Apply Online
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Building permits can be applied for by emailing your application and documents, including drawings to: buildingpermits@woolwich.ca
Application Forms
Please refer to the Permit Requirements tab below for information on:
- Application requirements
- Designer requirements
- Drawings requirements
Supplementary Building Permit Forms
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Any construction that occurs within the Township of Woolwich will require a building permit.
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Development charges
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| 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 |
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Township development charges are adjusted annually on February 1.
2023 Township of Woolwich Development Charges
| Service Category | Single/Semi Dwelling | Multiple Dwellings |
Apartment (2 bedrooms and more)
| Apartment (Bachelor or 1 bedroom) | Non Residential - per sq. ft. |
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| Fire |
970 |
686 |
607 |
375 |
0.36 |
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| Public Works Services |
9,865 |
6,980 |
6,180 |
3,823 |
3.68 |
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| Corporate |
468 |
329 |
294 |
183 |
0.17 |
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| Library Services |
190 |
134 |
119 |
74 |
0.01 |
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| Parks and Recreation |
1,299 |
919 |
813 |
504 |
0.13 |
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Total General Services ***
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$12,792 |
$9,048 |
$8,012 |
$4,958 |
$4.35 |
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| Water |
1,825 |
1,290 |
1,142 |
707 |
0.65 |
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Sanitary Sewers
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1,302 |
920 |
814 |
504 |
0.47 |
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Total Full Services
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$15,919 |
$11,258 |
$9,968 |
$6,170 |
$5.47 |
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***General services include Fire, Public Works, Corporate, Park and Recreation
Breslau Sanitary Servicing
| Service Category | Single/Semi Dwelling | Multiple Dwelling | Apartment (less than 2 bedrooms) | Apartment (more than 2 bedrooms) | Non Residential - Per Sq. Ft. |
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| Breslau Sanitary Servicing |
$4,698
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$3,299
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$2,375
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$1,334
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$2.75
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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)
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Township Development Charges - Studies and Reports
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Development Charge Study
The 2019 Development Charge Background Study and addendum are listed below.
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.
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Fees and by-laws
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| Building permit fees are regulated under the building by-law. |
Inspections
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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. If inspections are requested after the cut-off time, they will automatically be moved to the next business day.
To book an inspection, use our Building Inspection Request Form.
Note: The Township Administrative Office will be closed on Monday, October 2nd to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Please ensure all inspection requests for Tuesday, October 3rd are submitted by 2:00 PM on Friday, September 29th
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.
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Permit Requirements
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There are specific requirements that need to be met when applying for a permit.
Application requirements
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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.
- 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.
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Designer requirements
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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.
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Drawing requirements
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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.
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When is a permit required?
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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
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What does NOT require a permit?
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- 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
- Damproofing a basement
- Resurfacing an existing driveway. Please contact our Infastructure Engineering department regarding new driveways or driveway widening.
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions
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See below for a variety of commonly asked questions. If you do not find the answer you require, please reach out to building staff at BuildingPermits@woolwich.ca or 519-669-6042
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What should I do before I apply for a building permit?
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Before applying for a building permit, please consider the following items regarding the property:
- Check the zoning requirements for the property by using by contacting planning staff at planning@woolwich.ca or 519-669-6033. Zoning regulations determine what is permitted on the property and planning staff will confirm if the proposal meets those regulations or requires a Minor Variance or Certificate of Occupancy.
- Locate any buried infrastructure on the property and identify it safely online through Ontario One Call or 1-800-400-2255
- Confirm if the property is located within the Grand River Conservation Authority’s regulation limit by referring to their map. If so, you may require a GRCA permit.
- Confirm if the property is within a Source Water Protection Area using the Region of Waterloo source water protection mapping tool.
- If the property is on a private sewage system, confirm if the proposed work will impact the existing septic system, or trigger a septic review by submitting our Septic Evaluation Form. If so, ensure to have septic information ready when applying for a building permit.
- If the property of construction has a heritage designation, or you are unsure, please contact planning staff at planning@woolwich.ca or 519-669-6033 to confirm designations and types of work permitted.
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Do I need to apply for a permit in person, or can I email my application?
