Window and door permits by city | BuildRules

The rule changes by municipality

Start with the city where the property is located.

Brampton, OntarioYes. Brampton lists new or enlarged window and door openings among its residential building permit application packages.

The City treats an opening change as regulated construction and requires the residential permit package and supporting drawings.

Open Brampton rules

Cambridge, OntarioCambridge lists new or altered windows and doors, such as increasing an opening size, among typical permit-required projects.

The permit question is tied to modifying the opening and structure rather than simple finish work.

Open Cambridge rules

Hamilton, OntarioHamilton lists creating new window or door openings, increasing opening size and relocating openings as permit-required work.

Opening changes can affect structure, lintels and exterior-wall requirements. The permit is based on the construction change, not the product replacement alone.

Open Hamilton rules

Mississauga, OntarioA new window or door, or increasing an existing opening, requires a permit. Same-size replacement is listed as permit-exempt.

The key distinction is whether the opening itself changes. Structural framing, lintels and property conditions can become part of the permit review when a new or larger opening is proposed.

Open Mississauga rules

Oakville, OntarioOakville lists new windows and increasing the size of an existing window as permit-required; same-size window and door replacement is permit-exempt.

The important distinction is whether the structural opening changes.

Open Oakville rules

Ottawa, OntarioOttawa lists new windows, enlarged windows and relocated window or door openings as building-permit work.

The permit trigger is tied to altering the opening and structure, not merely changing finishes or hardware.

Open Ottawa rules

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

For a detached, semi-detached or row house containing one dwelling unit, Toronto says replacement in an existing opening can be permit-exempt when the opening size and location stay the same, structural support is unaffected and no new exit is created.

Open Toronto rules

Vaughan, OntarioA permit is required for a new exterior door or window opening or when increasing the width of an existing opening; existing like-for-like replacements are listed as permit-exempt.

Vaughan requires site/property context plus elevation and structural information when the opening changes.

Open Vaughan rules

Why BuildRules separates cities

Ontario sets the Building Code. Municipal rules, zoning, processes and project guidance still differ.

We publish a city only after attaching municipal sources to the project answer. Missing coverage stays missing instead of borrowing another city’s rule.