Building and Renovating
Welcome to the South-West Oxford Building Department
A building permit is a document which grants legal permission to begin construction of any new structure, addition, or renovation. A permit is issued only when the plans for construction comply with the Ontario Building Code, South-West Oxford’s Municipal By-Laws, and other applicable laws and regulations. Building permits are necessary to ensure that zoning requirements, fire and structural safety standards, and other building standards are met (primarily for health and safety reasons). It is the building and or property owner's responsibility to ensure that a building permit is obtained when required.
The Building Department is an administrative division of the Township that enforces the Ontario Building Code Act and Regulations. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is a regulation that is set by the province, and the Township is the administrator of the Regulations.
The building industry is an ever evolving, ever changing industry that is always advancing with new techniques and new ideologies. Construction and building can vary greatly from building to building and, as such, the OBC is not set to be a ‘textbook’ or ‘instruction book’ for how to build as it is a standard to protect the health and safety of the public. The OBC’s main goal is to ensure all persons are protected and safe when in a building or using a space. In 2010, the OBC implemented energy efficiency as a main piece to work towards progressing buildings and their efficiencies.
Property Surveys
Please be advised that the Township is unable to provide copies of land surveys, as legally, a completed survey belongs to the surveyor. If you require a survey for your property, please contact a local land surveyor, or the lawyer you used when your property was originally purchased (as they may have a copy on file).
Land ownership documents may be found on the provincial website, or through the Oxford County Land Registry Office.
Building Permits
Permit Fees
View the new Building Department Fee Schedule
Apply for a Permit Online
The Township uses Cloudpermit, a cloud-based software, for the preparation and issuance of all building permits. We are pleased to offer this service to residents, builders, and our business community. This building permit system allows you to apply for and to see the status of your building (and septic system) permit application anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, receive email updates on the status of your permit application, and even request an inspection.
Thinking about constructing an ARU on your property? BEFORE applying for a permit, review the following documents to determine if your lot is eligible, and if your proposed construction meets current Official Plan (OP) policies:
- Fact Sheets:
- Take the ARU Process Questionnaire to determine if your lot is eligible.
To apply for your permit, follow the steps below:
Create an account |
To create an account, complete the following steps:
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Start an application |
To start an application, complete the following steps:
Once you have completed the above steps, you will see a Summary. If you need to make changes, click "Back". If the information is correct, click "Create". |
Complete a draft application |
Under "General", you will need to complete the following steps:
Under "Attachments", you may be required to provide attachments like site plans, architectural drawings, etc.:
Repeat the steps above for all of the attachments that are required for your application. If at any time you need to change or update the attachments (before submitting your application), you can delete the file by clicking on the garbage can icon and upload it again. |
Sign off on an application |
Once you have completed the previous steps, you are ready to sign off on your application. Submit your application to us by completing the following steps:
You can download a copy of the sign off form at the top of the page. After submission, you will receive:
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Pay for your permit |
We offer a variety of payments options, including:
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Book inspections |
Once you have received your permit and the work is underway, you will require our Building Inspector to visit your site and sign-off on your work at various points in the project.
To determine if your project is ready for inspection, reference the following checklists:
To book an inspection, complete the following steps:
If you need to change the date or time, or cancel the request, select "Modify Request".
If you would like to book an inspection over the phone, please call our Municipal Office: 519-485-0477.
Please note, we require at least 24 hours to book inspections. Inspections are only booked during office hours. |
Tips:
- At any point during the process, you can return to the "My Dashboard" page to see which applications you have made and if our office needs more information to process your application.
- You can delete your application at any time by using the "Select Action" drop-down menu at the top of the page.
- Use Cloudpermit Support for answers to frequently asked questions.
When is a permit needed? |
Building permits are required for the construction or alteration of any building occupying an area greater than ten square metres (108 square feet) consisting of a walk, roof, and floor or a structural system serving the function thereof including all plumbing works, fixtures, and service systems appurtenance thereto. |
Why do I need a permit for my own property? |
Permits are required to not only protect yourself and other normal users of the space, but to protect the public that may enter into a space or protect future owners and users of the space or building. If a person does work or makes changes to a space or building without a permit; that person, company, or owner may become liable for any future problems or issues that may arise. The process of obtaining a permit is to protect the health and safety of the public for the duration of the building’s life. |
What projects require a building permit? |
This list is not limited to these items only.
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What projects do not require a building permit? |
This list is not limited to these items only.
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How do I apply for a building permit? |
Our office uses Cloudpermit software for the preparation and issuance of all building permits in the municipality. Please see the information under the Cloudpermit Software heading for how to apply for a building permit. |
Related Topics |