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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

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

  • application requirements
  • designer requirements
  • drawings requirements

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.

2022 Township of Woolwich Development Charges
Service CategorySingle/Semi DwellingMultiple Dwellings 

Apartment (more than 2 bedrooms) 

Apartment (2 bedrooms or less) Non Residential - per sq. ft.
Fire 839 593 525 324 0.31
Public Works Services 8,534 6,038 5,346 3,307 3.18
Corporate 405 285 254 158 0.15
Library Services 164 116 103 64 0.01
Parks and Recreation 1,124 795 703 436 0.11
Total General Services ***
$11,066 $7,827 $6,931 $4,289 $3.76
Water 1,579 1,116 988 612 0.56

Sanitary Sewers

1,126 796 704 436 0.41

Total Full Services

$13,771 $9,739 $8,623 $5,337 $4.73

  ***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

$2,552

$1,793

$1,290

$1,290

$1.45

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.

  • 2021 Annual Report
  • 2020 Annual Report
  • 2019 Annual Report
  • 2018 Annual Report
  • 2017 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 your building permit.

Please note we can no longer offer same day building inspection requests. Please ensure your inspection is requested prior to 2:00 pm 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.  If calling to leave an inspection request, please ensure you leave 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

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

Forms can be printed from our applications, licences and permits page.

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
  • floor 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?

  • Adding a bedroom to the basement
  • Adding dormer to existing roof
  • Additions to a building
  • Attached garage, carport, shed or other roof structures
  • Backflow prevention device
  • Basement or main floor walkouts
  • Creating a duplex (a.k.a. in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)
  • Decks greater the 24 inches in height
  • Demolition of a structure greater than 108 square feet in building area
  • Detached garage, shed or accessory structure 108 square feet and greater (measured to the outside face of exterior walls)
  • Finishing the basement of a house
  • Industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential construction or alterations or changes of use
  • Installing a new window or door - when increasing the width of the existing opening
  • New residential dwellings
  • Pending location, a retaining wall that is greater than 1 meter in height
  • Plumbing fixtures added or relocated
  • Re-insulating walls, ceilings or floors
  • Removing a load bearing wall, column, lintel or beam
  • Renovation or converting an existing building (change of use)
  • Septic system installations and alterations
  • Site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types
  • Solar Panels that are mounted to a building
  • Swimming pool with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
  • Tent or group of tents that is, more than 60m2 (646 ft2) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building, or constructed within 3m (9'-10") of any structure
  • Woodstove or wood burning fireplace

What does not require a permit?

  • Decks less than 24 inches in height
  • Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed)
  • Fence unless installed around swimming pool or hot tub with a depth of 37" or greater (including temporary or inflatable)
  • Installing a gas fireplace
  • Installing new shingles on existing roof
  • Installing a water softener
  • Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • 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
  • Structure less than 108 square feet measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)
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Contact Department
Dave Heuchert
Chief Building Official
Administration Office
24 Church Street West
P.O. Box 158
Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6
Numbers
Phone: 519-669-1647 ext. 6036
Toll Free: 1-877-969-0094
Fax: 519-669-4669
Links
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