system permit is required for any new septic system installations, alterations or upgrading of existing systems and repairs.
All signs, other than those exempt under the sign by-law, require a building permit. Please reference our Sign By-law for more information.
A building permit is required for solar panels in accordance with the Ontario Building Code Division A 1.3.1.1.(1)(f) when the panel is mounted on a building and has a face area equal to or greater than 5 square metres. A permit is also required any time the solar panel is connected to a plumbing or mechanical system.
Cargo containers, also known as shipping or sea containers, also require a permit where they exceed 15 square metres (161 square feet).
These types of accessory structures are not permitted in residential zones. Where permitted, cargo containers can only be located in the rear yard and must comply with the rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings.
Cargo containers that are under 15 square metres and do not require a permit must also comply with the zoning provisions. Please confirm with the Building Division if you are permitted to have a storage container on your property. These permits are applied for under Accessory Structures.
Applies to:
Learn more about the tent permitting process (PDF)
Temporary Structures/Demountable Stages and Support Structures
A demountable stage requires a building permit when:
A demountable structure requires a building permit when:
A building permit is required when the addition, repair, or alteration of a water and/or sanitary service is connected to a municipal service from the property line to the building that is being serviced.
Although a project may not require a permit, you must still comply with the appropriate Zoning By-law requirements (setback distances, height limitations, etc.).
Projects that don't require a permit
Although a permit may not be required for these projects, before any construction, we encourage you to contact a Building Inspector for more information on zoning requirements.
Building permit fees depend on the floor area, scope of work and the type of building being constructed or altered. A Building Inspector will calculate your applicable fee(s) after an initial review of your application.
Depending on your project, there may also be additional fees such as development charges or deposits you need to pay before your permit is issued.
Additional fees may apply should construction begin without a permit.
There are three ways you can pay your permit fees:
If you submitted your application through the online portal, you can also pay your fees through your portal account.
Credit card and VISA debit payments are accepted.
Note: Development Charges can also be paid online, subject to a 2.5% fee. Online payments are limited to a maximum charge of $100,000 per single transaction.
You can pay in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building, 2nd Floor, 53 Thorburn Street South.
Debit, credit card and cheque payments are accepted.
For all mail or drop-off payments, please ensure the building permit pending application number is included.
You can mail a cheque payable to Haldimand County to:
53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, ON
N0A 1E0
Or drop a cheque off at the drop box on the side of the building off Chippewa Street.
As part of your permit application, you'll be required to include any applicable forms, drawings and documents required for your project.
Required forms will be shown as submittal items in your portal account. Any additional forms or drawings needed for clarity will be requested by the building inspector upon review.
Commonly required forms, drawings and plans
For additional direction and help with forms and documents, contact a Building Inspector.
The timeline for processing a building permit will vary based on:
In general, once an application is determined to be complete, the following processing timeframes apply according to the nature of the project.
Typically processed within 10 working days
Typically processed within 15 working days
Typically processed within 20 working days
Typically processed within 30 working days
Application review times are subject to change depending on request volumes, complexity, staff availability and resubmissions.
Inspections must be arranged for all projects requiring a permit. Many projects require multiple inspections throughout construction. Learn more about building inspections.
Depending on the type of project you’re working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your building permit can be issued.
You may also need to be in contact with multiple departments, authorities, agencies, organizations and associations throughout your project.
Find common additional approvals and frequently required contacts below.
Additional approvals that may be required
If you require approval from any additional agencies, you must obtain approval before submitting your application.
Common additional approvals include:
Additional contacts you might need
Conservation authorities
Government agencies
Organizations and associations
Other County departments
Utilities
Contact Us
Building
53 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, Ontario
Canada, N0A 1E0
Email the Building Division
Email Building Inspections
Phone: 905-318-5932, ext. 8300
