A building permit is your formal permission to begin construction, demolition, addition, or renovation work on your property. Building permits regulate the type of construction allowed in a community and ensure that minimum building standards are met. The permit process protects the owner’s interests and the community, plus it helps to ensure that any new construction is appropriate and safe.
As part of the building permit process, City of Pembroke staff must review your plans to ensure they comply with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning by-laws, and other applicable laws.
When do I need a building permit?
Under the Ontario Building Code Act (OBCA), a building permit is required for the construction and/or demolition of a building, an addition, or a material alteration of any building or structure.
- Section 8(1) of the OBCA states that "no person shall construct or demolish a building or cause a building to be constructed or demolished unless a permit has been issued"
- In the Act, "construct" means "to do anything in the erection, installation, extension, or material alteration or repair of a building and includes the installation of a building unit fabricated or moved from elsewhere
- In the Act, "building" means:
- a structure occupying an area greater than ten square metres consisting of a wall, roof, and floor or any of them or a structured system serving the function thereof including all plumbing, works, fixtures, and service systems appurtenant thereto
- a structure occupying an area of ten square meters or less that contains plumbing, including the plumbing appurtenant thereto
- plumbing not located in a structure
- a sewage system
- structures designated in the building code
As the building owner, you are responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.
How do I get a building permit?
Search through the "common projects" section below and discover the forms and documents you need. From here, you can pick up these forms at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Official to receive them. Your application can then be submitted to the department, after which you will hear from the Chief Building Official (CBO) when they have reviewed your submission. You will be called to have more information requested before the permit is issued, or be told your permit is ready for pickup and payment. Payment can be made with cash, cheque, or debit. The City of Pembroke does not accept credit cards.
Once a permit has been issued, it will remain open indefinitely until the applicant phones and has a final inspection done and passed by the CBO.
How long does it take to get a permit?
The amount of time it takes to receive your permit generally depends on:
- How complete your application was when you submitted it
- How quickly you respond to the CBO's requests for additional information or documents
- The scope of the work as determined by the Ontario Building Code.
Issuing timelines do not begin until the day after an application is complete and the CBO is no longer waiting for any documents. In addition, timelines do not include days on which the municipal office is closed.
What fees will apply?
For a full list of applicable fees based on your project, contact the Chief Building Official or visit City Hall and request the Building Department fees document.
If you are building a new structure or addition, or if you are changing from a residential or a non-residential use or vice versa, development charges may apply. Contact the Chief Building Official or visit City Hall and request the Development Charges By-law.
Common projects requiring a building permit (information and documentation required)
Attached and detached garages and carports |
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A building permit review for a carport or garage that is an accessory to an existing house is required. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required or potential forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Damp proofing |
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Damp proofing is a coating, usually asphalt-based, that is either sprayed on or hand applied to the outside of the wall. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Decks and porches |
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A building permit review for a deck, verandah, or porch to an existing house is required. A permit is required for decks that are more than 60 cm (24 in) above ground. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities.Required Documentation:
Required Forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Demolition |
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A permit to demolish an existing building. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed, and dated. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Designated structure/retaining wall |
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Building permit for the construction of a designated structure, such as communication towers, crane runways, exterior tanks and supports, pedestrian bridges, retaining walls, satellite dishes, and solar collector panels. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Fences |
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Provided the fence does not enclose a pool, is less than 2.13 m (7 ft) in height in a residential zone and less than 2.44 m (8 ft) in a non-residential zone, and meets all other applicable laws, no building permit is required. If the planned fence will fall outside these parameters, contact the Building Department for further information. Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Mechanical (HVAC) |
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Stand-alone Mechanical (HVAC) building permit for work which is not related to other construction proposed for a building. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required Forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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New building |
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A building permit for any new buildings. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required or potential forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Plumbing |
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Stand-alone plumbing building permit for work which is not related to other construction proposed for a building. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Sewage systems |
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A Sewage System treats the sewage to prevent the transmission of disease and prevents damage to the environment. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Signs |
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The City of Pembroke's Sign By-law regulates signs, advertising devices, and the posting of notices. Sign By-law (to obtain the Sign By-law amendment regarding off-lot signs, contact By-law Enforcement) No person shall erect, cause to be erected, or structurally alter any sign within the City of Pembroke without first obtaining a sign permit from the Chief Building Official. An application for a Sign Permit shall be submitted to the Chief Building Official to be checked for conformity to the Sign By-law. Required documentation:
Required or potential forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Small residential or commercial additions |
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A building permit is required for an addition to a small residential building such as a detached house, a semi-detached house, or a townhouse, and for small additions to commercial buildings. All drawings are to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed, and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required or potential forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Small residential interior alterations |
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A building permit for an interior alteration to a small residential building, such as a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse is required. All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated. If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer's name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities. Required documentation:
Required or potential forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Swimming pool fences |
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A permit must be obtained for the design and construction of enclosures so that owners of pools can reasonably prevent unauthorized or accidental entry to their pools and to recognize pool fences. In-ground and above-ground swimming pools must be totally enclosed by a fence with a height not less than 1.52 m (5 ft) above grade. Such fencing shall have a locking gate and may be interrupted by an external wall of a building. This fence may enclose the entire yard in which the pool is located or only the swimming pool, so long as the pool and fence is separated by a minimum distance of 1.22 m (4 ft). All pools and fencing shall have a final inspection prior to filling the pool with water. A permit is not required for building a fence unless there is a swimming pool involved. Although you must ensure your fences meets all provisions in the City of Pembroke Zoning By-law regarding fences. Required documentation:
Required forms (pick up at City Hall or contact the Chief Building Officer to receive):
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Building forms
Below are some of the most common forms used in the Building Department and required for projects. If you are not sure what forms you need, find more information under the "common projects requiring a permit" section.
We are presently working on making our forms fully accessible for the website. To receive any of these forms, please contact the Chief Building Officer or visit the Building Department at City Hall.
- 357 Adjustment of taxes
- Additional information required
- Building information matrix
- Call first authorization list
- Carport cross section
- Certification of minimum thermal resistance and insulation
- Commitment to general reviews by architect and engineers
- Curb cut and culvert application
- Deck permit application package
- Declaration respecting lot grading plan requirement
- Declaration respecting occupancy permit requirements
- Declaration respecting survey requirements
- Energy efficiency design summary prescriptive method
- Fence guidelines package
- Garage cross section
- House cross section
- Letter of authorization
- New build application package
- Occupancy permit application
- Permit to construct or demolish application
- Permit to construct or demolish application package
- Plumbing permit application
- Residential mechanical ventilation design summary
- Sample site plan
- Schedule 1: designer information
- Schedule 2: sewage system installer information
- Sewage system checklist
- Sewage system permit application package
- Sewage system sample site plan
- Sign permit application
- Standard hold harmless agreement (for other than signs)
- Swimming pool and fence permit application