Commercial, industrial and institutional building permits

Check if your project needs a permit

Most renovation, construction, or demolition projects require a building permit.

• Addition to an existing building
• Building or structure: Greater than 10 square meters (≈ 108 sq ft) or any size with plumbing.
• Change of use: Changing the purpose of a building.
• Communication or transmission tower: Greater than 16.6 meters (≈ 54 ft 5½ in) high.
• Doors: Adding new or enlarging existing doors.
• Dust collector
• Fire alarm system
• Fire suppression system
• Generator: Connected to life safety equipment like fire alarms.
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
• Interior alterations
• Kitchen exhaust
• Loading dock
• Maglocks
• Mezzanine
• Parking structure: Multi-level parking lot.
• Patio for a restaurant
• Plumbing fixtures: Adding, removing, or relocating sinks, tubs, toilets, or showers.
• Plumbing drainage: Installation, replacement, or repair.
• Rooftop HVAC replacements
• Shoring and excavation
• Site servicing
• Spray booths
• Sprinklers
• Temporary tents: Greater than 60 square meters (≈ 646 sq ft).

Review zoning regulations

• Before you start, check the City of London’s zoning bylaw. This will show if there are any restrictions on what you can build on your property.
• Schedule a meeting with a Zoning Coordinator to ensure you're complying with the City of London Zoning By-law.

Understand costs and timelines

• When you apply for a permit, you'll pay a deposit. This deposit will go towards your total permit cost. The City will calculate the final amount once your permit is ready to be issued.
• Minimum permit fee: The minimum fee is $260.37
• Minimum permit fee for Part 3 buildings: The minimum fee is $557.91
• Partial occupancy: $688.54
• Alternative solutions: $491.67
• Proprietary review: A base application fee of $368.85 +HST is required for the review of property systems, equipment, and components to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code, as part of the permit application (including the issuance of a Compliance letter). This fee is due at the time of submission.
• Additional fees: You may need to pay extra fees, like development charges or additional permit fees, before your permit is finalized.
• Fee details: For more information on fees for different types of projects, check the Building B-7 By-law.
• Permits for new buildings, additions, and renovations up to three storeys in height, with a building area not exceeding 600 sq m (≈ 6,458 sq ft), excluding assembly, care, detention, or high hazard industrial occupancy
• Permits for new buildings, additions, and renovations exceeding three storeys and/or 600 sq m (≈ 6,458 sq ft) in area
• Permits for assembly, care, detention, or high hazard industrial occupancies
• Permits for high-rise buildings, buildings with interconnected floor space, or post-disaster buildings
• Applications submitted in December—particularly those requiring 20–30 business day reviews (e.g., complex buildings, interconnected floor spaces, post-disaster buildings)—may not be issued until early in the new year.
• The City does not guarantee year-end issuance. Processing time depends on completeness, volume, the legislated timelines, and the complexity of the project.

Prepare your documents0 of 22

For larger or more complex buildings (like restaurants, schools, or residential buildings over 3 storeys or 600m² (≈ 6,458 sq ft)) designed under Parts 3 or 4 of the Ontario Building Code, an engineer or architect licensed in Ontario is required to prepare the drawings.

• Large buildings (commercial, industrial, institutional, apartment buildings)19Drawings and documents required for larger residential commercial or industrial projects:
• File format guidelines3When uploading your drawings and documents to the portal, please follow these guidelines:

You need an account to see these 22 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.

Complete the forms7Download the set21 forms

Below, you will find all the forms and documents that the City of London may require during the building permit application process.

• Application for a permit to construct or demolishForm
• Authorization Letter - Property Owner Confirmation DeclarationIf you’re applying for a permit and aren’t the property owner, you must provide a letter from the owner authorizing you as their agent.Form
• Commitment to general reviews by Architects or EngineersThis is required for buildings under Parts 3 or 4 of the Ontario Building Code, this commitment ensures that an architect or professional engineer reviews the construction to verify its compliance with the approved permit documents.Form
• Schedule 1 Designer informationFor projects under Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code where no architect or engineer is responsible, this form details who reviews and takes responsibility for design activities.Form2 editions
• Schedule 2 Designer FormThis form is required for sewage system installations, this form certifies that the installer is properly qualified.Form
• Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC)This form is needed when fire protection systems are integrated and require whole-system testing.Form
• Electromagnetic Locking Devices Installers and Owners DeclarationForm

Check for additional approvals

Depending on your project and property location, you may need extra approvals before you can get your building permit. Here are some common ones:

• Conservation authority approval: If your property is regulated by a conservation authority, like the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, you'll need their approval.
• Heritage approval: If your property is a listed or designated heritage site, you’ll need heritage approval. Learn more about Heritage approvals here.
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation approval: For properties in MTO-controlled areas, you’ll need approval from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
• Site plan approval: If your property is in a site plan control area, you’ll need site plan approval. For details, email plandev@london.ca.
• Tree removal permit: If you plan to remove or damage trees on public or private property, you might need a tree removal permit.
• Committee of adjustment approval: If your project doesn’t meet current zoning by-law requirements, you might need approval from the Committee of Adjustment.

Submit your application

Follow these simple steps to apply online through our Development & Business Portal.

• 1. Create an account: Set up an account to access our online Development and Business Portal. This will allow you to manage your application and track its progress.
• 2. Submit your application: Log in to the Development and Business Portal and click the “Add New Permit” button to begin your application. Follow the steps to enter the required information, download the necessary documents, and pay the applicable fee.
• 3. Pre-screen review: After submitting your application and paying the fees, the City will start a pre-screen review to ensure the required documentation has been submitted to ensure the building permit application is a complete application and deemed on-the-clock.