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* Building permits are to be submitted electronically, printed paper documents are no longer required when applying for a building permit *

The building department issues permits for the construction, renovation, demolition of buildings. It also issues permits for the septic systems.

Apply Online

Building permits can be applied for by emailing your application and documents, including drawings to: buildingpermits@woolwich.ca

Application Forms

  • Building Permit Application (Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish) 
  • Pool Permit Application
  • Portable (Temporary) Sign Permit Application 

Please refer to the Permit Requirements tab below for information on:

  • Application requirements
  • Designer requirements
  • Drawings requirements

Supplementary Building Permit Forms

Any construction that occurs within the Township of Woolwich will require a building permit.

  • Alternative Solution Form
  • Commitment to General Review
  • Demolition - Utility Sign Off Form (must come with the Building Permit Application form)
    • Enova Power requires their Disconnect Authorization Form to be filled out and sent in along with the Township's Demolition - Utility Sign Off Form
  • Energy Efficiency (Part 9) - Performance and Other Acceptable Compliance Methods
  • Energy Efficiency (Part 9) - Prescriptive Method
  • Energy Efficiency Certification Form
  • Flow Control Roof Drainage Declaration
  • HVAC summary
  • Ontario Building Code Matrix
  • Ontario Building Code Matrix - Part 10/Part 11

Development charges 

Regional Development Charges
Construction may be subject to Regional Municipality of Waterloo development charges.
School Board Development Charges
Construction may be subject to Waterloo Region District School Board development charges, and Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board development charges.
Township Development Charges

Township development charges are adjusted annually on February 1.

2023 Township of Woolwich Development Charges
Service CategorySingle/Semi DwellingMultiple Dwellings 

Apartment (2 bedrooms and more) 

Apartment (Bachelor or 1 bedroom) Non Residential - per sq. ft.
Fire 970 686 607 375 0.36
Public Works Services 9,865 6,980 6,180 3,823 3.68
Corporate 468 329 294 183 0.17
Library Services 190 134 119 74 0.01
Parks and Recreation 1,299 919 813 504 0.13
Total General Services ***
$12,792 $9,048 $8,012 $4,958 $4.35
Water 1,825 1,290 1,142 707 0.65

Sanitary Sewers

1,302 920 814 504 0.47

Total Full Services

$15,919 $11,258 $9,968 $6,170 $5.47

  ***General services include Fire, Public Works, Corporate, Park and Recreation

Breslau Sanitary Servicing
Service CategorySingle/Semi DwellingMultiple DwellingApartment (less than 2 bedrooms)Apartment (more than 2 bedrooms)Non Residential - Per Sq. Ft.
Breslau Sanitary Servicing

$4,698

$3,299

$2,375

$1,334

$2.75

Breslau sanitary servicing is for development connecting to municipal sanitary sewers in Breslau (equal to the sanitary sewer service component of the current City of Kitchener Development Charge) 

Township Development Charges - Studies and Reports

Development Charge Study

The 2019 Development Charge Background Study and addendum are listed below. 

  • 2019 Development Charge Background Study 
  • Addendum - 2019 Development Charge Background Study

Annual Reports

In accordance with the Township's Development Charge By-law the Treasurer is required to furnish Council with an annual statement, in respect to Development Charges Reserve Funds.  Below are the statements from previous years, as submitted to Council.

  • 2022 Annual Report
  • 2021 Annual Report
  • 2020 Annual Report
  • 2019 Annual Report
  • 2018 Annual Report

Fees and by-laws

 Building permit fees are regulated under the building by-law.

Inspections

Inspections are needed during construction and are noted on page 2 of your building permit document.

Please note we can no longer offer same-day building inspection requests. Please ensure your inspection is requested by 2:00pm, the business day prior, for next day service.

To book an inspection, use our Building Inspection Request Form. 

 

Building Inspection Request Form

 

You can also book an inspection by calling 519-669-6035 or toll free 1-877-969-0094, extension 6035 and leaving a voicemail, or emailing BuildingInspections@woolwich.ca.  If calling or emailing to request an inspection, please ensure you provide the following information:

 

  • Permit Number
  • Type of inspection calling for
  • Address of the construction project
  • Contact Information and phone number
  • Date of preferred inspection
  • Preference of am or pm (note that we may not be able to accommodate each requested time of day)

 

Please note the Township does not review or inspect electrical work. Contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-421-2228 for electrical permits.

Permit Requirements

There are specific requirements that need to be met when applying for a permit.

