Building Permits in Kitchener
The permit guides and documents DocHub holds for building permits in Kitchener, each taken from the municipality’s own pages.
The municipality lists what to submit. CodeEase shows what the building code asks of it. See CodeEase →
Permit guides
- New home permitsYou need a building permit to build a new residential building, including a detached home, semi-detached home, detached duplex or rowhouse.
- Addition, interior alteration, load-bearing wall and HVAC permitsYou need a building permit for interior alterations, including partial and full basement finishing projects, to build an addition on your home, to remove a load-bearing wall, column, lintel or beam, and to change your HVAC heating system.
- Additional dwelling unit (ADU) permitsYou may be able to build up to four dwelling units on lots that currently permit a single detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling, or street townhouse dwelling; a building permit is required before starting any construction.
- Deck and porch permitsYou need a building permit to build a deck or porch if it is 24 inches (2 feet) or more above the ground, measured at any point, or if your deck will be covered by a permanent roof.
- Garage and carport permitsYou need a building permit for a carport or attached garage that is 108 square feet or larger or attached to another structure, and for a detached garage or accessory structure (other than a shed) that is 108 square feet or larger, attached to another structure or has plumbing.
- Shed permitsYou need a building permit to build a shed that is more than 161 square feet, more than one storey, attached to another structure, used for any purpose other than storage, or has plumbing.
- Pool enclosure permitsYou need a pool enclosure permit for all types of pools capable of containing water at least 36 inches or greater in depth, including hot tubs, swim spas, in-ground, above ground and inflatable pools.
- Fence variancesIf your fence does not meet the requirements of the City's fence bylaw, you can make an application for a variance request.
- Demolition permitsYou need a building permit to demolish any structure that is 108 square feet or larger.
- Sign permitsIf you’re building or installing a permanent, portable or temporary sign in Kitchener, you need to apply for and obtain a sign permit.
- Tents, demountable stages and outdoor patiosTents require a building permit when the area of the structure exceeds 60m² (645sf) or when the area of two or more tents exceeds 60 square metres (645 square feet).
- ICI building permitsYou need a building permit for new ICI buildings or additions, and for interior alterations to ICI buildings.
- Water, sewer, storm and backflow device permitsYou need a building permit to replace or install a new water, storm or sewer service connection on private property, and before starting emergency water service or sewer repairs.
Documents
Every building permit
- 2018 Energy Efficiency Certification FormForm
- Addendum: Conditional Permit ApplicationForm
- Application for an Alternative SolutionForm
- Building and Fire Code DesignForm
- Conditional Permit AgreementDocument
- Cost Estimate to Restore Site to Original ConditionDocument
- Demolition Tracking SheetDocument
- Development Charges Information SheetFees
- Flow Control Roof Drainage DeclarationForm
- Guide for the Use and Installation of Ecology UnitsGuide
- Guide to Calculating Building HeightGuide
- Guide to Climbable Features Adjacent to GuardsGuide
- Guide to the Completion of the City of Kitchener Ontario Building Code Data Matrix for Existing BuildingsGuide
- Guide to the Completion of the City of Kitchener Ontario Building Code Data Matrix for New BuildingsGuide
- Ontario Building Code Data Matrix for Existing BuildingsDocument
- Ontario Building Code Data Matrix for New BuildingsDocument
- Request for Conditional PermitForm
- Residential Mechanical Ventilation RecordDocument
- Shoring and Foundation Design DeclarationForm
- Sound Transmission Design DeclarationForm
- Tips When Hiring Consultant(s) as Part of Construction or Change of Use Building PermitsGuide
- Unconditional Irrevocable Letter of CreditDocument
Houses
Additions & Alterations
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary: Performance & Other Acceptable Compliance MethodsForm
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary: Prescriptive MethodForm
- Interior Alterations or Basement Finishing Information Guide and ProcessGuide
- Project Information: ResidentialDocument
- Removing a Load Bearing Wall Information Guide and ProcessGuide
Additional Residential Units
- A By-law to Establish Development Charges for the City of Kitchener and to Repeal By-law 2019-086By-law
- Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House Guide to Successful InspectionsGuide
- Duplex ConversionGuide
- Guide to Additional Dwelling UnitsGuide
- Heat Loss and Gain Calculation Summary SheetForm
- Kitchener Utilities Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guide: Water and Gas ServicesGuide
- Schedule 'C1' City of Kitchener Central NeighbourhoodsMap
- Schedule 'C2' City of Kitchener Suburban AreaMap
Decks & Porches
Garages & Carports
Sheds & Accessory Buildings
Pools & Enclosures
Demolition
Signs
Tents & Temporary Structures
Commercial, Industrial & Institutional
- Change of Use / Part 11 – Renovation of Existing Buildings MatrixDocument
- Fire Safety PlanForm
- Guide to Determining Group F, Division 3 OccupanciesGuide
- Guide to Installing and Locating Portable Fire ExtinguishersGuide
- Guide to Protection of Above Ground Piping (NFPA 14 - 2013 Edition)Guide
- High Building (OBC 3.2.6. and SB-4) Design Checklist for New BuildingsChecklist
- Ontario Building Code Data MatrixForm