Addition, finished basement and interior alteration permits

Plumbing

• If you plan to add a bathroom, wet bar, or other plumbing fixture you are required to submit a water service calculation form to verify your water service is adequately sized to handle the additional load or if upgrading is required.

Bedrooms

• If you plan to add a basement bedroom, the basement requires an egress window or door.
• Additionally, the bedroom requires its own window based on the floor area of the bedroom. If adding a sixth bedroom, you will require a Building Code Part 6 ventilation design.

Heritage approval

• If you are making changes to the building façade for windows or doors you will need heritage approval.

Walk-up entrance

• If you plan to add an egress door with walk up stairs, you will need to consult an engineer or BCIN qualified designer for construction drawings and details.

Submission material checklist

Prepare the following documents:

• Site plan - required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows, adding walk-up stairs, if applicable to your property or demolition
• Elevations - required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows, adding walk-up stairs, if applicable to your property or demolition
• Floor plans
• HVAC design (location of supply outlets and return inlets), Part 6 design - if applicable to your project
• Engineered walk-up stair details - if applicable to your project
• Sizing of water service pipe form
• Schedule 1 designer information
• Heritage Planning approval - if applicable to your property
• Conservation approval - if applicable to your property
• Tree protection declaration

Walls

• If you are removing a load bearing wall, you may require engineered beams and there may be changes to HVAC components.
• If you are not sure if a wall is load bearing contact a BCIN qualified designer, architect or engineer.
• For any permit that contains a load bearing wall removal provide complete framing plans for the whole house. Show all existing and proposed conditions, all point loads from above through to the foundation. Show any proposed changes to HVAC components. Where extensive interior renovations are proposed additional HVAC materials may be required.

Walls: existing floor plan

Existing floor plan for the floor level where the wall is being removed with a demolition plan and any temporary shoring (provide stamped shoring detail).

• Indicate direction and span of existing floor joists.
• Show existing beams and posts.
• Show existing supply outlet and return air inlets location (including the grill opening size of the returns).
• The integrity of the HVAC system shall be maintained at all times. All rooms or spaces affected by changes shall have adequate heat sources.

Walls: proposed floor plan

Proposed plan for the floor level where the wall is being removed.

• Indicate direction and span of floor joists.
• Show proposed beam locations, sizes, supports. Distance measured from the new beam to the next wall or beam that is supporting the floor joists (for each side of the beam).
• Show changes to supply outlets and return air inlets (including the grill opening size of the returns) or provide a note indicating 'existing HVAC to remain', if no HVAC changes are proposed.
• If ductwork is to be rerouted, existing and proposed configuration should be shown.

Walls: floor levels above and below

Plan views for all floor levels above and below where the wall is being removed.

• Indicate direction and span of all floor joists.
• Show all existing/proposed beams, their sizes and post locations. Distance measured from the beam to the next wall or beam that is supporting the floor joists (for each side of the beam).

Windows and exterior doors

• If you are making changes to the building façade for windows or doors you will need heritage approval.
• Properties on the town's heritage registry require heritage approval.

Submission materials

Prepare the following documents:

• Site plan - required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows. Show all structures on the property and setbacks to property lines.
• Elevations - required if adding or changing the size of openings like doors and windows. Ensure elevations are complete, dimensioned and labelled. If the area of above grade unprotected openings is being increased then provide OBC compliant spatial separation calculations.
• Floor plans. Provide wall/ceiling assembly notes all floors. Provide lintel/header information for any new or altered openings. Provide OBC compliant glazing calculations where new room uses are indicated. Label all room uses. Show locations of supply and return airs throughout, and show the location of the furnace/water heater. Provide exhaust fans for all kitchen stoves and washrooms.
• Cross sections wherever an unconditioned space is converted to a conditioned living space showing proposed assemblies.
• Engineered beam details - if applicable to your project. See 'Walls' above for requirements for load bearing wall removals specifically.
• Schedule 1 designer information
• Heritage Planning approval - if applicable to your property
• Water service sizing form
• Ensure the integrity of the HVAC system is maintained at all times. Ensure all rooms with heat loss have adequate heat sources. Each floor level requires at least one return air inlet.