The Building Services multi-disciplined team of technical and administrative staff is committed to satisfy the needs of our customers and promote safety of buildings through the application of appropriate uniform building standards. Our Inspectors and Plans Examiners are qualified professionals with extensive knowledge of the Building Code, and other applicable laws and regulations.
Our counter is located on the lower floor of Town Hall and is accessible during regular hours of operation (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If you would like to meet with any of our Building staff in person, we recommend that you contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2300 prior to your visit to request an appointment to ensure their availability.
Zoning
Zoning information |
| The Zoning Section administers the Zoning By-laws and participates in the approval process of building permits and development applications. Staff ensures that all applicable law listed in the Ontario Building Code, Section 1.4.1.3., including municipal Zoning By-laws are complied with prior to the issuance of Building Permits.
Properties that are in the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area (The Plan Area is identified on Schedule A1 of By-law 2010-0050) are not subject to the local Zoning by-laws. For further information you should contact the Niagara Escarpment Commission at 905-877-5191. To view mapping and property information, the interactive application, MapLinks, is available. You may search for an address and turn on layers as applicable (including Civic Address, Parcel Assessment, and Zoning). If applying for a building permit application, please ensure that you submit a completed Applicable Law Declaration form at time of application. Other Zoning Section duties include:
For further information on Zoning and Applicable Law please contact the Zoning Officer. |
Building and zoning compliance letters |
| Compliance letters and written response memos are services provided by the Zoning Section of the Building Services Division. A Compliance letter provides information of the building and zoning status of the property with respect to matters such as:
If a survey is provided (or on file), comments will be provided regarding the survey's compliance with the requirements of the Zoning By-law. A Written Response letter provides a formal response to a specific request on a property such as:
To request one of the above responses for a property:
For more information on Compliance letters please contact the Zoning Officer. |
Permits and applications
Building Permits |
| The Building Code Act requires that a building permit be obtained for the construction, demolition, or change of use of buildings. It is illegal to construct or demolish a building without first obtaining a permit. Building permits are issued to ensure that proposed work complies with the structural, fire, and health requirements of the Ontario Building Code and other applicable provincial and municipal regulations. Building permits are requiredBuilding permits are required for, but not limited to, the following:
Notes: 1 Decks: please refer to the Deck Permit Application Guide. 2 Not including sheds not greater than 15m² (161.5 square feet). 3 A building permit is required for the installation of an air conditioning unit for all buildings except for a house 4 A building permit is required for a tent or a group of tents that is more than 60m2 in aggregate area, attached to a building area or constructed closer than 3m from other buildings/structures. For more information, please see the OBC requirements. Building permits are not requiredBuilding permits are not required for the following:
Note: 1 Please contact Building Services to clarify building permit requirements: a Building permit is generally required for a building occupying an area greater than 10m2. However, depending on specific designs, a building permit may be required for a building occupying an area of 10m2 or less (i.e. roof extensions, a building containing plumbing, etc.). For all of the above projects that do not require a building permit you are still required to comply with the requirements of the Town of Halton Hills Zoning By-law. |
Building Permit Application |
| We are now fully digital and will be accepting building permit applications exclusively in electronic format. To apply online, please select the below "Submit Your Application" button. Building Permit Application Submit Your Application The official provincial "Application to Construct or Demolish" must be used for all permit applications for construction or for demolition. In support of the application for a building or demolition permit, the applicant must submit design documentation relevant to the proposed work. Prior to the issuance of a building permit staff review submitted design documentation (i.e. structural, architectural, mechanical, fire protection, plumbing, etc.) applicable to a specific application, to ensure compliance with the technical requirements of the Ontario Building Code. The Council approved Building By-law (Schedule B - Part A and Part B) provides detailed information respecting the documentation requirements for all application types. Ontario has released a new 2024 Building Code replacing O.Reg. 332/12. The new 2024 Ontario Building Code, O.Reg. 163/24 will come into effect January 1, 2025. Depending on the classification of the proposed work, you may require an Integrated System Testing form. Please use the following forms to determine the size of the water service piping required for a New House or for Additions and Alterations of Existing Houses (including the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units). A Commitment to General Review form will be required for all Part 3 designs. For proposed Alternative Solutions, the Application for Approval of an Alternative Solution form must be completed and submitted. The following are "Complete Application Checklists" which provides lists of requirements (including design documentation and Applicable law) applicable to the majority of project types:
