Non-residential building permits

Check whether you need a permit

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

• Addition to an existing building
• Backflow preventer/backwater valve
• Building or structure greater than 10 square metres (≈ 108 sq ft), or any size that contains plumbing
• Change the use of a building
• Communication or transmission tower or antenna greater than 16.6 metres (≈ 54 ft 5½ in) high above ground level
• Doors – either adding a new door or increasing the size of an existing one
• Dust collector
• Fire alarm system
• Fire damage repair
• Fire suppression system
• Generator connected to life safety equipment like fire alarms or emergency lighting
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
• Interior alterations
• Kitchen exhaust
• Loading dock
• Maglocks
• Mezzanine
• Parking structure, like a multi-level parking lot
• Patio for a restaurant
• Plumbing fixture like a sink, tub, toilet, or shower that’s added, removed or relocated
• Plumbing drainage – install, replace or repair
• Re-cladding a building with new material, for example changing siding to brick
• Roof extensions or alterations to increase the height or change the slope
• Rooftop HVAC replacements
• Satellite dish attached to a building, or a dish with an area equal to or greater than 5 square metres (≈ 53.8 sq ft)
• Shoring and excavation
• Site servicing
• Skylights
• Sprinklers
• Spray booths
• Underpinning foundation walls
• Windows – either new or increasing the size of an existing window

Before preparing your permit

Some approvals and permits must be in place before you start preparing your building permit application.

• Site plan approval: You must submit an application for site plan approval before applying for a building permit.
• Demolition permit: If there is an existing building on your site, you will require a separate demolition permit. A demolition permit is a type of building permit.
• Site servicing permit: If you are proposing modifications to the site servicing or installing new services, a separate site servicing permit is required. Contact buildingrequests@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601 ext 7377
• Halton Region services permit: If adding new connections at the street, a Halton Region services permit is required.

Project preparation

Detailed information is required to properly evaluate your plans and the unique conditions of your property or unit.

• Before you get started, consult the zoning by-law to ensure your proposed plans for the unit are permitted under the Town of Oakville's zoning by-laws which regulate the use, shape and location of buildings on properties.
• If changing the use or occupancy of the building or unit, a Zoning Certificate of Occupancy is required.
• Learn more about zoning in Oakville or contact us at 905-845-6601 ext. 3955.
• If you are a new owner or tenant moving into a space or if a change of use is occurring, development charges for the Region of Halton may apply.
• A non-residential development charge form (pdf) will need to be submitted so the region can review the scope of work and determine if charges are applicable.
• Development charges must be paid prior to building permit issuance.
• If your project is deemed to be substantial redevelopment, then Planning approval is required.
• Typically, site plan approval is initiated prior to applying for a building permit.
• If you are opening a daycare centre, site plan approval may be required.
• Learn more about planning applications or contact planningapps@oakville.ca.
• An approved fire route is required. Please contact fireprevention@oakville.ca.
• If your property is in a designated conservation area, contact Conservation Halton for approval at web@hrca.on.ca or 905-336-1158.
• Halton Region: Business owners or operators are required to notify Halton Region Public Health when they are planning to open to the public, reopen (seasonal), undergo renovations or change in operation and/or services provided to the public including food premises, personal services setting, class A&B pools and tobacco/vapour product retailers.
• Ministry of Environment approval: If your project changes the use of the building or unit to a more sensitive use you will need to provide a record of site condition from the Ministry of the Environment. An example of a change to a more sensitive use is proposing a daycare centre in a former industrial unit.
• Ministry of Education approval: If your project is for a daycare centre, Montessori school or private school you will need to provide a letter of approval from the Ministry of Education.
• Ministry of Long-Term Care approval: If your project is for a long-term care facility, you will need to provide a letter of approval from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
• Ministry of Transportation approval: If your property is located close to a major highway as indicated in the MTO designated areas map you will require Ministry of Transportation approval.

Submission materials0 of 12

Digital copies of drawings and documents are required, scaled to size and flattened. Typically, an architect, engineer or qualified BCIN designer is retained for the project.

• Drawings and documents12Prepare the following documents:

You need an account to see these 12 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 forms6Download the set9 forms

• Oakville Permit Application AuthorizationForm
• Commitment to general reviewForm
• Non-residential development chargesForm
• Geotechnical calculations or sub soil declarationForm
• SB-10 Formalong with drawings with supporting documents and calculationsForm
• Schedule 1: Designer information formForm

Submit your application

Before starting a building permit application, all applicants should understand the requirements.

• Depending on the type of project you’re working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your building permit can be issued.
• Review and complete the Applicable Law Form to indicate which additional approvals may be required for your project. Save this form and be sure to upload it as a supporting document during the application process.
• Organize drawings and documents in their respective folder tabs in ProjDox.
• Each Drawing file is to be uploaded as single pages properly labeled.
• Orient drawings in landscape. Orient forms and documents in portrait.
• Save files in Vector PDF format, unlocked/editable, greyscale, flattened into a single layer and free of comments.
• Submit searchable PDF files for calculations, reports and other supporting documents (non-drawing files), when possible.
• Name your file using the short form name or a brief label so that the content of the document is clear.
• Resubmissions: Use bubbles to denote changes to the drawings and include a response letter detailing how review comments have been addressed.
• Use Chrome or Safari for the best experience.
• If it is your first time using our online services, you need to create a user name and password. If you have an existing account, you can use the same username and password.
• Provide information about your project and upload your drawings and documents. You do not need to provide the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.
• The review and approval process of your submitted documents regarding your building permit application will be processed through the ePlan, powered by ProjectDox software, if your application requires drawings to be uploaded.
• You will receive a ProjectDox Invitation email containing instructions and a link to access your project.
• If you are requested to resubmit materials, please only submit those requested. Do not resubmit the entire application package unless requested to do so.
• Once all examinations are complete and requirements are satisfied, you will be issued a building permit.

Pay the fee

• The total fees depend on the size, type and use of the proposed project or building. The exact cost of your permit will be calculated once we pre-screen your request.
• The minimum fee for a building permit is $200.
• You will be prompted to pay a $100 pre-screening fee when you submit your request online. This non-refundable deposit will be credited towards the total cost of your permit. Subsequent resubmissions are subject to the non-refundable pre-screen fee.
• Building Services - Rates and Fees
• There may be additional fees such as development charges or deposits you need to pay before your permit is issued.
• Once your application is accepted, you will receive an invoice for payment.
• Credit card up to $10,000 payable by signing into your town account
• Email transfer up to $10,000 through your financial institution to buildingrequests@oakville.ca
• Electronic funds transfer (EFT) in any amount with direct payment to the Town of Oakville’s bank account. Please direct the EFT notification to accountsreceivable@oakville.ca and notify Building Services once payment has been made at buildingrequests@oakville.ca
• For faster processing, please include the permit number and property address with any of the above payment methods.
• Wire transfer payments are subject to additional fees and may cause permit processing delays.
• Cheques are still accepted made payable to the Town of Oakville, and mailed or delivered to:
• Town of Oakville Attn: Building Services 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville, ON L6H 0H3

Building rates and fees

Building and development engineering permit application rates and fees.

• Building Department - Permit Fees and Charges
• Building By-law 2013-088