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You can apply for a permit in person or electronically. Our administrative office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. We are located at 24 Church Street West, Elmira. Alternatively, you may email your application and drawings to BuildingPermits@woolwich.ca
Once staff have received a complete application, the permit review will begin. You may be asked to provide additional information, details, or drawings before your permit is issued.
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| Can my contractor apply for a permit on my behalf? |
| Yes, a contractor or agent you authorize may apply for a permit on your behalf. Please note that if you authorize anyone as the applicant, they will receive all correspondence from staff regarding the permit application. |
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Can a homeowner complete their own drawings?
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Yes, homeowners are permitted to design and submit for building permit for residential projects without qualifications, with respect to a house (plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and ancillary buildings such as garages, sheds, decks, and porches. Review by an architect, engineer or other consultants may be required, determined by size or any proposed construction methods outside of the prescriptions of the Ontario Building Code.
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How long will it take for my permit to be issued?
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The required building, planning, and engineering staff will review all residential applications within 10 business days, beginning the day after complete application submission. Non-residential applications may take up to 15 to 30 days for review.
After staff review the application, the permit applicant will receive an invoice and notice that the permit is ready to be issued. If we require more information, staff will contact the applicant with questions and/or a list of issues that need to be addressed before we issue the permit.
There is no legislated timeframe for further reviews once requests for further information is sent by Township staff. If there is missing or unclear information in your application, the review time will depend on the list of deficiencies that need to be addressed and any communication between the applicant and staff.
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How much will my building permit cost and how can I pay?
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Please refer to our Building Permit Fee Schedule for applicable fees. Payment is due once the permit is approved, and permit documents will be released once payment is received by the Township. Payment options are as follows:
- Cash, cheque, and debit card in-person at the Elmira administrative office
- Cheque by mail
- Credit or debit card via online portal. Please note that a 2.5% convenience fee applies to all online payments.
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What should I do if there are proposed design changes after my permit is issued?
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If changes are anticipated, revised drawings must be submitted to the building department for review as soon as possible to avoid delaying construction. Additional permit review fees may apply depending on the type and scope of changes.
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Do building permits expire?
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As per the Ontario Building Code, an issued permit is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. The Chief Building Official may revoke the permit after 6 months, at their discretion.
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Can I cancel my building permit and get a refund?
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A property owner can cancel their permit and receive a percentage of the fees returned as a permit refund. The amount of the refund depends on what stage your permit is in when cancelled.
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When will I require a building inspection?
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Your issued permit package will list all required inspections for the project which will depend on the type of construction. For typical residential new construction, the following inspections are required: Footing (prior to pouring concrete), Foundation (prior to backfill), underground drains, Framing, HVAC/Plumbing Rough-In, Insulation, Occupancy, Final.
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How do I book a building inspection?
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Inspection requests can be made through our online request form, via phone message, or by email. Please check the “Inspections” tab above for details.
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What can I do if I believe construction is occurring without a permit?
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If you see construction and are unsure if a permit is required or has been issued, please call Township building staff at 519-669-6042 and we will send an inspector to investigate if a permit is required or has been issued. Please ensure you can provide the address of the alleged construction.
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I am moving to a new house and wish to complete work requiring a permit. Can I apply for a building permit before I take ownership?
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You may apply for a permit prior to closing on your new property, however the permit cannot be issued until the ownership is transferred. Only the current registered owner or their authorized agent(s) may have a permit issued in their name on the property.
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Does electrical and utility work require a building permit?
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Electrical and utility work such as gas and hydro require permits through third parties such as the Electrical Safety authority (ESA), Enova Power or Enbridge Gas. Please inquire with individual utility companies prior to beginning any work. Work to Township services (water & sewer) typically require a plumbing permit through the building department.
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Do I need a permit to build/install a fence?
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No, permits are not required for fencing unless it is to surround a pool or non-lockable hot tub/swim spa with a depth of 36” or greater.
Fencing is a civil matter between neighboring property owners. It is best practice to obtain a survey of your property to confirm lot line locations, and if fencing is installed along lot lines, discuss the matter with neighboring property owners prior to construction.
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Can I build an accessory dwelling unit (tiny home, mobile home, duplex, basement apartment) on my property?
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The Township zoning by-law contains regulations for accessory dwelling units, depending on your property’s zoning. Please contact planning staff at planning@woolwich.ca or 519-669-6033 to discuss the potential for an accessory unit of any kind on your property.
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