Building Permits

A Building Permit is your formal permission to begin construction or demolition. It means that the Municipality has approved your plans for any new structure, addition or renovation. Approved plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code, local By-laws, and other applicable laws and regulations.

Building Permits control types of construction allowed in the community and ensure that minimum building standards are met. The building permit process protects each homeowner's interests, as well as those of the community at large, and provides for the erection and renovation of safe structures.

Permits help ensure that any structural change is safe, legal and sound. It is unlawful to start construction or demolition before you receive and post your Permit in a conspicuous place. An authorized agent may get Permits on your behalf, but remember, it is the owner who is ultimately responsible for complying with all Permit requirements.

Once the review of your application is complete, we will contact you to arrange for payment of the permit. Most permits can be paid for by credit card over-the-phone or in person at City Hall, One Main Street South, Kenora. Contact Customer Service at 807-467-2000.

If you start construction but do not have the necessary permits, you may be ordered to stop work; you could be prosecuted, and even ordered to remove work already done. Contact the building department if you are not sure whether you need a permit for your project. A required septic disposal permit must be issued prior to obtaining a building permit. Permit fees may be subject to surcharges if construction is started without a permit.

Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the approved plans. Inspections are mandatory to be requested, depending on the project. Inspectors must be able to see the part of the work subject to inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection.

It is the responsibility of the owner or an authorized agent to contact the City of Kenora Building Division to request a required inspection. 

If you have an active building permit, please book your inspections through Cloudpermit. 

If you applied for your building permit before Cloudpermit was implemented or before Fall 2023, please contact the Building Department at 807-467-2291 or building@kenora.ca for further information.

Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction to make sure there is compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the approved project plans in your building permit.

The inspection take place at various stages of the project to see anything that will be covered later in the project. Examples of inspection items are:

• footings and foundations

• structural framing

• insulation and vapour barrier

• plumbing

You can apply as the owner of a building or property or a person authorized in writing by the owner to apply for a permit on the owner's behalf. 

The time required for the processing of a building permit application is prescribed in the Ontario Building Code:

• Houses and small buildings with no dwelling above another: 10 working days;
• Most buildings of up to 3 storeys and less than 6,460 square feet: 15 working days;
• Most Complex buildings of over 3 storeys or over 6,460 square feet: 20 working days;
• Post Disaster buildings such as fire halls, police and ambulance stations: 30 working days

The above time limits may not apply if any prescribed information is missing.

Permit plans must contain sufficient information to determine whether the proposed work conforms to all applicable regulations.

A site plan must be referenced to a current plan of survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor must be submitted with the building permit application for any major project.

For minor additions and alterations, site plans showing outlines and dimensions of the property, driveways, existing and proposed buildings may be accepted. Where required by the Ontario Building Code, plans must be prepared, sealed, and signed by an Architect, Professional Engineer, or both.

In all cases, where not prepared by the owner, the designer must provide a Building Code Information Number, (BCIN), issued by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, or a BCDN issued by the Ontario Association of Architects.

Permit applications will not be accepted when the submitted plans are inadequate. Review the standard sample drawings for requirements.

The regulations are in metric, and where imperial measurements are used in your plans you are cautioned that the metric prevails.  

For the installation of any wood-burning appliance, a detailed installation plan and the manufacturer's installation instructions must be submitted.

Other details or plans may be required, such as:

• site plan
• cross section(s)
• elevation views
• structural framing details
• foundation plan
• floor plans
• roof plan for complex designs
• energy efficiency design summary
• mechanical
• electrical
• structural
• fire systems
• drainage and grading plan

Permit plans will be reviewed by Building Inspection staff for compliance with the Zoning By-law, Ontario Building Code and other related standards and by-laws.

As the applicant, it is your responsibility to secure required approvals from other agencies (where applicable), prior to the issuance of a building permit. (e.g. Health Unit Approval for septic systems, or Electrical Safety Authority for electrical permits.) In most cases the other approvals must be in effect prior to a building permit being issued.

The fee for the building permit will depend on the project. The permit fees are calculated in accordance with By-law 42-2024. 

Payments for your building permit are accepted at City Hall, One Main Street South, Kenora.

Building permit applications are now accepted online through the Cloudpermit portal only.