Building Services and Permits

Plan-Build Peterborough Customer Service Desk

Plan-Build Peterborough customer service desk is a coordinated customer contact point for planning and building services inquiries, simplifying the process for building permits and development applications. On Planning Wednesdays, a planning staff member will be at the kiosk to discuss land-use planning processes and requirements.

The customer service kiosk is located in the north wing of City Hall, in the Building Services Division.

Apply for a permit online

Use our new Online Application Portal to apply for the following types of building permits:

Buildings less than 600 m² and three storeys

  • Construction of an addition or renovation to an existing residential building.
  • The addition of Additional Residential Units (Secondary Suites). 
  • Open decks
  • New, renovation or addition to existing commercial, institutional or mixed use (commercial and residential)
  • Complete building demolition for commercial, institutional or mixed use (commercial and residential)

Buildings greater than 600 m² and three storeys

  • New buildings for commercial, institutional , industrial uses or mixed use (commercial and residential)
  • New, renovation or addition to existing for residential use.
  • Complete building demolition for residential use.

Also available

  • Curb Cut Permit

Online Application Portal

We recommend using a standard desktop computer to complete permit applications through our online portal. Mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets may cause technical issues. If you don't have access to a desktop computer, please visit our kiosk in Building Services to complete your application. We provide all necessary equipment to create a profile and apply for a permit through the online portal. The kiosk is also equipped with a scanner to create digital versions of hard copy drawings and/or documents as part of your application. The kiosk is available on a drop-in basis during regular business hours.

Types of projects that require a building permit
  • Constructing a new building that's more than 15 square metres (161 square feet)
  • Installing a swimming pool (Pool Enclosure Permit)
  • Demolishing or removing all or part of a building
  • Changing a building's use
  • Installing, changing or removing partitions and load-bearing walls
  • Making new openings for, or changing the size of, doors and windows
  • Building a garage, balcony or deck or enclosing an existing deck
  • Excavating a basement or constructing a foundation
  • Installing or modifying any life safety or fire suppression system, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipe, or fixed extinguishing systems
  • Installing or modifying heating, plumbing, and air conditioning systems, fireplaces, fireplace inserts, or woodstoves
  • Installing or renovating plumbing
  • Building or reconstructing a chimney
  • Finishing a basement or converting a room to a bedroom

If you're doing any construction or renovations, you will need to check whether you need a building permit before you can start on the project.

Please contact the tax department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 to discuss any possible tax implications resulting from a change to your property.

Types of projects that don't require a building permit
  • Replacing existing, same-size doors and windows, subject to distance from property lines
  • Installing siding on small residential buildings, subject to distance from property lines
  • Building under 15 square metres (161 square feet), but must conform to zoning setbacks
  • Re-shingling a roof, provided there is no structural modification
  • Installing eaves troughs, provided that drainage is contained on your property
  • Damp-proofing basements
  • Painting or decorating, including interior finishes, but excluding insulation
  • Reinstalling/replacing kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
  • Erecting a fence, except for swimming pool and hot tub enclosures

A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a building permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), provided that the shed:

(a) is not more than 15 m2 in gross area,

(b) is not more than one storey in building height,

(c) is not attached to a building or any other structure,

(d) is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot, and

(e) does not have plumbing.

Note: Should a shed structure exceed any one of the above mentioned requirements then it would require a building permit and need to conform to the technical requirements as set forth within the OBC. Additionally, the location on the property of the shed structure and it’s set back distance from the property line will still need to be in accordance with the property specific requirements as stated in the City of Peterborough Zoning By-law.

The City of Peterborough recently completed an Enforcement Services Review.

Building forms and application process

Building Services staff review your application for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, the zoning by-law, site plan, and other applicable laws. It may be sent to other municipal officials for consideration.

If you're applying for a simple alteration or addition, it can usually be dealt with fairly quickly. It takes longer to process more complex proposals.

If there are concerns with your proposal, our building officials will discuss them with you before considering refusal of a permit.

When your application review is done, we will notify you by e-mail or phone if there are any outstanding requirements or concerns. If you want to ask about the status of your application, please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1892. If your application is approved and there are no outstanding requirements, we will let you know through e-mail or by phone that you can receive your permit through e-mail or pick up the permit at the Building Services office at City Hall.

There are two options available to apply for a building permit:

  • email a completed application for signs, residential or commercial permits to either signs@peterborough.ca, residentialpermits@peterborough.ca  or commercialpermits@peterborough.ca
  • Hand deliver a completed application to Building Services Division and drop in the bin with a submission form filled out and attached to application. Location: north end of City Hall, 500 George St. N., red brick building, Carnegie wing. Entrance on George Street.

If you have received an invoice for payment for your building permit application, you can pay online or mail in a cheque to:

City of Peterborough, Building Services Division
500 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON  K9H 3R9

Building permit application forms and supporting documents

Most residential building permit applications will require the following documents:

  • Two sets of plans
  • Plans must be drawn to scale and printed in ink
  • Plans must be fully dimensioned either in metric or imperial, but not in combination
  • Plans must include the following information:
    • Title
    • Municipal address
    • Designer's name and BCIN Number
    • Date of drawing
    • Scale
    • Dimensions
    • Extent of new and existing construction
    • Total area of work
  • A scaled lot grading plan prepared by a grading consultant must be submitted for all new single- and semi-detached dwellings

You can submit all documents an apply for a permit through our online building application portal.

