Building permits

The following permit types are available to be applied for on our Development and Business portal:

• simple residential building permits
• plumbing permits
• industrial/commercial/institutional permits
• sign permits
• registered home builders permits.

Once registered, inspections can also be scheduled or cancelled on issued permits.

Online portal registration questions or technical difficulties can be emailed to epermits@london.ca .

Permit application forms

Note: All PDF forms below open in a new tab

• Building permit application
• Required clearances for demolition permit
• Undertaking damage to City property
• Schedule 1
• Schedule 2
• General review commitment
• (ITC) Integrated Testing Co-Ordinator information
• Commitment to general reviews by architect and engineers
• Owner Authorization letter

Types of permits

• apply for residential and plumbing permits online using a credit card
• check the status of an application
• schedule or cancel inspections
• Ch eck inspection results

• any structure occupying an area greater than 10 m 2 (108 sq. ft.) consisting of a wall, roof or floor, or a structural system, including all plumbing, works, fixtures and service systems that lead to or services that structure

A permit is required for a shed that is:

1. greater than 15 m 2 in gross area ,
2. greater than one storey in building height ,
3. attached to a building or any other structure,
4. not used for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and
5. has plumbing.

• any structure occupying an area of 10 m 2 (108 sq. ft.) or less that contains plumbing, including the plumbing that lead to or services that structure
• any addition to an existing building
• any form of plumbing whether in a structure or not
• replacement of a fire alarm panel or control unit
• a sewage or septic system
• "designated" structures as per the Ontario Building Code; (Division A-1.3.1.1)
• any alterations to an existing building which affect the structural design of the building including mechanical, electrical*, plumbing services (no limit on size of building), fire separations, egress (exits), fire protection/suppression systems and/or changing the use of buildings or parts of a building
• adding an additional dwelling unit

*Note: Contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for electrical permit information.

• decks attached to a building regardless of height
• interior structural alterations
• adding or removing most walls, (creating different room sizes and/or uses)
• porches
• basement or main floor walkout alterations
• sunrooms, solariums
• replacement of brick veneer
• carports, attached or detached garages, sheds
• dormers or finishing of attic space
• installation of irrigation systems
• additions
• installation, repair of storm, sanitary and water service
• finishing a basement or a portion thereof
• furnace and ductwork replacements
• installation of plumbing cleanouts
• conversion from septic to sanitary sewer
• plumbing and/or drains (except replacing fixtures)
• insulating exterior walls when exterior or interior cladding is removed
• new or structural alterations to windows or doors
• installation or repair of private sewer systems and water service
• backflow preventers for lawn irrigation systems
• structural work related to fire damage

• fences (other than for swimming pools)
• asphalt roof shingling
• eaves troughs
• minor repairs to masonry
• damp proofing basements
• air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing forced-air systems
• kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
• free-standing satellite dishes
• replace existing forced-air furnace (no duct work alterations)
• replacing siding or windows (provided there are no structural changes)
• pool heaters
• painting and decorating
• landscaping

Demolition permits are required for all buildings greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet), with the exception of farm buildings.

There are five steps to apply for a demolition permit:

1. Complete a required clearances for demolition permit form
2. Complete the application for a permit to construct or demolish
3. Complete the undertaking damage to City property
4. Prepare and submit a letter from the registered owner describing the building to be demolished (Including building use, structural characteristics of the building, and floor area being demolished)
5. Submit the permit fee (see fee schedule for current rates)

Please remit all completed forms listed above to building@london.ca.

If you are applying for a building permit to resolve an emergency plumbing issue in a single detached dwelling or row townhouse (i.e. a water service repair or installation, sanitary sewer repair or installation etc.), please make sure that you include emergency plumbing repair in the description of proposed work field on the application form.

We will strive to issue the permit the same day the application is received.
(Provided all applicable fees have been paid and applicable law has been complied with)

Use the Development and Business Portal (E-Portal) to submit permit applications and PDF drawings online for new single detached, semi-detached and row housing.

Inspection information will be provided once the permit is issued.

Permit applications for industrial, commercial, institutional are to be applied for using the Development and Business Portal (E-Portal)

When is a permit required? (Commercial, Industrial, Institutional)

• change of use (where construction is proposed or the change constitutes an increase in the hazard index)
• interior renovations within a floor area affecting fire separations, exits or structural capacity
• interior finishing of shell buildings for tenants (occupancies in commercial or industrial malls and office buildings, etc.)
• fire and water damage affecting interior renovations within a floor area affecting fire separations, exits or structural capacity
• additions to any building having a combined area of 10m 2 (108 sq. ft.) or more
• installations and major alterations of sprinkler, standpipe, fire alarm or mechanical (HVAC) systems
• plumbing installation and alterations, except replacement of fixtures
• installation or replacement of storm and sanitary sewers, water service (catch basins, weeping tile, clean-outs, change from septic system to sewers)
• installation and repairs to sewage systems (septic systems and holding tanks)
• installation of backflow preventers
• retaining walls exceeding 1 metre (3 ft.- 3 inches) in exposed height adjacent to public property, to an access to a building, or on private property to which the public is admitted
• tents greater than 60 m 2 (645 sq. ft.)

