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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.

New Building Permit Fees Effective January 1, 2023

At their meeting on December 6th, 2022, Council passed By-law 67-2022 - a By-law to amend By-law No. 33-2015 to provide for the administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code Act.  As a result, Schedule "A" - Building Department Permit Fees was amended and replaced. 

Bylaw 67-2022 and the amended permit fees come into full force and effect as of January 1st, 2023.

View the new Building Department Fee Schedule (By-law 67-2022).

Permits: Cloudpermit Software

Our office uses Cloudpermit software for the preparation and issuance of all building permits in the municipality. 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.

 Create an account

 To create an account, complete the following steps:

  1. Go to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com).
  2. Click on "create new account" found under the "continue" arrow.
  3. Enter your email address.
  4. You will then receive an email from Cloudpermit. Open that email to complete the registration process.
  5. Next time you visit the Cloudpermit site, login using the email and password you created using the steps above.
 Start an application

 To start an application, complete the following steps:

  1. Go to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com).
  2. Click "apply for a permit" in the upper righthand corner.
  3. Create a new project and give it a name (some combination of your address and project type may help you keep track, if you are applying for multiple permits).
  4. Once you click "next", you can provide the location of where the project will take place. You can find your property by typing in the address, roll number, or by finding it on a map. Once you have found the correct location, click "next".
  5. Select the "Application Type" and "Category" before selecting "next" again.

 

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:

  1. Under "Parties to the Application", you may add email addresses for any other people or companies that should have access to the application.
  2. Under "Application Data", indicate what type of work you are doing and the type of building you will be working on. Once you do this, additional forms you need will appear.
  3. Click on the forms and enter the required information.

 

Under "Attachments", you may be required to provide attachments like site plans, architectural drawings, etc.:

  1. Click on "Attachments" to see what is required for your project.
  2. Upload your items by dragging them into the grey box or by using the "Click Here" button to upload them from your computer.
  3. Once you have uploaded the files, select the type of attachment before selecting "Done".

 

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:

  1. Click the "Sign Off" button at the top righthand side of the page.
  2. Review the items listed and indicate if you agree with the terms.
  3. Click "sign off on application" and your application will be submitted to us.

 

You can download a copy of the sign off form at the top of the page. After submission, you will receive:

  • An email to confirm your application has been submitted.
  • Subsequent emails regarding its status.
  • An email when your building permit is ready for pickup and how to pay.
 Pay for your permit

 We offer a variety of payments options, including:

  • Telephone and Internet banking.
  • EFT (electronic funds transfer).
  • Cash, debit, or cheque at the Township Office.
 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 book an inspection, complete the following steps:

  1. Login to the Cloudpermit site (ca.cloudpermit.com) and select "Go to Project" under the project requiring an inspection.
  2. Select the application by clicking the address. A page will appear with the details of your project's location. At the bottom of that page, you will see the heading "Work & Construction" and a box titled "Inspections".
  3. Click on "Show Upcoming Inspections" and select "Request Inspection" under the building element you are ready to have reviewed.
  4. Under the "New Inspection Request" that appears, select the date and time you would like to request.
  5. You will see the unconfirmed request listed. Once our staff receive your request, you will get an email confirmation for the inspection.

 

If you need to change the date or time, or cancel the request, select "Modify Request". 

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.

  • Detached garage, shed, or accessory structure 108 square feet or greater in size (measured to the outside face of exterior walls).
  • Attached garage, carport, shed, or other roof structure of any size.
  • Decks greater than 24 inches above grade.
  • Finishing the basement of a house or adding a bedroom to the basement.
  • Additions to a building.
  • Enclosures for swimming pools with a depth of 24 inches or greater (including temporary or inflatable pools).
  • Creating a duplex/additional dwelling/apartment (a.k.a. in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat, etc.)
  • Plumbing fixtures added or relocated.
  • Removing a load bearing wall, column, lintel, or beam.
  • Re-insulating walls, ceilings, or floors.
  • Wood stove or wood burning fireplace.
  • Installing a new window or door when increasing the width of the existing opening.
  • Retaining wall that is greater than three feet and three inches in height, pending location.
  • Solar panels that are mounted to a building.
  • Site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types.
  • New residential dwellings.
  • Demolition of a structure greater than 108 square feet in building area, except for farm buildings.
  • Tent or a group of tents that is more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building, or constructed within three metres (nine feet and 10 inches) of any structure.
  • Industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential construction or alterations, or changes of use.
  • Backflow prevention device for lawn irrigation systems connected to potable water.
  • Farm buildings, including: barns; bins; bunker silos; silos; sheds; etc.
 What projects do not require a building permit?

This list is not limited to these items only.

  • Structure less than 108 square feet measured from the outside face of the walls (that does not contain plumbing).
  • Gas fireplace.
  • Fence (must comply with zoning regulations).
  • Water softener installations.
  • Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
  • Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed, or has no fire resistance rating).
  • Installing new shingles on an existing roof.
  • Replacing a plumbing fixture (i.e. toilet, bathtub, or sink) with a new fixture in the same location.
 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.

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  • South-West Oxford Development Charges Pamphlet
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