A person in a long sleeved plaid shirt tightens a cuff on a plumbing pipe.

Apply By ePermit

Outage Notification: The City's Online Application System will be unavailable between 10:00 pm and midnight on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Need help? Understand when a building permit applies to your building or renovation project. Read The FAQ

Homeowners

If you're planning to take on your own project, you can apply for permits directly though the City.

The applies to common home improvement projects such as building a deck, adding a garage, finishing a basement, or creating a secondary suite.

A building permit is not required for:

  • fences, sidewalks, and planters
  • retaining walls that are less than 1.2 m in height
  • painting, decorating, and general maintenance
  • minor repairs, using the same or similar materials, for maintenance that does not affect any electrical or mechanical work
Apply Online

Residential Project Contractors

Contractors hired to perform residential work can apply for permits here, allowing you to move forward with your project confidently and in compliance with City regulations.

Apply Online

Commercial Project Contractors

Contractors hired to perform commercial work can apply for permits here, allowing your project to move ahead smoothly and in compliance with City regulations.

Apply Online

If you are experiencing an issue with the new ePermit application process, please let us know.

 

Alternative Construction Permit Submission Process

How to Apply for a Building Permit Paperless In Person:

  • Fill out a Building Permit Application form
  • Gather supporting documents on a USB key 
  • Drop off your building permit application form and USB key to a DES clerk at 105 Seymour Street (2nd floor).
    • A clerk will review your application and a document checklist to determine if further documents are needed.
    • The clerk will accept your USB key as part of the submission package and your documents will be digitized and filed in a digital folder created for your application.
  • You will be notified of status updates throughout the application process. Once the permit is approved, you may pick up your USB key containing its original contents plus a new folder containing digital versions of the permit and any necessary approved documents.