If an application is not made by the property owner, an Owner's Authorization form must be provided. The appropriate building permit fee is required to be paid at the time of application. Please see Building Permit Fees for all applicable fees. The Ontario Building Code includes an explicit list of applicable laws that must be complied with prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. Compliance with the applicable law may need to be demonstrated by submitting various agencies approvals (i.e. conservation authorities' approval). If applying for a building permit application, please ensure that you submit a completed Applicable Law Declaration form at time of application. For information regarding applicable laws please contact the Zoning Officer. For any revisions made to issued permit drawings and documentation after the date of permit issuance, a Revision Application form is required to be completed and submitted with all proposed changes clearly shown and highlighted on the drawings. |
Building Inspections |
| Upon the issuance of a building or demolition permit, Building Services Inspection staff perform inspections to ensure that the construction and/or demolition work complies with the documentation on the basis of which a permit is issued. All inspections applicable for the proposed work will be listed on the respective building permit card. Inspectors also perform building investigations of illegal construction and inspect potentially unsafe buildings. Building Inspections can be scheduled through our online inspection request form or contact the Inspection Coordinator at 905-873-2600 ext. 2922. Submit request before 3 p.m. for next day inspections. |
Pool enclosure permits and applications |
PermitsUnder the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, the Town of Halton Hills passed the Pool Enclosure By-law No. 2009-0028. As regulated under this By-law, owners of privately-owned swimming pools are required to erect and maintain enclosures around their pools. Building Services Division of the Transportation and Public Works Department is responsible for the issuance of pool enclosure permits and associated inspections. ApplicationsAll pool enclosure permit applications are to be submitted to the Transportation and Public Works Department, Building Division with the following documentation:
Pool enclosure inspection is required upon completion of the pool enclosure and before the pool is filled with water. Inspections can be scheduled through our online inspection request form, or contact the Inspection Coordinator at 905-873-2600 ext. 2922. Submit request before 3 p.m. for next day inspections. For more information please see: Inquiries should be directed to 905-873-2600, ext. 2925. |
Registration of additional residential units (ARU) |
| On November 28, 2022, the Province of Ontario changed the Planning Act to permit additional residential units as-of-right in urban areas that have municipal water and sewage servicing. These changes are intended to increase housing supply in the province. What are additional residential units (ARU)?
ARUs, as defined by the Planning Act, refer to a second and a third residential unit in addition to a primary residential unit, for a total of three units, on a residential lot containing a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse. ARUs are also referred to as second units, secondary suites, accessory dwelling units, basement apartments, coach houses, laneway houses, garden suites, tiny homes, granny flats, in-law apartments or nanny suites. Provincial legislation, the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, gives municipalities the authority to pass and enforce by-laws. For more information on the registration process please see:
For Zoning requirements contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. For all other application inquiries contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. |
Additional Residential Unit (ARU) public registry |
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Other information
Submit a Building Complaint |
| The Building Code Act requires that a building permit be obtained for the construction, demolition, or change of use of buildings. It is illegal to construct or demolish a building without first obtaining a permit. If you believe that any construction work has begun prior to obtaining a building permit and wish to report it, please fill out a Building Complaint form. Building Services does not take anonymous complaints. All information is collected and protected under the MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). |
Signs |
Permanent signs and sign variancesA Building Permit is required for a Permanent Sign and must comply with the Town of Halton Hills Sign By-law.
