Building Services

Building Department Contact Information

Len Smith - Chief Building Official / By-Law Enforcement Officer
Phone: (613)-267-3311 x2232
Email: cbo@perth.ca

Jon Wilson - Building Inspector / By-Law Enforcement Officer
Phone: (613)-267-3311 x2267
Email: inspection@perth.ca

Building Permit Forms

Listed below are the primary Forms and Guidelines required for the majority of all building projects within the Town of Perth

• Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish
• How to Fill Out a Permit to Construct or Demolish (How to Guide)
• Schedule 1 - Designer Information
• How to Fill out a Schedule 1 Form (How to Guide)
• Energy Efficency Design Summary - Prescriptive
• Energy Efficency Design Summary - Performance
• Commitment to General Review Form
• Environmental Services Signoff  (Required for all new builds)
• Sample Grading and Site Plan
• Plumbing Information Sheet - Residential Buildings (< 3 Storeys)
• Letter of Authorization

Listed below are links to the fees for the Town of Perth.

• Building Permit Fees ** NEW FEES ARE IN EFFECT AS OF AUGUST 31, 2018 **
• Development Charges

Below is a list of common projects, within each link is the minimum documents required to attain a permit for these projects. 

• Building a New Dwelling Unit, Semi Detached or Duplex Unit
• Building a New Detached or Attached Deck, Landing, Verandah or Ramp
• Building a New Detached Garage or Accessory Building
• Finishing a Basement 

• Building Requirements for Low Level Decks (No Footings)
• Building Requirements for All Other Decks (With Footings)
• SB-7 Deck Guard and Interior Guard Guidelines
• Big Foot Foundation Specifications (Installation requirements for approved use)
• How to Properly Splice a Built Up Beam

 Below is a link to E-Laws version of the 2012 Ontario Building Code

• Building Code Act 1992 
• 2012 Ontario Buidling Code

Below is a link to understanding the requirements of a permit when a tent or a group of tents are erected within the Town of Perth.

• Tent Permit Guidelines 

Below are examples of residential projects that require a permit, if unsure please contact the Chief Building Official for direction.

• All new dwellings, duplex, triplex, single detached, semi detached and other similar projects
• All decks, landings, ramps, verandahs, and platforms regardless of size that serve a dwelling unit
• Ateration of deck guard system or handrails on decks and platforms that serve a dwelling or freestanding structure over 10m2
• Detached Sheds, garages and other accessory buildings over 10m2
• Interior renovations (new walls and framing, insulation and vapour barrier, creation of new rooms and similar projects)
• Alteration of plumbing pipes (movement of pipes, reconfiguration, tie in of new vents, new fixture creation and similar projects)
• Temporary Tent placement on residential property for tents over 60m2 in area for special events
• Window and door alterations (elargement of exterior openings for windows and doors)
• Parging and Waterproofing a foundation (blueskin, dimple board, weeper install, stone over weepers and similar projects)
• Changing of a sewer line from road to house
• Change out of a HVAC furnace or installation of an HRV into an existing dwelling
• Exterior Insulation of a house 
• Basment Finishing 
• Fences

Below are examples of non-residential projects that require a permit, if unsure please contact the Chief Building Official for direction.

• Exterior stucco or cladding removal and/or replacement
• Alterations to sprinkler systems and fire alarm components 
• Interior renovations to any existing units 
• Bathroom renovations
• Interior layout changes
• All new construction (additions, new builds etc.)
• Placement of a portable or prebuilt building
• Foundation repairs 
• Landing, deck, ramp and other exterior platform renovations, alterations and installations
• Tent or group of tents over 60m2 in area
• Barrier free alterations within existing units
• HVAC alterations
• Removal or addition of new exit doors, fire separations, firewalls, and other similar projects

Below are examples of projects that do not require a permit, if unsure please contact the Chief Building Official for direction.  Also please be aware that just because a Building Permit is required, that does not exempt owners from complying with Heritage Review and Permit for buildings within the Heritage Conservation District and buildings that are Designated Heritage Buildings.  Please vist the Heritage Page for more information.

• Re-painting
• Putting new siding on a house
• Shingling a roof, putting steel on a roof (as long as you do not have more than 3 current layers of shingles)
• Changing out a toilet, tap, or sink for a new fixture (using the same pluming piping or very minor alterations)
• A free standing structure being built under 10m2 that does not directly serve a dwelling unit (eg. small shed, freestanding deck in a yard, etc.)
• Painting
• Changing of flooring on top of subfloor, laying carpet or vinyl
• Kitchen cupboard changes and alterations
• Landscaping
• Changing of windows and doors in their existing rough openings

• In Ground Pool (fully contained below grade and usually terminate at a max of 6" above grade level)
• Hybrid Pool (Normall half in ground and half above but can be different ratio to in and out of ground.  Normally exceeds 6" of pool above establised grade
• On Ground Pool (fully installed on grade and is usually anywhere from 48-52" above ground level to the top of the pool side)

Click Here for a Pool Permit Application.  This Permit is for your pool and fence installation - (For permit issuance you will need to fill out the form and provide a sketch with the details required on the application.)

NOTE: Any new decks being constructed with a pool require a separate building permit for deck if it is attached to the house, or attached to a deck that serves the house and has access to the pool.  All Ontario Building Code requirements will apply to that new deck or deck extension.  Please see the Deck Building Info section of this page.

Click Here for a Hot Tub Permit Application - (For permit issuance you will need to fill out the form and provide a sketch with the details required on the application.)

NOTE: Any new decks being constructed to support a hot tub require a separate building permit for deck if it is attached to the house, or attached to a deck that serves the house and the hot tub rests upon it.  All Ontario Building Code requirements will apply to that new deck or deck extension that supports the hot tub and a Professional Engineer will need to review and design the deck due to loading of the hot tub being far in excess of the permitted loading prescribed in the 2012 Ontario Building Code.  Please see the Deck Building Info section of this page if the deck is going to be surrounding but not supporting the hot tub for basic deck building guidelines.