1. Construct an accessory structure larger than 10 square metres* (108 square feet) in area, such as
   • Detached Garage
   • Workshop
   • Garden shed
   • Carport
   • Pool house or cabana
     • *Note: If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has plumbing, regardless of its size, a building permit is required.
2. Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following,
   • structural or material alterations
   • installing or modifying the heating and or plumbing systems
   • excavating and/or constructing foundations
   • basement underpinning
   • constructing a basement entrance
   • adding a second suite
3. Energy and environmental building improvements, such as
   • rooftop stormwater retention systems
   • green roofs
   • structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW
   • solar projects such as installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems
4. Construct a deck more than 60 centimeters (24 inches) above ground
5. Construct a retaining wall more than one metre (3 feet 3 inches) in height provided the retaining wall is on or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances, and on private property accessible to the public
6. Constructing a tent that
   • covers more than 60 metres squared (646 square feet); and/or
   • is attached to a building; and/or
   • is within 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) from another structure.
7. Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building
8. Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace
9. Install a wood burning stove or fireplace
10. Install or modify heating and or plumbing systems
11. Install a backwater valve
12. Install a backflow prevention device
13. Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.

Specifically, a permit is required when you are:

1. Building a new structure that is larger than ten metres
   squared (108 square feet).
2. Building any addition to an existing structure.
3. Renovating, including alterations that affect your
   building’s compliance with building regulations (known
   as Material Alteration*).
4. Demolishing all, or part of, a building.
5. Installing new, or altering existing, mechanical or
   plumbing systems.
   *Material Alteration refers to alterations that will affect your project’s
   compliance with building regulations. For example, if a project involves
   alterations to the structural design of the building; mechanical, electrical,
   plumbing services; fire separations; and existing fire protection systems; and/or
   a change to the use of a building.