A variance process is available where the sign cannot be erected in compliance with the by-law. The process takes approximately 3 months. The Town has no jurisdiction on Regional roads or provincial highways. Permanent Signs on private property adjacent to provincial highways require a permit from the Ministry of Transportation before a Town of Halton Hills' Permit can be issued. Portable signsA Portable Sign Permit is required for a temporary sign. For further information regarding Portable Signs please contact 905-873-2600 Ext. 2330. |
Rural municipal addresses |
| Green and white reflective rural municipal address blades are available from F.L. Signs Ltd., located at 14030 Steeles Avenue, 905-878-8549. All fees for the blades are paid to F.L. Sign Inc. Rural property owners are encouraged to erect the reflective green and white blades, which are easily identified by Emergency Response Personnel rather than municipal addresses of other colours or material.
Sign specifications:
Please note that your Rural Municipal Street Address should be attached to a post which is clearly visible from both sides of the street. Numbers should not be placed on your house as they may not be clearly visible from the street. The sign should be adjacent to your property line at your driveway.
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Request for documentation |
| Copies of surveys and documentation may be available for property owners or those with the owner's authorization. To obtain the documentation, email Building Services and attach the filled out Request for Documentation form: Request for documentation form For surveys, if the requester cannot obtain the owner’s authorization, they can:
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Design snow load |
| Environment Canada has provided the Town with the following information respecting the ground snow load zones for the Town of Halton Hills area:
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Forms and Guides |
FormsGuides |
FAQ |
PermitsWhy is a Building Permit required?Building Permits are required to ensure zoning requirements (contained in municipal by-laws) and building safety standards (contained in the Ontario Building Code) are satisfied. The Ontario Building Code is a Provincial regulation administered by the Housing Development and Buildings Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Under the Building Code Act, local governments are given authority for the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code Act within their municipality. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. When is a Building Permit required?A Building Permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, renovations, relocations, and repairs of a building. A permit is also required for demolition and change of use of buildings. Some minor repairs do not require a permit. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What can result from not obtaining a Building Permit?Costly repairs may be required to gain compliance or work not done in compliance must be removed. The Building Permit application fee may be increased. Legal action may be initiated to gain compliance. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What is the required documentation to apply for a Building Permit?The following documentation is required for permit application of the majority of small projects: A completed building permit application form. An Owner's Authorization form, if the applicant is not an owner. Building Permit fee (must be paid at the time when application is submitted). Applicable design documentation/drawings. Site/plot plan drawings showing the location of proposed and existing buildings on the property. Other fees (Damage Deposit and Development Charges, if applicable). Other project specific documentation/information. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What are Applicable Laws?Applicable Laws are various relevant laws that have to be complied with before a Building Permit can be issued. The Ontario Building Code Act lists more than 40 Applicable Laws. Some of the Applicable Laws include: Local Zoning By-laws, Conservation Authority regulations, Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, Development Charges Act, Heritage Act, etc. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. Is a Designer required to be qualified?The Ontario Building Code requires designers to be registered or qualified. The Code also lists a number of exemptions to the qualification requirements. For example, an owner may design their own house or an accessory building without being qualified. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. Do I need to hire an architect or professional engineer?Detailed and scaled drawings are required for all permits. It depends on the size and type of buildings, whether or not an architect and/or a professional engineer is required. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. How long does it take to get a building permit issued?After all required documentation is submitted, the building permit fee paid and all Applicable Laws are met, the Ontario Building Code dictates that building permits be issued within a certain time frame, which varies between 10 and 30 business days, depending on the type of permit. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What is the process for building inspections?Once a building permit has been issued, it is the building permit holders responsibility to request/schedule all mandatory inspections that apply to the specific project. All required inspections are listed on the building permit card. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2922. Do I require any permits from the Town for putting in a pool or hot tub?A pool enclosure permit is required by By-Law 2009-0028 for the construction of a pool enclosure fence around one of or a combination of an inground pool, above ground pool, or a hot tub. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What is the required documentation to apply for a pool enclosure permit?All pool enclosure permit applications are to be submitted to the Building division with the following documentation: a completed Pool Enclosure Permit Application Form, Owner’s Authorization form if applicant is not the owner, a plot plan/site plan, complete details of any existing fence(s) and gate(s) proposed to be part of the pool enclosure including photographs, pool enclosure permit fee, written approvals from Commissioner(s) of Recreation and Parks and Transportation & Public Works for the proposed construction and access from any Town-owned property, written approval of the Developer or owner of the subdivision if the proposed Pool is within an unassumed plan of subdivision, and a refundable damage deposit fee. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What signs require a building permit?Except for signs regulating traffic, signs in display windows, signs painted directly on the building, and signs subject to municipal approval, a building permit is required for the installation of all other permanent signs. Professional Engineers shall design the sign structures that are not supported by a building. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. Who do I contact with my questions about the Sign By-law and signs?Please contact the Community Standards Coordinator at 905-873-2600 ext. 2330. How do I obtain a survey of my property?You can obtain a copy of your survey through our Request for Information process. You either need to be the current owner of the property, or able to obtain a signature of authorization from the current owner. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2300. Additional Residential Units (ARU)What is an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)?In the Town of Halton Hills an ARU means a self-contained residential dwelling unit with its own cooking facility, sanitary facility, living and sleeping area, and that it is located either within the principal dwelling, or within an accessory building or structure on the same lot as the principal dwelling. A common example is a basement apartment. A maximum of two (2) ARUs may be located within a principal dwelling provided no building or structure ancillary to the principal dwelling contains any residential dwelling units; or a maximum of one (1) ARU may be located within a principal dwelling and one (1) ARU may be located within an accessory building or structure on the same property ancillary to the principal dwelling. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. What are the requirements for the registration of Additional Residential Units (ARU)?Under the Town of Halton Hills By-law No. 2023-0060, the occupancy of an ARU is not permitted unless the ARU is registered as required by said By-law. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. Why does an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) need to be registered?The Town of Halton Hills By-law No. 2023-0060 requires the registration. Registration of an ARU legalizes its existence and ensures that a property complies with all applicable codes and standards. Accordingly, these dwelling units must be inspected by the Town and the Electrical Safety Authority to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards. The process is designed to protect the owner, as well as the inhabitants, of the ARU from unnecessary hazards. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. Is there a fee for registering an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)?Yes, there is a fee for the required inspections by the Town. Payment is required at the time of making the application. The fee is listed in the town's user fee By-law. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. How does the zoning for a property apply to the registration of an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)?Prior to creating an application to register an Additional Residential Unit for a specific property, the property owner needs to confirm that the Town of Halton Hills Zoning By-law permits Additional Residential Units as a land use for the subject property. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. Can an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) be located on any residential property?There is no longer a minimum lot frontage provision. On a fully serviced residential property a maximum of two additional residential units are permitted. The ARU can occupy no more than 40 percent or 110 square metres (whichever is lesser), or the entire floor area of a basement, provided the parking can be provided in accordance with the By-law. 2 parking spaces are required for the main unit, and 1 parking space for each ARU. Parking spaces are required to be a minimum 2.75 metres x 5.5 metres. Driveway/landscaping provisions in Part 5 of By-law 2010-0050 shall apply. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. What is the procedure for the registration of an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) once it has been determined that the use of an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) is in compliance with the Town?An application needs to be completed and submitted for review. This application shall include a site plan showing the lot configuration, the lot frontage measurement, the house location and 2 parking spaces for the main unit, and 1 parking space for each ARU. Parking spaces are required to be minimum 2.75 metres x 5.5 metres. Driveway/ landscaping provisions in Part 5 of By-law 2010-0050 shall apply. There must also be drawings showing all exterior entrances to the house, the secured entrances to each dwelling unit, room uses and sizes including each room area calculation, ceiling heights in each room, window sizes including all window area calculations and what percentage of the room floor area the window is, the total floor area of the second unit and the exterior dimensions of the house. The common areas of the dwelling are to be shaded. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2925. ZoningWhat are the zoning services in the Town of Halton Hills?Assignment of municipal addresses; Issuance of building and zoning compliance letters; Review of building permit applications for compliance with Zoning By-laws and Other Applicable Laws; Commenting on Planning Development Applications for Re-Zoning, Site Plans, Official Plan Amendments; General Inquiries about Zoning and Other Applicable Laws; Land Use and other related matters. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. What is the zoning of a specific property and its permitted uses?There are different area Zoning By-laws that apply to lands within the Town of Halton Hills. To view mapping and property information, the interactive application, MapLinks, is available. You may search for an address and turn on layers as applicable (including Civic Address, Parcel Assessment, and Zoning). For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. What is the difference between the local Zoning By-laws and Niagara Escarpment Regulations?Both regulate land use, but the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act and Niagara Escarpment Development Control Regulation is a Provincial development control statute, which supersede any local Zoning By-laws. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. What does a Zoning By-law regulate?Prohibit the use of land or buildings for any use that is not specifically permitted by the by-law; Prohibit the erection or siting of buildings and structures on a lot except in locations permitted by the by-law; Regulate the type of construction and the height, bulk, location, size, floor area, spacing and use of buildings or structures; Regulate the minimum frontage and depth of a parcel of land; Regulate the proportion of a lot that any building or structure may occupy; Regulate the minimum elevation of doors, windows or other openings and buildings or structures; Require that parking and loading facilities be provided and maintained for a purpose permitted by the by-law; Prohibit the use of lands and the erection of buildings or structures on land that is subject to flooding, the site of steep slopes, rocky, low lying, marshy or unstable, contaminated, a sensitive groundwater recharge area or headwater area, the location of a sensitive aquifer, a significant wildlife habitat area, wetland, woodland, ravine, valley, or area of natural and scientific interest, a significant corridor or shoreline of a lake, river or stream; or, the site of a significant archaeological resource. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. How does one determine what uses are permitted in a particular Zone?The maps attached to the zoning by-law identify the zone for properties in the Town. When you look in the by-law for the zone you will see "Permitted Uses" tables that list the building types or uses permitted in a particular zone and then indicate what standards apply. "Special Provisions" that may affect the use of the property follow each Permitted Uses. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. Where can one access standards for minimum lot area, minimum frontage requirements, minimum yard requirements, maximum permitted height of buildings and in some cases the minimum required landscaped open space on the lot?In the zoning by-law these standards are displayed in a "Zone Standards" table. "Special Provisions" that may affect these standards follow each "Zone Standards" table. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. Does the Zoning By-law regulate parking and loading requirements?Yes, Part 5 of By-law 2010-0050 provides parking and loading requirements for all uses. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. What is a "Holding Provision"?Where a zone symbol is followed by the letter (H), no person shall use the land to which the letter (H) applies for any use other than the use which legally existed on the date the by-law applying the holding provision came into effect, or expand or replace an existing building or structure, as the case may be until the (H) is removed. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2900. What is an "Official Plan"?An Official Plan contains goals, objectives and policies established primarily to manage and direct physical change and the effects on the social, economic and natural environment of a municipality or part of it, or an area that is without a municipal organization. The Region of Halton has an Official Plan which takes precedence over the Town of Halton Hills Official Plan and any zoning by-law must comply with the provisions contained in both the Region of Halton and the Town of Halton Hills Official Plans. Zoning Officer 905-873-2600 ext. 2320 How do I get a compliance letter and how long does it take?A compliance letter is often required as a condition of a property sale to determine if there are any outstanding permits or infractions. You can apply for a compliance memo on our website. Allow 10 working days for a response. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2320. How do I get relief from a provision of the Zoning By-law?Relief may be granted by the Town by either a Minor Variance or by a Zoning Amendment. Approval of a minor variance or an amending by-law is required and must be final and binding. For further information, please contact 905-873-2600 ext. 2900. |