The building permit process
  1. Before applying – Before submitting an application, consult with the Building Services Division.
  2. The application – Submit an online application for residential/ICI with supporting documentation to the Building Services Division Online Application Portal.
  3. Consideration –Online Application will be reviewed for completeness and compliance with the zoning by-law, Building Code and other applicable legislation.
  4. Consultation (optional) – Comments on proposals obtained from other municipal officials. Other approvals may be required.
  5. Decision – Application may be approved or denied. Particular inspections required will be specified when the permit is issued.
  6. Appeal (optional) – Building Code Commission and/or Judge of Ontario Court (General Division)
  7. Inspections during construction – Inspections are required during several stages of construction to occupancy and completion. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure calls for inspections have been made. A minimum 48 hour notice is required when booking an inspection for your site.
  8. Construction completed – Notice of satisfactory completion will only be issued upon request.

  9. Please contact the tax department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 to discuss any possible tax implications resulting from a change to your property.

Building forms, documents and applications for signs

Building forms

Request for Information

Complete the fillable Request for Information form below and submit to Building Services. If the fillable version does not open, you can download, print and complete the download/print version from the list below.

Building permit fees

Note: All building areas determined as gross area in the Ontario Building Code. Minimum fee $225, unless otherwise noted.

2024 Building Permit Fees
Construction type Administrative Fee 2024 permit fee
All new residential construction including single & multi units, row house, apartments, etc. (including additions) $125.00 $27.45/m² of gross floor area min. $225
Residential Alterations without identifiable gross area $62.50 $31.68/$1,000 construction value, min. $225 
Change of Use  N/A $245/permit
Conditional Permit  N/A Full Fee
Occupancy Permit  N/A No charge if final permit complete; $465 if building is unfinished
Re-Inspections  N/A $465 flat rate
Transfer Ownership  N/A $242/permit
Construction Commenced Without a Permit  N/A $242 flat rate
General Information: Property Standards By-law (Chapter 611) of the City of Peterborough Municipal Code  N/A Available at Office Only (No Charge)
Construction Requirements for Guards (SB-7)  N/A Available at Office Only (No Charge)
Industrial Commercial Institutional (ICI) fees
Construction type Administrative Fee  Permit fee
Shell  $125 $18.51/m² of gross floor area, min. $225
Tenant fit-up and alteration   $125

$26.06/$1,000 construction value, min. $225
Finished  $125 $24.68/m² of gross floor area, min. $225
ICI Alterations without identifiable gross area  $125 $26.05/$1,000 construction value, min. $225
Miscellaneous Categories Fixed Fee
Construction type Administrative Fee Permit Fee
Demolition of Building up to 600 m² or up to 3 storeys  $100 $282/permit
Demolition over 600 m² or 3 storeys  $100 $530/permit
Designated Structures & Stand Alone Works  $62.50 $265/permit
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit 10 fixtures or less  $62.50 $140/permit
Plumbing/Mechanical Permit more than 10 fixtures  $62.50 $260/permit
Pool Enclosure Permit  TBD $262/permit
Solar Panel Permit  $62.50 $275/permit
Change of Use  $62.50 $245/permit
Conditional Permit  N/A Full Fee
Occupancy Permit  N/A No charge if final permit complete; $465 if building is unfinished
Re-Inspections  N/A $465 flat rate
Transfer Ownership  N/A $242/permit
Construction Commenced Without a Permit  N/A $242 flat rate
General Information: Property Standards By-law (Chapter 611) of the City of Peterborough Municipal Code  N/A Available at Office Only (No Charge)
Construction Requirements for Guards (SB-7)  N/A Available at Office Only (No Charge)
Cancelled Building Permit Refund  N/A Refund in accordance with Building By-law 10-048

 

Building documents

Sample plans

Signs – forms

Listing of forms and applications for signs

Encroachment agreement

Electronic sign permit application

Portable sign permit authorization 

Permanent sign permit application

Portable sign permit application

Development charges

Properly planned growth is good for our community, but it comes with costs. New development can lead to new infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, sewers, community facilities and fire services. Development charges help cover the costs associated with growth.

Lodging or rooming houses

A lodging or rooming house is a dwelling that has 5 to 30 bedrooms and is not a single house-keeping unit. A single house-keeping unit is a dwelling where the occupants live together for a short period of time and for economic reasons.

There are two types of lodging houses:

  • Small lodging house: a dwelling that contains between 5 and 10 bedrooms
  • Large dwelling house: a dwelling that contains between 11 and 30 bedrooms

Both types of lodging houses need to follow the proper zoning compliance and the property owners need to receive a Licenced Rental Premises business licence from the Clerk's Office in order to rent out the bedrooms, as per By-law 17-067. Licenced Rental Premises Frequently Asked Questions.

Code of Conduct

The City of Peterborough's building officials are subject to the Corporate Code of Conduct as required by the Building Code Act. If you have any questions or wish to file a complaint pertaining to the Code of Conduct and staff of the Building Division, please contact the City Clerk at 705-742-7777 ext. 1799.