Application requirements

The following electronic documents are required for the permit submission; all electronic documents and drawings must be in PDF format and combined into one or two files. The maximum email file size is 10MB.

 

  • Application form
  • One set of drawings
  • Full and complete site plan for the entire lot
  • Schedule 1- Designer Information Form (one for HVAC calculations and one for house design)
  • Heat loss/heat gain calculations and mechanical summary form
  • Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS) form (when drawings do not include this as a matrix)
  • Sewage system design (if applicable)
  • Schedule 2- Sewage System Installer Information Form (if applicable)
  • Any other forms that pertain to your project

 

All our forms can be printed and found above under the Apply Online Tab.

Designer requirements

All submitted electronic drawings must be prepared by either the owner, or prepared and reviewed by a qualified designer, architect, professional engineer or a combination. Some drawings must be designed by a professional engineer when the design falls outside of the prescriptive requirements of the Building Code.

The Building Code requires qualified, registered designers, who review and take responsibility for design activities, to include the following information on documents submitted to a chief building official or registered code agency:

  • 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.

Drawing requirements

The following drawings and information may be required to accompany applications for permits:

 

  • Lot grading plan
  • Foundation plan
  • Foor plans/framing plans
  • Roof plans
  • Building elevations
  • Sections and details
  • Truss layout drawings (if applicable)
  • Pre-engineered floor joist layout drawings (if applicable)

 

All drawings must be fully dimensioned, drawn at minimum 3/16"= 1'-0"; and note all sizes and types of construction materials to be used and their respective locations, finishes to all walls, ceilings and floors and all existing and proposed fire separations.

When is a permit required?

Major Construction & Change of Use

  • New residential dwellings including mobile homes
  • Creating additional dwelling units within or on a residential property (duplex, in-law suite, basement or detached accessory apartment, granny flat, tiny homes, garden houses)
  • Industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential new construction or alteration
  • Renovation or conversion (change of use) of an existing building
  • Any detached structure (detached garage shed, accessory structure) greater than 10m2 (108ft2) in area, with the exception of certain storage sheds (see “What does NOT require a permit?” tab)

 

Additions & Renovations

  • Additions of any size to any building including roof structures, dormers, canopies, gazebos, porches, and attached garages, carports, and sheds
  • Decks greater than 24” in height
  • Finishing a basement, adding a bedroom to the basement, or creating a basement or ground floor walk out in a residential home
  • Installing a new window or door opening, or replacing a window or door when increasing the size of the existing opening
  • Repairing or installing new glass or aluminum railings/guardrails and replacing or installing new stairs on the interior or exterior of a building
  • Re-insulating walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Removing load bearing walls, columns, lintels, or beams
  • Installing a woodstove or wood burning fireplace

  

Plumbing & Septic Work

  • Adding or relocating plumbing fixtures
  • Septic system installations and alterations
  • Installing a backflow prevention device
  • Site servicing (new or repairs to water/sewer lines) for all building types

 

Stand-Alone Items

  • Pending location, a retaining wall that is greater than 1 meter in height
  • Solar Panels that are mounted to a building
  • Swimming pool with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable pools)
  • Hot tubs, when supported by a structure (deck, patio, roof-top) other than on-grade landscaping/hardscaping
  • Tent or group of tents that is: more than 60m2 (646ft2) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building, or constructed within 3M (9'-10") of any structure

 

Demolition

  • Demolition of a detached structure greater than 10m2 (108ft2) in building area, or any portion of an existing structure that is over 10m2 (108ft2) in building area 

What does NOT require a permit?

  • Any detached structure that is less than 10m2 (108ft2) in area and does not contain any plumbing
  • Storage sheds that are less than 15m2 (162ft2) in area, detached from other structures, maximum one-storey in height, and do not contain any plumbing
  • Decks less than 24 inches in height
  • Fencing, unless installed around swimming pool or hot tub with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
  • Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed)
  • Removing a non-load bearing wall in a single, semi-detached or townhouse dwelling
  • Replacing a plumbing fixture (i.e. toilet, bathtub or sink) with a new fixture in the same location, or installing a water softener
  • Interior finish works including painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, and installing cabinets and countertops
  • Installing a gas fireplace
  • Installing new shingles on existing roof
  • Demolition of a detached structure less than 10m2 (108ft2) in building area, or any size farm building (buildings located on agriculture zoned properties that are used primarily for farm activity-related use)
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