Toronto Building Permit Index

Yes. Toronto requires a permit to install a backwater valve.

Adding a second dwelling unit in an existing house follows Toronto’s secondary suite building permit route.

Yes. Toronto has a dedicated building-permit route for constructing a new residential basement entrance.

It depends on what you change, not simply on the fact that the work is in a basement.

Underpinning an existing house foundation requires a building permit.

Yes. Toronto says a change of use can require a building permit even when no construction is proposed.

A permit is required when a deck is more than 60 cm (24 in) above ground. Some lower uncovered platforms can be exempt if all conditions are met.

Yes when the work widens or alters a driveway across City property. Toronto requires a Street Work Permit before that work, and zoning or front-yard parking rules can add a separate approval check.

Fence rules are driven more by height, location and lot context than by a standard building-permit flow.

Toronto has a dedicated permit application route for a garage or carport accessory to a house.

A new garden suite follows a dedicated Toronto building permit route.

A home addition generally requires formal review, and zoning can determine whether the proposed size and placement are permitted.

Use the interior alterations route when proposed work in a small residential building needs a building permit.

Yes. A new laneway suite requires a building permit.

It depends on the HVAC work. Toronto has a stand-alone Mechanical (HVAC) permit route, while some common equipment changes in a house are listed as not requiring a building permit.

Yes. Toronto has a building-permit route for converting an existing house to a duplex, triplex, fourplex, fiveplex or sixplex.

A building permit is required to construct a new detached, semi-detached or row house in Toronto.

New or modified plumbing systems can require a permit. Simple repair or replacement of existing plumbing fixtures is listed as permit-exempt.

Yes for most outdoor pools and similar swimming structures. Toronto requires a Pool Fence Enclosure Permit, with a zoning certificate first.

Yes. Demolishing all or part of a building requires a permit. Toronto has a specific residential demolition route when a replacement house is planned.

It depends on height and where the wall is located or accessible.

Usually not for a straight roofing-material replacement with no structural work. Structural roof changes can change the answer.

Sometimes. Size and construction can change the permit question, while zoning can still control placement even when a permit is not required.

Some skylight installations do not require a building permit when Toronto's listed small-building and structural conditions are met.

It depends on the system. Toronto says rooftop solar greater than 5 m² needs a building permit, while free-standing ground-mounted solar generally does not require a building permit but must follow zoning.

Toronto says a building permit is not required to install a sump pump.

Yes when the work is a structural or material alteration. Toronto specifically lists adding or removing walls as permit-required work.

It depends. New openings, enlarged openings and relocated windows or doors require a building permit. Some same-opening replacements in houses are exempt.