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  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
  • 905-845-6601
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Step 1 of 3: Determine if you Need a Building Permit

Most renovation, construction or demolition projects require a building permit. You need a permit to make sure your project complies with the requirements in the Ontario Building Code, the Town of Oakville Zoning By-law and any other approvals you may need.

You will need to meet zoning regulations even if your project doesn’t require a building permit.

Please remember it is illegal to start construction before receiving a building permit. Find out more about the Province of Ontario's Building code on the Building Code Updates page. The Ontario Building Officials Association have also published a Guide to the Building Code Amendments (pdf).

Projects that need a permit

A permit is required prior to building, renovating, demolishing or installing any of the following:

  • Accessory structure like a shed, cabana or gazebo greater than 15 square metres, or any size if it contains plumbing
  • Any building or structure which is greater than 10 square metres or any size building that contains plumbing including accessory structures that are greater than 15 square metres
  • Addition to an existing building
  • Backflow preventer/backwater valver
  • Balcony – either constructing one on a house, apartment or condo, or replacing or repairing guards on an apartment or condo
  • Basement including:
    • Finishing a basement to create rooms or living space
    • Basement apartment (also known as second unit)
    • Excavating to increase existing headroom
  • Below grade entrance or basement walkout
  • Building or structure greater than 10 square metres, or any size that contains plumbing
  • Change the use of a building
  • Communication or transmission tower or antenna greater than 16.6 metres high above ground level
  • Deck greater than 0.61 metres (two feet) in height and is attached to a building
  • Doors – either adding a new door or increasing the size of an existing one
  • Dormers
  • Dust collector 
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire damage repair
  • Fire suppression system
  • Furnace ducts being altered
  • Garage - attached or detached
  • Gas fireplace used for heating
  • Generator connected to life safety equipment like fire alarms or emergency lighting
  • Geothermal system
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
  • Interior alterations
  • Kitchen exhaust
  • Loading dock
  • Maglocks
  • Mezzanine
  • Parking structure, like a multi-level parking lot
  • Patio for a restaurant
  • Plumbing fixture like a sink, tub, toilet, or shower that’s added, removed or relocated
  • Plumbing drainage – install, replace or repair
  • Pool - requires a development engineering permit
  • Porch that’s covered
  • Private sewage system – install, replace or repair
  • Re-cladding a building with new material, for example changing siding to brick
  • Roof extensions or alterations to increase the height or change the slope
  • Rooftop HVAC replacements
  • Satellite dish attached to a building, or a dish with an area equal to or greater than 5 square metres
  • Second unit, also called a basement apartment
  • Sewer systems, including sceptic system – install, repair or replace
  • Shoring and excavation
  • Site servicing
  • Skylights
  • Solar panels
  • Spray booths
  • Sprinklers
  • Sump pump on a property in the Foundation Drainage Collection (FDC) System area
  • Temporary tents greater than 60 square metres
  • Underpinning foundation walls
  • Weeping tile repairs or changes on a property in the Foundation Drainage Collection (FDC) System area
  • Windows – either new or increasing the size of an existing window
  • Wood burning fireplace

If you’re not sure whether you need a permit for your specific project, email service@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601.

Projects that don’t need a permit

  • Accessory structure like a shed, cabana or gazebo less than 15 square metres that does not contain plumbing
  • Cabinetry or cupboards
  • Concrete pad
  • Damp-proof a basement
  • Deck less than 0.61 mm (two feet) in height and not attached to a building
  • Decorations
  • Doors – replacing an existing one with the same size
  • Driveway – either widening or resurfacing
  • Eavestrough, if the drainage is contained within the property
  • Fence
  • Fireplace that’s decorative gas
  • Landscaping work
  • Minor masonry repairs
  • Painting
  • Parking lots without catch basins that are new, expansions, or painting new lines
  • Plumbing fixture replacement in the same location, for example a sink, tub, toilet, or shower
  • Re-cladding a building with the same material, for example siding to siding, or brick to brick
  • Re-shingling a roof
  • Retaining wall less than one metre high
  • Windows – replacing an existing one with the same size

If you’re not sure whether you need a permit for your specific project, email service@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601.

Check your zoning

Before you start a new project, check the zoning of your property on our interactive map to find out if there are any restrictions on what or where you can build.

Gather drawings and documents you need

  • Requirements for Residential Permit Applications (for projects on residential property)
  • Requirements for Residential Demolition Applications
  • Requirements for Non-Residential Demolition Applications
  • Requirements for Non-Residential (ICI and Part 3 Residential) Permit Applications (for projects on non-residential property)

Building permit costs

The total fees depend on the size, type and use of the proposed project or building. The exact cost of your permit will be calculated once we pre-screen your request. The minimum fee for a building permit is $200.

Pre-screening fee

You will need to pay a $60 pre-screening fee when you submit your request online. This non-refundable deposit will be credited towards the total cost of your permit.

2022 rates and fees

Review the 2022 Building Permit Fees (pdf).

How residential floor areas and permit fees are calculated

Review how residential floor areas and permit fees are calculated (pdf)

Development charges

There may be additional fees such as development charges or deposits you need to pay before your permit is issued.

Find out if you need additional approvals

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. Property owners are responsible for getting all necessary approvals for their proposed project. Proof of approval must be submitted to Building Services with the permit package. Obtaining consent may be a lengthy process so please establish early what is required to satisfy the pertinent requirements.

Conservation lands

Conservation lands

If your property is located on land that’s regulated by a conservation authority you’ll need to get written approval from one of the following, depending on where your property is:

  • Credit Valley Conservation Authority
  • Halton Region Conservation Authority

Each conservation authority has a screening map that shows which properties need approval.

Heritage properties

Heritage properties

If you own a listed or designated heritage property, the Ontario Heritage Act may limit the types of construction or changes you can make.

You can check the heritage status of your property online.

Learn more about heritage permits.

Properties near provincial highways

Properties near provincial highways

If your property is close to a provincial highway you may need approval from the Ministry of Transportation. Check the Ministry’s interactive map as a guide to see if the location of your project falls in an area requiring additional permits or approvals.

Site plan approval

Site plan approval

Building or development in certain parts of the town is subject to “site plan control” which means that your application may need to be approved by the Planning department before you receive your building permit.

Committee of Adjustment approval

Committee of Adjustment approval

If you’re planning to build or make changes to your property that will not meet current zoning by-law requirements, you may need to apply for approval from the Committee of Adjustment.

Additional approvals

Additional approvals

Additional approvals may be needed from other town departments/areas including:

  • Development Engineering
  • Site plan
  • Finance department
  • Fire department

Additional approvals may be needed from other agencies/organizations including:​

  • Electrical Safety Authority
  • Ministry of Environment
  • Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Oakville Hydro
  • Ontario One Call
  • Region Municipality of Halton
  • Region of Halton Health Department
  • Union Gas
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Property owners are responsible for getting all necessary approvals for their proposed project. Proof of approval must be submitted to Building Services with the permit package.

Return to how to apply for a building permit

Building permits

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  • 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario
  • 905-845-6601

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