Addition, alteration and finished basement permits

Check whether you need a permit

• The BCA requires that a building permit be issued before you start any work on a new house, an addition or any material alterations to an existing building.
• Renovating a building, or a material alteration of a building
• An addition to a building, including sunrooms
• Altering the interior of a building, including finishing a basement
• Altering or remodelling a plumbing and/or HVAC system
• Building a fireplace and chimney
• Installing a woodstove or chimney
• During the planning phase of your project, you must determine what zoning requirements apply to your property. For all zoning and compliance-related information, visit Zoning and Compliance Letter Requests. Please note that we do not provide zoning information over the phone or in person at this time.

Get your pre-approvals

There are a number of steps to apply for residential building permits, including pre-approvals, such as:

• Site alteration permits (approved grading)
• Planning approval (SPA), where applicable
• Conservation authority approval (TRCA)
• Urban planning approval

Prepare your plans0 of 18

The Addition or Alteration checklist lists drawing types required for a complete application including: site plans, architectural drawings, mechanical drawings and structural information, etc.

• Submission requirements6
• Forms and Pre-approvals8
• Drawings4

You need an account to see these 18 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 forms8Download the set8 forms

Forms must be completed and signed electronically. All City of Richmond Hill Building forms are available online in fillable format.

• Addition or AlterationForm
• Finished BasementForm
• Application to Construct or DemolishPermit application form for the construction or demolition of a buildingForm
• Schedule 1: Designer Informationa form completed by each person who takes responsibility for a design that is submitted with a permit applicationForm
• Schedule 2: Sewage System Installer Informationuse when applicableForm
• Compliance with Applicable LawsForm
• Energy Efficiency Design SummaryForm
• Plumbing Worksheetwhere plumbing and drain work is proposedDocument

Pre-screening

There are two steps to the online submission process: Pre-screening and Formal application.

• All types of building permits applications (residential and non-residential) can be applied for on-line. Online applications are processed and issued electronically following online payment by credit card.
• When a pre-screening submission is made, a reference number will be assigned and the Building Division will pre-screen your submission to determine if all of the submission requirements are included.
• Where it is determined that the acceptance criteria has been satisfied through the pre-screening stage, you will be advised by email from Building Division staff the requirements to move to the formal application stage, including the applicable fee based on the fee schedule.
• Where the submission is deemed to be insufficient, you will continue to coordinate with Building Division staff until such time the submission is determined to be acceptable.
• Applications for any building permit will be reviewed for completeness and you will hear from us within 2 business days.

Formal application

• Once a confirmation email is received with a list of outstanding items (including the applicable fee), you are ready to complete your application.
• Following the instructions provided, you will reply to the email with a reference to the assigned reference number and attach any outstanding PDFs as requested (if any). If no further attachment is necessary, simply advise the Building Division staff member before you make the required payment.
• A building permit fee is required to complete the application. Online applications must be paid online by credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
• Please note that the formal submission must be made and the applicable fee must be received in full within two weeks from the date in which the confirmation email is sent by the Building Division. Otherwise, the reference number will no longer be valid and you will need to resubmit all relevant files and documents.
• Payment by Visa or MasterCard is limited to a maximum of $100,000.00. Any balance of payment may be paid by cash or cheque.
• When the building permit is issued, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to print the permit card and relevant drawings/documents (in colour) and keep them on the construction site.

Pay the fee

All permit fees are due at the time of permit application. When application fees are in excess of $20,000, applicants may elect to pay 50% of the fee at the application stage and the balance at the time of permit issuance.

• $27.37 per m2 (≈ $2.54 per sq ft), building addition fee
• $10.40 per m2 (≈ $0.97 per sq ft), building alteration fee
• Fees for drains and plumbing work may also apply
• $6.56 per m2 (≈ $0.61 per sq ft)
• $210.12 flat fee (minimum residential permit fee)
• Fees for drains and plumbing work may also apply
• $158.40 minimum plumbing fee
• $47.97 flat fee for water service
• $196.61 flat fee for sanitary and storm drains
• $28.40 per fixture for additions or alteration projects only

Book your inspections

• You are responsible for notifying us when you reach each stage of the housing inspection process.