Demolition permits are to be submitted in digital format by emailing building@london.ca .

Where do I send revisions or additional information for building permit applications?

Submission of revisions or additional information for a building permit application must be sent to the following email address revisions@london.ca . The subject line must include the municipal address and permit application number.

All PDF plans must be unlocked so our review stamp can be added to them.

All submissions, for each category above must be in a single PDF file (addressing all deficiency items). Submitting revisions that address only certain items in the deficiency notice will result in delays.

Residential building permits

Inspections - Building, plumbing and fire protection

Inspections can be arranged by calling 519-661-4555, emailing building@london.ca or through the Development and Business Portal (E-Portal)

Inspections for building permits

Mandatory Inspections:

• Your permit card identifies a list of all the mandatory inspections that must be scheduled and completed pursuant to Section 10.2 of the Building Code Act. Failure to call in these inspections may result in uncovering completed work or commencement of legal action.
• Allow two business days for an inspection as specified by the Building Code.
• Building, Plumbing and Fire Inspectors are named on your permit card.

Inspections can be booked by:

1. Phoning 519-661-4555
2. Emailing building@london.ca
3. Online using the Development and Business Portal (E-Portal)

Important - A copy of the reviewed, stamped plan(s) is required to be on site for the Building Inspector at the time of inspection.

• If plans are not available, the inspection will be recorded as Not ready and you will be required to rebook. This applies to all building permits.
• A fee will be charged for any site that is not ready for inspection.
• Inspection cancellations must be submitted via the online portal, by phone or email during regular office hours 24 hours in advance of the scheduled inspection date.
• All fees will have to be paid prior to booking a final inspection.
• It is the responsibility of the owner or applicant to ensure that there is access to the site between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If special instructions for access are required, these are to be written in the inspection comment field when booking an inspection online, or by communicating that through email or on the phone when booking. Failure to do so may result in a missed inspection and a Not ready fee applied, as noted above.
• More details available in By-law B-7

Inspection Results:

• Once the inspection is conducted, the Building Division will share permit inspection results via an email to the applicant and property owner.
• The notification will include an attachment of the formal inspection result notice.

A GREEN NOTICE will be emailed for all inspections Passed in Full.
It will specify any comments or conditions left by the Inspector related to the passing of the inspection.

A YELLOW NOTICE will be emailed for all inspections Passed in Part.
It will specify any comments or conditions left by the Inspector related to the partial pass of the inspection.

A RED NOTICE will be emailed for all inspections not passed due to deficiencies.
This notice will include a detailed list of all deficiencies encountered during your scheduled inspection.

IMPORTANT: It will be the responsibility of the permit applicant or property owner to ensure that all notices are forwarded or otherwise made available to site supervisors, contractors, and trades working on the job site.

New business licence applications are being accepted digitally by emailing licensing@london.ca . Applications will be reviewed for zoning compliance.

Building permit fees

Building permit fees depend on the floor area, scope of work and the type of building being constructed or altered. When using the online portal permit fees will be calculated. The Building by-law B-7 provides information about the types of building construction, alteration and demolition permits issued and services provided.

Building Permit fees effective June 25, 2024 until Feb 28, 2025

Minimum permit fee

Reference Part 7 - Schedule "A" of the Building By-law B-7 for a full fee breakdown.

Construction

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group A - Assembly occupancies

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group B - Institutional occupancies

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group C - Residential occupancies

Single detached dwellings, semis, duplexes

• with private septic system (additional fee)
• with geothermal system (additional fee)

$13.61

flat fee $1,065.91

flat fee $497.42

Townhouses

• with private septic system (additional fee)
• with geothermal system (additional fee)

$11.37

flat fee $1,065.91

flat fee $497.42

Live/work units, previously approved (single detached, semis)

• with private septic system (additional fee)
• with geothermal system (additional fee)

$11.14

flat fee $1,065.91

flat fee $497.42

Apartment buildings

• with geothermal system (additional fee)

$9.32

flat fee $639.54

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group D - Business and personal service occupancies

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group E - Mercantile occupancies

Building classification (per Building Code)

Group F - Industrial occupancies

Alterations, renovations and repairs

each
$41.45

maximum fee
$497.42

Demolition

All other buildings:

