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Building and By-Law Services of the Public Works Department oversee all current building construction activities within the Town of Whitby.

Under the Building Code Act, local governments are given authority for the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code within their municipality. This Section provides all technical review, approval and inspection services for building and plumbing works alike.

Building Permit Applicationtop

Building Permit Activitytop

Building and Plumbing Checklisttop

  1. Do I need a building permit and/or other approvals? (Call Building and Plumbing Department)
  2. Does my project conform to the zoning by-law? (Call the Building and Plumbing Department Section and ask to talk to a Plans Examiner; be prepared to give your street address and property lot and plan number)
  3. Can I prepare the required drawing myself?
    or - Should I hire a professional? (Note: Inadequate drawings can delay the approval process.)
  4. Have I contacted the Building and Plumbing Department to ensure that I have all the required drawings?
  5. In submitting my application do I have:
    1. a completed application form
    2. two sets of building plans
    3. cash or cheque for the building permit fee?

  6. Have I retained my application number for reference?
  7. Have I paid any additional deposits or fees if required.

Building and Plumbing Drawingstop

Contact the Building/Plumbing Department early in the planning stages of your project BEFORE any drawings have been started. You will be required to submit some or all of the following: site plans, floor plans, cross-sections and elevations. Determining the specific requirements for your application can speed up the approval process, and save you time and money.

We currently accept architectural and structural drawings in either imperial or metric measure. However, the Ontario Building Code and Town of Whitby zoning by-laws use metric measurements. Site plans must be metric. Original drawings in pencil are not acceptable, but photocopies of pencilled drawings are fine. If you have any questions, our staff will be happy to assist you.

Pool Enclosurestop

Call Before You Dig!!top

Remember to call the appropriate utilities before you dig:

Cross Sectionstop

A cross-section presents a view of a house along an imaginary cut, showing the structural elements of the building and exposing what is hidden behind the walls. Cross-sections through the proposed and existing structure(s) may be required to show building materials and how they relate to one another. The location of a cross-section is shown by the cross-section symbol on the floor plans.

Elevationstop

Elevations show all views of a building. Elevation drawings may be required for any project which would alter the exterior view of your house.

Floor Planstop

Floor plans provide a "bird's eye view" of the different floors of your house. They show scaled dimensions of the rooms, halls and stairs on each floor, as well as the size, direction and spacing of structural members (joists, beams and lintels, for example.)

Building Inspectionstop

Several inspections are required during construction to ensure that all work is done according to the approved plans. They include the following:

Inspections do not happen automatically. It is your responsibility to ensure that either you or your contractor contacts the town to request an inspection at least 24 hours before work proceeds from one inspection stage to the next. This will ensure that your project proceeds as approved. The reverse side of your building permit has the details. For inspections call (905) 430-4305 x2412.

Other Inspections

Inspections may be required by Ontario Hydro for electrical installations. Call 1-800-305-7383 for information.

Site Plantop

A site plan identifies buildings and other features in relation to property boundaries. The site plan should identify your existing house and proposed changes. Most or all of the information required for a site plan can be found on your property survey. You may have received one when you bought your home. If not, check with the Building/Plumbing Department, some surveys are kept on file. Otherwise, you may have to hire a surveyor.

Zoningtop

Zoning specifies the uses permitted within particular areas and contains regulations governing such things as building setbacks, height, mass and coverage. You should contact a Plans Examiner to determine the specific requirements for your addition or alteration. The examiner requires your street address, lot number and registered plan number to establish the zoning requirements. This information can be found by checking your tax bill.