Building And Renovating
Standards
Find out information on the Town’s Building Permit Process, as well as Applicable Law, Building Guides and Sample Drawings, and Municipal Pool Permits.
Applicable Law
Use our Applicable Law Appendices to find out which agency approvals that you need before we can issue a building permit. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper approvals.
Make sure that you have the necessary development and planning approvals before applying for a building permit.
When adding a structure to your property Engineering typically reviews the lot grading. When considering to bring in fill please consider our Site Alteration By-Law.
Before you make any changes, confirm that your house is not designated as a Heritage property by checking the Register of Designated Properties list.
Depending on your project and its location, a permit may be required from a conservation authority. We will help you determine which conservation authority you need to contact.
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority helps with development, planning and permits
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority provides landowner assistance, permits and regulations
Building Permit Application Process
Current Building Department Permit Application and Inspection Protocol
Building permits ensure that your project and all the changes you make are safe and legal. Find out what’s required, our fees and more.
You must obtain a building permit if you’re planning to build new, demolish, renovate, repair or add onto a building or structure.
Building
Examples of when a building permit is required includes but is not limited to:
- A new building or structure that is larger than 15 square metres (161 square feet)
- An addition or sunroom that’s attached to a building or structure
- Agricultural buildings
- A pre-fabricated building/structure, which is greater than 15 square metres
- Any building or structure that contains plumbing regardless of size
- Any plumbing or HVAC work
Garages, Foundations, and Basements
You will need a building permit if you’re excavating a basement or constructing a foundation, or if you are converting an attached garage into a liveable space. You also need a building permit if you’re installing:
- A door between an attached garage and a house or its basement
- An exterior staircase for basement access
Load-Bearing Walls and Beams
You will need a building permit anytime you:
- Install, change, remove or move load-bearing walls and beams
- Install new openings in load-bearing walls, exterior walls or change the size of doors and windows
- Install a skylight in the roof of a building/structure
Decks
You need a permit to build a wood deck greater than 600 mm (23-5/8 inches) in height above ground level. This includes decks around private swimming pools and if you’re adding a roof over a wood deck.
On-Site Sewage, Heat, and Air Conditioning Systems
Installing or modifying a septic system, water service, sewer line, heating system, air-conditioning system, fireplaces, or wood-stoves requires a building permit, as well as:
- Installing or repairing a chimney
- Installing, renovating or modifying plumbing fixtures or plumbing systems
- Constructing, renovating or repairing a sewage system, septic tank or septic field
Secondary Accessory Dwelling Units
If you are contemplating constructing a secondary dwelling unit please confirm the property’s zoning with the Planning Department. If your property is located within a Conservation Authority further authorization may be required.
Effective February 16, 2026, you are required to use the updated Ministry form for building permit applications.
If you are applying for a permit to finish your basement, you may be required to fill out the Single Dwelling Unit Declaration form:
Non-residential projects may need to include:
Amendment to an existing issued permit:
View our “What You Should Know About Building Permits” guide for the drawings and documentation you’ll need to prepare.
Building Permit Fees
Full permit fees are calculated based on our Building Permit By-Law Fee Schedule and currently collected at the end of the permitting process when your permit is ready to be issued. Other fees can include:
Fire Services fees
Current Application Procedure
We are currently accepting digital applications.
- Please email your application to building@newtecumseth.ca;
- Drawings shall be submitted digitally and be in a PDF format. The drawings shall be scaled and legible. Pictures of drawings will not be accepted. Building staff will circulate digital applications to the required internal departments (Planning, Engineering, Fire, Finance) for their approvals and/or comments.
Registered Owner of the Property
If you submit an application but you are not the registered owner of the property, include a letter of authorization from the registered owner of the property.
Building Guides and Sample Drawings
Building a new accessory building on your property? Check the height, location and size restrictions with the Planning and the Zoning By Law.
An accessory building/structure is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit provided that:
- the accessory structure is not more than 15m2
- it is not more than one storey in building height
- it is not attached to a building or any other structure
- it is only used for storage purposes
- it does not have plumbing
Although the accessory building may be exempt from obtaining a building permit you still must meet all zoning requirements.
If you’re building a deck in your backyard or on your property, please ensure you meet the zoning requirements. If you’re adding wooden guards to your deck, then make sure you follow the Wooden Guard Building Code Standards.
Check out our Guide to Residential Wood Heating to make sure that you’re properly installing a wood stove or chimney. Here you will find the information you need for permits and to make sure your wood heating system is safe. It also has helpful tips on how to use and maintain it effectively.
If you’re wondering what location to use for any climatic data calculations, we use Alliston in the Design Data for Selected Locations in Ontario chart for all of New Tecumseth.
View our sample plans to help you with your next project:
Basement Apartment Sample Plan & Guide (Separate Exits)
Municipal Pool Permit
Application Forms
Along with your plans, we will require a complete application form:
Pool enclosures must meet Section 7 of the Fence By-Law.
Sample Plans
View our sample plans to help you with your Municipal Pool Permit application:
Conservation Authority
If your property is located within the LSRCA or the NVCA please contact them directly to ensure the appropriate approvals are obtained to construct in this area.
- Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority provides landowner assistance, permits and regulations
- Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority helps with development, planning and permits
Current Application Procedure
We are currently accepting digital applications.
- Please email your application to building@newtecumseth.ca;
- Drawings shall be submitted digitally and be in a PDF format. The drawings shall be scaled and legible. Pictures of drawings will not be accepted. Building staff will circulate digital applications to the required internal departments (Planning, Engineering, Fire, Finance) for their approvals and/or comments.
Registered Owner of the Property
If you submit an application but you are not the registered owner of the property, include a letter of authorization from the registered owner of the property.