New Non-Residential Buildings & Additions
This checklist has been provided to assist in summarizing the typical requirements to obtain a building permit if you plan on to build a new Industrial, Commercial, Institutional building or an addition. Additional information may be required as needed depending on the application type and individual circumstances
All new Industrial, Commercial or Institutional buildings within the Town of Collingwood are subject to site plan controls under the Planning Act. A site plan letter of undertaking or a site plan agreement must be approved and in place prior to submission of a building permit application.
All drawings submitted for building permit applications are required to be prepared and reviewed by a qualified designer, architect, or professional engineer or as outlined in the Ontario Building Code.
All drawings prepared by an architect or professional engineer must be sealed, signed, and dated. A general review, where required by the Ontario Building Code, is to be conducted during construction by an architect or professional engineer.
The Ontario Building Code requires qualified and registered designers, other than architects or professional engineers, who review and take responsibility for design activities to include the following information on all documents submitted:
- The name and Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) of the registered firm
- A statement that the qualified person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities
- The name and BCIN of the qualified person
- The signature of the qualified person
This is the standard building permit application form for all building permits.
This form is to be used only where the Owner is not the Applicant.
This checklist summarizes the most common approvals required
This form summarizes the Architect and/or Professional Engineer's Building Code design assumptions.
Owner commitment to have general review undertaken by Architects and/or Professional Engineers.
This form summarizes the energy efficiency requirements described in the Ontario Building Code Supplementary Standard SB-10, Division 3.
- Approved Site Development Plan (Section 41, Planning Act) and Agreement, if applicable
- Geotechnical Investigation Report
- Site Plan
- Grading / Site Servicing Plan(s)
- Floor Plan (one per floor)
- Foundation, Floor, Framing and Roof Plans
- Building Elevations
- Building Section (min. 1)
- Window Schedule
- Door and Hardware Schedule
- Mechanical Plans (plumbing & HVAC)
- Electrical Plans (general lighting, emergency/exit lighting, and fire alarm system)
- Automatic Sprinkler and Standpipe Drawings where applicable
- On-Site Sewage System Evaluation; if applicable
Unless otherwise specified by the Chief Building Official plans or working drawings showing and detailing the following information shall accompany all building permit applications: A building permit application is not complete until such plans are attached to it.
The Site and Key Plan shall include:
- Property lines and lot area referenced to a current survey
- Location of all existing and proposed buildings including setbacks to property boundary lines, parking spaces, distance to other buildings, and other features in relation to property boundaries
- Overall dimensions of all buildings
- Summary of permitted and proposed zoning provisions
- Location of easements and/or rights-of-way
- Location of septic bed, connection to existing system, septic tank and other equipment
- Key plan showing location of existing and proposed construction
- Barrier free information including depressed curbs, ramps, parking and associated details
- Fire route, fire department connections and fire hydrants
Grading and Drainage Plans shall include:
- The legal description of the property
- The location and orientation of all relevant property lines
- The Location and elevations of controlling benchmark or survey monument.
- The compass orientation of the property
- The location and names of adjacent streets
- The outline of all existing and proposed buildings and structures on the property, the distances between the buildings and the distanced from the buildings to the property lines
- All existing right-of-way and easements
- Existing and proposed grade elevations at all lot corners, midpoints, points of grade change, driveways and drainage structures
- Existing and proposed slope and surface direction runoff, culvert conditions
- Existing and proposed finished floor, top of foundation, underside of footing and basement slab elevations
- Location and elevation of a septic bed where applicable
Floor and Roof Plans shall include:
- Basement floor plan including foundation information and use of space
- Floor plan of every upper level showing use of all spaces
- Floor plan of every upper level showing structural framing above
- Roof truss engineered drawings stamped by a P. Eng.
- Proprietary engineer floor system layout
- Location of all plumbing fixtures
- Location of all solid fuel burning appliances
- Location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Building Sections shall include:
- Floor to floor and floor to ceiling heights
- Footing and foundation wall details including height of grade above basement floor
- Specifications of all floor, wall and roof assemblies, tall wall details
- Shoring and underpinning details
- Stairs, landings, guards and handrails
Architectural Drawings shall include:
- Floor plans identifying rooms including use of all spaces, wall construction and fire separations
- Reflected ceiling plans and associated details
- Roof plan and associated details including any screening requirements for mechanical roof top equipment
- Building elevations
- Building cross sections
- Wall sections and details. Stair sections, plan and details
- Enlarged detail plans and associated details
- Door, window and room finish schedules if not in specifications
Structural Drawings shall include:
- Design information including loading, deflection, wind uplift, earthquake analysis and control flow drainage
- design on roof
- Shoring and underpinning plans and details
- Foundation plan and associated details
- Floor and roof framing plans including beam and column schedule
- Exterior canopy or other structural framing information
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Layout and sizes of duct at each floor level
- Type, location and size of equipment
- Roof plan showing roof mounted equipment
- Details of specialized systems
Mechanical and Electrical Drawings shall include:
- Mechanical drawings are to show the plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning including legends and schedules for compliance with the Building Code. For Part 9 buildings, if room allows this information can be shown on the same plan as the architectural;
- Electrical drawings are to show lighting, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire alarm systems and their legends and schedules for compliance with the Building Code. For Part 9 buildings, if room allows this information can be shown on the same plan as the architectural;
- Sprinkler and Standpipe drawings are to include floor plans and riser diagrams to locate the entire system including connections, sprinkler heads and water entry schematic.
In many instances before a building permit application can be processed and a permit issued, there are approvals from other agencies that may be required. These approvals are not administered by Building Services. Please ensure all required approvals are complete prior to submitting your application using the Applicable Law Checklist.
Building Permit Fees
Building Permit Fee (ft2)
Group A: Assembly Buildings
Group B: Detention, Care & Treatment and Care Buildings
Group D: Business & Personal Service Buildings
Group E: Mercantile Buildings
Group F: Industrial Buildings
Please refer to the following agency websites for applicable development charges:
- Submit the complete permit application and all supporting documents using the Public Portal.
- You must register prior to using the Public Portal.
- Follow the steps when completing your application.
- Credit card payment will be required to pay your fees.
- When your application is successfully submitted through the Public Portal, Staff will complete a pre-screen of your application to review for completeness and compliance with the Building Code and Applicable Law. A status update will be sent via email within mandated timelines.
- You may also view the status under "My Items" on the Public Portal.
- Application review comments are provided during the review to identify any outstanding requirements and to summarize permit fees.
- Permit issued when review is complete and all fees are paid.
We cannot process incomplete applications. We may abandon your application if it is inactive for 6 months or more.
Factors Delaying Permit Processing Time
- Zoning review is completed by the Planning Services Division which is a required Applicable Law. This generally adds an additional 3-5 business days to permit processing time.
- Additional review may be necessary if revisions are requested by your Building Inspector due to incomplete, non-compliant, or unclear drawings.
- Incomplete drawings typically cause the majority of all delays in receiving your building permit. When planning your project, you should consider allocating additional time that may be required for yourself or your designer to revise drawings, and the Building Inspector to review your revised drawings for compliance. This could add several weeks or more depending on availability and complexity.
Please DO NOT include any personal information on your Building Plans (e.g., the homeowner’s name or phone number). Building Plans submitted for Permit are subject to disclosure in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).