Permit guideTorontoBuilding PermitsCommercial, Industrial & Institutional
Large residential and non-residential building permits
You need a building permit for construction for large residential or non-residential buildings, such as additions.
Check whether you need a permit
- A building permit for construction for large residential or non-residential buildings, such as additions.
- Only if you make interior alterations to an existing building, where the floor area of the building does not increase
Interior alterations
Building Permit for interior alterations to an existing building, where the floor area of the building does not increase. The use of the building may also change.
General Information
- All drawings to be done on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated.
- If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer’s name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities.
- All drawings, reports, and forms, including the completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, must be provided in a PDF format.
Site Plan
- Site plan showing property lines, lot area (referenced to a current survey)
- Key plan showing location of existing/proposed construction.
- Location of all existing/proposed buildings with overall dimensions and setback dimensions to property lines and adjacent buildings.
- Summary of permitted and proposed zoning provisions.
- Indicate fire route, fire department connections and fire hydrants.
- All parking/loading spaces. Include Barrier-Free information such as: curb cuts, designated accessible parking spaces, access ramps and all associated details.
Architectural Plans
- Dimensioned floor plans for each level, showing existing and proposed uses of all spaces, including all plumbing fixtures, reflected ceiling and associated details.
- Provide existing/proposed construction, interior/exterior wall assemblies, fire separations and structural framing above.
Roof Plan
- Existing and proposed roof layout showing roof structure, skylights, roof slopes, ventilation and including any screening requirements for mechanical roof top equipment.
Sections
- Cross section(s) to show existing/proposed building construction and specifications of all floor, wall and roof assemblies.
- Show floor to floor, floor to ceiling, and overall building heights.
- Detail fire separations, stairs, landings, guards and handrails.
Construction Details and Notes
- Building materials and specifications of all wall, floor and roof assemblies with typical wall section and typical roof detail
- Provide guard details including connection detail
- Door and room finish schedules
Building Life Safety
- Provide information about the life safety system in the building. The Building Design Information Form, Existing Life Safety Systems or an OBC Matrix may be used to show this information.
Required Forms
Apply by Email
- Please note: not all projects are eligible for email submission. Review the list of eligible applications and detailed email submission process.
- To submit an application by email please use the ‘Email’ button on top of the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.
Fees
Interior alterations (partitions, finishings, etc.) Fee (per m², unless otherwise stated)
- Group A, B and D: $12.45 per m² (≈ $1.16 per sq ft)
- Group C, E and F: $11.53 per m² (≈ $1.07 per sq ft)
- Alterations/renovations, residential occupancies, floor replacement: $13.41 per m² (≈ $1.25 per sq ft)
- In the case of an incomplete application, if the preliminary estimate of the fees required is more than $20,000, then the deposit shall be the greater of $20,000 or an amount equal to 60 per cent of the estimated full Building Permit fees required
Accepted Methods of Payment & Limits
- Building Permit Fees may be paid by cash, cheque, debit card, Visa or MasterCard.
- Payment by Visa, MasterCard or Amex is limited to a maximum of $20,000.00. Any balance of payment may be paid by cash, cheque, or debit card by visiting one of Toronto Building’s customer service counters.
- Payment by personal or company cheque that is less than $2,000.00 must be certified.
- Payment of any applicable Parkland Dedication, Development Charges, Educational Development Charges, or Planning Benefits, including other development related fees, must be made in person and paid by certified cheque only. All cheques are to be made payable to: “The Treasurer – City of Toronto.”
- No permit will be issued until all fees are paid. However, for projects with fees greater than $20,000, a partial permit for excavation and shoring may be issued if the required deposit is made on the Building Permit fee.
- Only if you replace or alter only the life-safety systems of a building, such as sprinklers, fire alarms or maglocks, with no other construction proposed
Fire/Security Upgrades
Where other construction work is proposed, alterations to life-safety systems of an existing building may be included in a Building Permit for additions or alterations. Applications for a Fire Security Upgrades Permits are only required where there is no other construction proposed.
Construction Details and Notes
- Provide relevant construction details and notes, as well as any referenced specifications of the proposed alterations.
Electrical
- Where alterations are proposed to the building fire alarm system, an electrical alarm layout for each floor (including symbol legend) is required.
Floor Plans
- Sprinkler, maglock and fire alarm system layout for each floor with typical details, and appropriate legend.
Sections
- Building sections to show floor to floor, floor to ceiling and overall building heights, where applicable.
Required Forms
Apply by Email
- Please note: not all projects are eligible for email submission. Review the list of eligible applications and detailed email submission process.
- To submit an application by email please use the ‘Email’ button on top of the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.
Fees
Types Fee (per m², unless otherwise stated)
- Electromagnetic Locks: $46.40 each, maximum $463.96
- Emergency Lighting: $54.13/storey, maximum $541.28
- Fire Alarms: $77.32/storey, maximum $773.24
- Fire doors (retrofit): $30.94 each, maximum $463.96
- Sprinklers: $0.60 per m² (≈ $0.06 per sq ft)
- Standpipes (retrofit): $54.13 each, maximum $541.28
- Only if your permit application is in the hospital heliport flightpath areas
Applications for Development within the Hospital Helicopter Flightpath
- On December 5, 2017, pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 5.81 of the Aeronautics Act (Canada), City Council enacted by-law 1432-2017 to regulate the use of lands in the vicinity of St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children.
- Permit applications in the hospital heliport flightpath areas must meet additional submission requirements to demonstrate compliance with by-law 1432-2017.
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Complete the forms8
Submit your application
- To submit an application by email, send your required forms and documentation to bldapplications@toronto.ca.
- Detailed steps for the email submission process are also available to assist in making your application.
- Please do not include any personal information on your Building Plans (e.g., the homeowner’s name or phone number). Building Plans submitted for Permit are subject to disclosure in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Pay the fee
Permit fees shall be calculated based on the formula given below unless otherwise specified in this schedule:
- Permit fee = SI x A, where SI = Service Index for classification of proposed work and A = Floor area in m2 of work involved
- Fee Service Indexes are determined based on the occupancy of the proposed building. See the Toronto Building Fee index for the list of current rates by occupancy and type.
- Minimum fee of $214.79 (2026) shall be charged for all work.
- An hourly fee $92.79 (2026) shall be charged for examination and inspection activities.
Written from Toronto’s own pages as published on 20 October 2026. The municipality decides what a permit needs: confirm with it before you apply. Legal notice