Non-residential permits: commercial, industrial and institutional buildings

Check whether you need a permit

A building permit is a formal permission from Richmond Hill to start a building project.

• A new building, including temporary and farm buildings
• 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
• Moving a building
• Demolishing a building
• Changing the use or occupancy of a building
• Altering or remodelling a plumbing and/or HVAC system
• Installing or modifying a sprinkler system
• Installing or modifying a fire alarm system
• Constructing a retaining wall and any other designated structures
• Installation or alteration to an on-site sewage system
• 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.

Prepare your plans and documents0 of 37

Upload your required attachments with the following naming convention: ### Street Name Building Permit

• Non-residential (ICI) applications2The application process in Richmond Hill to construct a new a non-residential building (ICI) or to alter an existing non-residential building, requires a number of forms and other materials, including:
• Submission requirements7
• Forms and Pre-approvals18
• Drawings9
• Non-residential project checklists1

You need an account to see these 37 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 forms9Download the set11 forms

Richmond Hill offers the following forms and checklists to help you complete your permit application correctly.

• 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
• Statement of Design OR Building Data MatrixDetermines the building classification States the proposed building occupancy type Confirms the size of the building (gross floor area and height) States which life safety systems are required for your project Barrier-free access Spatial separation data Occupant load Washroom requirementsForm
• Commitment to General Review and Owners UndertakingCertifies that the project is reviewed during construction by an architect, professional engineer or both Informs you that according to the OBC professionals conducting reviews must be licensed to practice in Ontario Requires the names and disciplines of the professionals who will conduct the general reviewsForm
• Compliance with Applicable LawStates that your project complies with all applicable laws and regulations that apply Requires documentation that proves each law is metForm
• Plumbing and Drain WorksheetIndicates what plumbing and drain work is being done Confirms what site servicing work is to be doneDocument
• Mechanical Unit Data sheetTo be filled out by the design Engineer for all roof top unit installationsForm
• Non-Residential Permit and Site Servicing Permit Applications ChecklistLists pre-approvals, forms, documents, site plans, architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings needed for a complete application Lists site servicing drawings, plumbing worksheets and exterior plumbing required for site servicing permitsForm

Submit your application

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.
• Eligible applications are reviewed and processed electronically.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Applications for any building permit will be reviewed for completeness and you will hear from us within 2 business days.
• Complete applications for small building permits will be reviewed and you will hear from us within 15 business days.
• Complete applications for large building permits will be reviewed and you will hear from us within 20 business days.
• Complete applications for complex building permits will be reviewed and you will hear from us within 30 business days.

Pay the fee

• Building permit fees are calculated according to By-law 19-24.
• Permit fees tables, based on class of construction and scope of work, can be found in Schedule "A", Section (3), By-law 19-24.
• 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.
• A building permit fee is required to complete the application. Online applications must be paid online by credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
• 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.