Building permits for small businesses

Check whether you need a permit

Applying for a building permit is a vital step before you begin any construction project. You will need a building permit if you make any changes to the structure of your building such as demolishing, altering the interior, or changing or expanding the use of a building.

• Adding a patio (temporary use by-law for tents)
• Adding or modifying a ramp or deck
• Removing, adding or modifying interior walls
• Installing a commercial cooking exhaust system
• Installing or modifying the sprinkler system
• Reconstructing or modifying the storefront window
• Installing exit signs and an emergency lighting system
• Installing or modifying plumbing
• Constructing a washroom or barrier-free washroom
• Installing a grease interceptor or backflow preventer
• Installing a commercial sign
• Installing a full height protective shield to the underside of the ceiling
• Changing use and occupancy of a building from one business use to a different business use (i.e. from office to restaurant)

Before Submitting an Application

• A designer with Building Code Identification Number qualifications for smaller buildings up to 600m2 (≈ 6,458 sq ft) in gross floor area and three storeys or less in building height and/or
• A licensed professional engineer and/or architect for large buildings and restaurants with seating for more than 30 persons.
• Provide barrier-free washrooms and barrier-free entrance
• Provide new or additional washrooms
• Construct fire separations including rated doors and windows
• Install or modify existing sprinklers
• Install exit signs and/or emergency lighting
• For restaurants you will need to use a licensed professional engineer to install an oil or grease interceptor and a commercial cooking exhaust
• Provide all required fire separations with proper reference to SB2, SB3 or ULC.
• Zoning Verification (if applicable)
• Site plan approval for new buildings — call 905-546-2424 ext 1355
• Encroachment approval if proposal encroaches onto City property

Requirements for Your Building Permit Project0 of 6

You must also submit these drawings with your application:

You need an account to see these 6 items.It’s free. Use Sign in at the top of the page to create one, then tick the items off on any device and print them as a checklist.

Apply Online for a Building Permit

Applications can now be submitted online by property owner, or agent acting on behalf of the owner through the City of Hamilton’s Customer Portal.

• Step 1: Create a City of Hamilton Account (my.hamilton.ca)
• You will need to create an account at my.hamilton.ca/
• Step 2: Access the Customer Portal
• After signing into my.hamilton.ca/, select the Building Permits category to create your Customer Portal account.
• Once you are setup on the Customer Portal, navigate to Getting Started and select Permitting & Inspections to apply for a Building Permit and follow the steps.
• Visit my.hamilton.ca/ and select the Building Permits category. Navigate to Getting Started and select Permitting & Inspections. Select an action and follow the steps.
• For assistance with my.hamilton.ca and login troubleshooting visit My.hamilton Portal FAQs
• For assistance with applying, visit Planning, Permitting, Licensing & By-Law System

Pay the fee

Application fee: Building permit fees must be paid in full at the time of the application.

• You must pay permit fees when you submit your Building Permit application. Building Permit fees are determined by Hamilton’s Building Permit By-law 15-058. Refer to this By-law for full details about building permit fees, requirements, refunds and code of conduct.
• Permit Fee = SI x A
• Where SI = Service lndex for the applicable Classification under section 3 below of the work proposed, and A = floor area in m2 of work involved.
• Where no new floor area is created, or where materials, systems or equipment regulated by the Code render it impossible to determine the permit fee on the basis of the classifications noted in this Schedule, the permit fee payable shall be 1% of the prescribed value as determined by the Chief Building Official under section 6 of this by-law, subject to a minimum fee as per Section 3 of this Schedule.
• Where the permit fee is in excess of $50,000 an applicant may elect to pay 55% of the full permit fee at the time of building permit application and the balance at the time of permit issuance.
• Fees noted in the Schedule are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.) where applicable
• Minimum permit fee of $291 for processing and issuance of permits, except where specifically noted otherwise in this By-law.
• All Recreation Facilities, Elementary Schools, Daycare Facilities, Libraries, Places of Worship, Restaurants, Theatres, Arenas, Gymnasiums, Indoor Pools, Secondary Schools and all other Group A Buildings: $27.21
• Shell only: $23.62
• Finishing only: $6.18
• Non-Residential - Outdoor Patio: $218 (flat fee)
• Institutional, Hospitals, Medical Care Facilities, Nursing Homes, and other Group B Buildings: $32.52
• Shell only: $26.03
• Finishing only: $7.19
• Hotels, Motels: $24.23
• Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Shell only): $18.29
• Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Finishing only): $5.85
• Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Finished): $24.14
• Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Shell only): $22.11
• Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Finishing only): $6.21
• Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Finished): $28.33
• Retail (Shell only): $15.00
• Retail (Finishing only): $5.07
• Retail (Finished): $20.05
• Industrial (shell only): $9.08
• Industrial (finishing only): $4.96
• Industrial (finished): $14.06
• Parking Garages: $8.30
• Gas Stations: $15.15
• Electromagnetic Locks: $248 each (maximum $741)
• Fire Alarm System: $435 (flat fee)
• Emergency Lighting/Exit Signs: $435 (flat fee)
• Sprinkler System: $0.72 per m2 (≈ $0.07 per sq ft)
• Standpipe System: $435 (flat fee)
• Combined Sprinkler and Standpipe System: $0.72 per m2 (≈ $0.07 per sq ft) (minimum $435)
• Commercial Cooking Exhaust System: $435
• Backflow Preventer - For first premise or zone device: $291
• Backflow Preventer - For each additional premise or zone device: $187
• Grease/Oil Interceptor: $291
• Alterations/partitioning/renovations to existing finished areas (where no building systems are being installed or altered), relocation/moving permits: $4.06 per m2 (≈ $0.38 per sq ft)

Building Inspection

• Property owners and contractors, the permit holders, must arrange for inspections of construction once they get their building permits. Building inspectors conduct inspections to make sure that the Ontario Building Code regulations and other applicable municipal by-law requirements are met.
• Building inspectors inspect at key stages of construction that are prescribed in the Ontario Building Code. It is the permit holder's responsibility to arrange for inspections at the required inspection stages. Inspectors are also available to inspect work at non-prescribed times to assist permit holders with their projects.
• Permit holders must ensure that they understand the Ontario Building Code, the City of Hamilton's Zoning By-law regulation and other relevant municipal by-laws as they pertain to their building projects.