Building Permits: A Guide for Home Owners

As a homeowner, you may find that you have outgrown your present home. Renovation is today's answer to moving, and may include anything from adding a room, fixing up the basement or building a garage, to remodelling the interior of a house.

Why Permits are Needed?

Building permits are necessary to ensure that zoning requirements, fire and structural safety standards and other building standards are met, primarily for safety reasons. It is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that a building permit is obtained when required. You may authorize your contractor or designer to apply for the permit, but the owner should ensure that they have the permit prior to any work starting.

How To Obtain A Permit

Building permits are issued by the Building Division of the Planning and Development Department. You can either apply in person for your building permit at our office, located on the 7th floor of City Hall, 300 Dufferin Avenue, or use our Building Permit System to apply online for residential additions and alterations permits for single detached homes.

If you are planning home improvements, this guide generally outlines what you need to know about applying for a building permit from the City of London. Use the following links for information to assist you with planning your project:

• Projects that Require a Permit
• Projects that Do Not Require a Permit
• Planning Your Project
• Permit Application to Finish a Basement
• Plan Templates for Home Owner Use Only

Once you are ready to apply for your permit, the following links will guide your through the permit application and approval process:

• Building Permit Issuance Process
• Submitting Your Application
• Mandatory Inspections
• Contact Information