• with gross floor area equal to or less than 600 m 2
• with gross floor area greater than 600 m 2

$0.53

$1.18

Designated structures (OBC Div. A-1.3.1.1)

Stand alone and miscellaneous work

Residential decks, porches

each $250.80

each $355.30

Single detached dwelling garages, carports, accessory structures:

• equal to or less than 55 sq.m.
• over 55 sq.m.
• additional fee if plumbing is involved

each $250.80

each $394.10

$250.80

Temporary structures

Tents (individual or each group)

each $250.80

each $358.27

Solar panels installed on:

• Single detached/semi-detached buildings
• All other buildings (per $1,000 construction value of works excluding solar panel costs)
  

$213.18/per building

$20.13

$2.95

min. fee $592.17

Stand alone mechanical work (HVAC & Plumbing)

More than one fee category may apply per building/work proposed.

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Group C – single/detached/semi-detached dwelling units

Other Group C Buildings

Additional fee if work proposed includes make-up air units, or rooftop units

flat fee $250.80

$2.37

flat fee
$250.80

Plumbing and drainage systems-Fixtures-Equipment-Systems

Piping single detached or semi detached dwellings:

• Water services, sanitary and storm buried piping, repairs, replacements and additions of buried plumbing and drainage piping, pool drains

Piping (All other buildings)

Private Sewage system (new or replace):

Flat fee:

$734.30

$1006.68

$734.30

$426.36

Administrative fees

Additional plan review fees (in addition to permit fees charged due to any increase in floor area) as a result of changes made to the original permit application submission.

1. After all reviews have been completed prior to permit issuance or after the permit has been issued (excludes new model submission for single detached dwellings, duplexes, semi-detached dwellings, or row townhouses)
2. New model submission (single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, duplexes, or row townhouses) made more than five business days after original permit application was submitted or post permit issuance.

per hour $153.97

min. fee $250.80

50% of original permit fee

Conditional permit (as per Section 8.(3) of Building Code Act) in addition to fee in section 3 above.

• Single detached dwellings, duplexes, semi-detached dwellings or row townhouses
• all other uses

per permit $325.70

per permit $710.61

Three day permit

• Residential use (excluding apartment buildings)
• All other uses

Additional fee equal to 50% of the original permit fee. Min. fee $325.70

Additional fee equal to 50% of the original permit fee. Min. fee $651.38

Occupancy permit (in accordance with the Ontario Building Code Div. C-1.3.3.4 & 1.3.3.5)

• Additional copy of occupancy permit

no fee

flat fee $177.65

Liquor licence clearance letter

• Not associated with a building permit or business license
• Associated with a building permit or business license

flat fee $568.40

flat fee $325.70

Miscellaneous - Charges

For classes of permits not described or included in this schedule, a reasonable permit fee shall be determined by the Chief Building Official.

Refunds

Pursuant to Part 7 of this By-law, the fees that may be refunded shall be a percentage of the fees payable under this By-law, calculated by the Chief Building Official as follows:

1. 90 percent if administrative functions only have commenced;
2. 80 percent if administrative and zoning functions only have commenced;
3. 60 percent if administrative, zoning and plan examination functions have commenced;
4. 50 percent if the permit has been issued and no field inspections have been conducted subsequent to permit issuance;
5. Fee to be deducted from all refunds, for each field inspection that has been conducted after the permit has been issued $250.80
6. If the calculated refund is equal to or less than the minimum fee applicable to the work, no refund shall be made of the fees paid.
7. The additional 50% fee paid in the case of a permit application for a three day permit shall not be refunded in any case.
8. The additional fee equal to 100% of the amount calculated as the regular permit fee in the case of work without a permit pursuant to Section 6.4 of this By-law, shall not be refundable in any case.
9. No refund shall be payable in the case where a permit has been revoked.
10. Any fee paid for alternative solution review shall not be refundable.

Payment of these fees does not relieve any person or corporation from complying with the Act, the Building Code or any applicable law.

1. Over the phone – call 519-661-4555
   Permit fees under $1000 can be paid with MasterCard or Visa.
2. Online banking
   If you are not registered, please complete the Request for Online Banking Approval form below and submit to building@london.ca for approval and directions on making payments.
3. In Person – Path2Approval Counter
   Debit, credit or cheque is accepted at our Path2Approval counter located at 300 Dufferin Ave, on the 2nd floor during regular office hours.
4. Via mail or courier
   Cheques made payable to “The City of London”
   Mailing address: City of London Building Division, PO Box 5035, 7th floor, London, ON N6A 4L9
   Drop off address: City Hall, 300 Dufferin Ave, Path2Approval - 2nd floor