DaVinci Engineering

Building Permit Drawings in Toronto & the GTA

03/20/2025 | DaVinci Engineering | ,

What is a Building Permit?

A building permit is an official approval issued by local municipalities, such as the City of Toronto, Richmond Hill, and Markham, that allows construction, renovation, or demolition work to proceed. This approval ensures that the project complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), local zoning bylaws, and other essential regulations that prioritize public safety, structural integrity, and environmental protection.

The Ontario Building Code (OBC) sets the minimum standards for building design and construction in Ontario, covering fire safety, structural stability, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Compliance with the OBC is mandatory, and building permits are the primary tool for enforcing these standards

Why Are Building Permits So Important?

Building permits serve a crucial role in ensuring:

  1. Ensuring Safety: Building permits guarantee that your project adheres to the safety standards outlined in the Ontario Building Code, protecting you, your family, future occupants, and the community from potential hazards.
  2. Guaranteeing Legal Compliance: Undertaking construction or renovation work without the necessary permits can lead to significant consequences, including fines, stop-work orders, or even forced demolition.
  3. Assuring Quality: The building permit process includes inspections by qualified professionals who verify that the work being done meets code requirements.
  4. Protecting Your Investment: Unpermitted work can negatively impact the value of your property and create significant issues when selling or refinancing.
  5. Securing Insurance Coverage: Many insurance companies may deny claims for damages resulting from unpermitted work.

When Do You Need a Building Permit?

You will need a building permit for various construction and renovation projects, including:

Residential Construction

  • New home builds
  • Home additions
  • Secondary suites or Legal basement
  • Laneway and garden suites
  • Interior alteration
  • Walkout/side door permit

Structural Modifications

  • Removing or adding walls
  • Installing new windows or doors (if altering structure)
  • Reinforcing foundations
  • underpinning

Accessory Structures

  • Garages, sheds, or decks over 10 square meters
  • porches
  • Swimming pools

Commercial and Industrial Projects

  • Office renovations
  • Retail store construction
  • Industrial facility expansions

Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades

  • HVAC system installation
  • Electrical upgrades and rewiring

Steps to Apply for a Building Permit

The building permit process has various stages, starting with who can apply for the permit.

The building code requires that the person applying for a building permit must:

  • be the owner or an authorized agent of the owner.
  • the owner’s residential address and the address of the property that is the site of the construction must be included.
  • contact information for the owner and designer must be included
  • the legal questionnaire must be checked
  • the payment of the application fee must be paid. 
  • the qualifications of the designer (if different than the owner) must be included.

Zoning

The process starts by visiting the municipal building department to check on zoning restrictions. For this step representational drawings of the footprint, elevations, site plan and in some cases a survey must be included.  A bylaw examiner determines compliance with municipal zoning bylaws, building setbacks from lot lines, the height of the building, what is the lot coverage, parking requirements and landscaping statistics.  (Not all of these will apply depending upon the scope of the construction required.)

Applying for a Minor Variance

In some cases the project may not fit within the constraints of the Zoning Bylaws, and if it is not possible to comply, then an application to the Committee of Adjustment may be in order. 

  • Your project exceeds height restrictions (e.g., adding a second story).
  • Your proposed addition extends too close to the property line.
  • You need zoning variances for a laneway or garden suite.

 Provided that the relief sought is minor in nature, complies with the Official Plan for the community, and doesn’t cause a reasonable problem for other property owners in the neighbourhood, a good outcome is likely.

If the proposed work is compliant with zoning, then the application for the permit may be started by including all forms complete with technical drawings and paying the required application fee.  Usually, the people at the front desk of the building department (with Covid-19 protocols in place, this will be via a phone call) will be helpful with the process by walking you through the steps.  If you find it too intimidating or time-consuming, rely on your authorized agent. Don’t feel embarrassed by not knowing what to do, the staff makes the experience friendly and smooth as possible.  The key to a successful application is to have a complete set of drawings with specifications submitted with the application.

Approval

The approval, or reasons for denying the application happen within 10 business days for most classes of residential applications.  In Toronto, a small project may be fast-tracked and take only 5 days. For a larger residential project, the process may take longer because of the complexity. Reasons for denial may include a design element that doesn’t conform with some aspect of the Ontario Building Code, or there is incomplete information on drawings, structural changes that would require the design by a professional engineer or a design that is inappropriate for the intended occupancy.  It is important to note that drawings must be to scale, all text must be clearly legible, and the drawing pages must be in a sensible order. Any shortcoming in the requirements will result delays and resubmission of information.

How DaVinci Engineering Can Help

  • Permit Drawings by Experts: We create permit-ready architectural and structural drawings to meet all municipal and OBC requirements.
  • Application Assistance: We handle documentation and submission to ensure accuracy.
  • Expedited Approvals: With 15+ years of experience, we streamline approvals and reduce wait times.

[Discover More About Our Services →] ( we can have a link here, clicking on the link the following services can be shown.)

1. Initial Consultation

We begin with a consultation to understand your project scope and permit requirements.

2. Zoning and Pre-Approval Assessment

We conduct a zoning analysis to ensure compliance with local bylaws.

3. Preparing Drawings

Our team provides detailed architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and local regulations.

4. Application Submission

DaVinci Engineering submits your application to the appropriate municipal office.

5. Committee of Adjustment (If Applicable)

If your project requires zoning variances, we manage the Committee of Adjustment (CofA) process, from public notices to hearings.

6. Approval and Follow-Up

Once approved, we provide you with the permit and assist in scheduling necessary inspections.

How DaVinci Engineering Helps when you may need to present your case to The Committee of Adjustment CofA:

The Committee of Adjustment (CofA) is a public body that reviews applications for minor variances from zoning bylaws. if:

  • Pre-Consultation: Assess whether your project needs CofA approval.
  • Application Preparation: Prepare drawings, zoning analysis, and justification letters.
  • Public Notices & Hearings: Guide you through the public notice process and represent you at hearings.
  • Hearing Representation: Advocate for your project before the CofA panel.

Typical CofA approval timeline: 8–12 weeks from submission to hearing.