Building Permits

1. Verify if your property has Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) regulated areas. This can be done by looking up your property via the NPCA's Watershed Explorer or by contacting the Township's Planning Technician at 905-899-3463 ext. 226. If your property contains NPCA regulated areas, then a clearance letter or permit from the NPCA will be required prior to issuance of the Township's building permit.
2. Building applications can be submitted on CityReporter. For more information and assistance on this program, please view this CityReporter Guide. This system allows you to start an application and finish it later, see the status of your application, receive updates, view fees and request inspections. Building, demolition and septic permits should all be applied for separately.
3. When creating an application, be sure to choose the appropriate permit type. This will determine the mandatory documents that are necessary to be uploaded to provide a complete application. Fillable documents that may be required can be found below. If you required NPCA approval, ensure to include this in your application.
4. Once the application is submitted, an application fee will be applied that is due prior to the application review. Please refer to:
   • The Township fee schedule.
   • Development Charges may be associated with the building permits and vary based on permit type.
5. At this time the application review will take place by both the planning and building departments. You will be notified if the application is approved for issue or if it is not approved what needs to be updated before it is revisited.
6. When your permit is approved for issue, permit fees will be due prior to issuance.
7. Upon issuance of your permit you will be emailed all permit documents. From there you can book the necessary inspections for your permit through CityReporter, by email building@wainfleet.ca or phone ext. 221.
8. Once you have successfully completed all inspections including the final inspection, your permit will be finalized. At this time any eligible deposits paid can be released, there is a turnaround time for this process.

• Construction of a new building or placement of a structure (e.g. mobile home) on a property
• Renovations, repairs, or additions
• Installation/ Modification of Septic System or Holding Tank
• Repair or alteration of a foundation
• Change a building's use
• Demolition or to remove portions of a building
• Install, change or remove portions and load-bearing walls
• Create new openings for, or change sizes of, doors and windows
• Building a garage, shed, balcony, or deck
• Erect a temporary building
• Install or modify heating, plumbing, air conditioning systems or fireplaces
• Install or alter a wood burning appliance
• Reconstruct a chimney
• Rooftop Solar Panels
• Radon Mitigation System

If work is done without the required permit(s), an order to stop work may be issued, work already done may be required to be removed, or the owner may be prosecuted. Contact the building department about whether or not a permit is needed. The Township will notify each applicant when a permit is ready or if an application was not approved.

• Replace existing, same-size doors and windows, subject to distance from property lines
• Install siding on small residential buildings, subject to distance from property lines
• Construct a 1 storey utility shed, under 161.46 square feet (15 square metres) with no plumbing and no attachment to any other structure
• Re-shingle a roof, provided there is no structural work
• Install eaves-troughs, provided that drainage is contained on your property
• Paint or decorate
• Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing

• Electrical work (however the Electrical Safety Authority must inspect electrical installations)

  Despite the need for permits, all applicable Planning provisions and clearances to Septic Systems must be followed.

Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction to ensure work complies with the Ontario Building Code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit the site several times and must be able to see the portion of work under inspection as well as the site documents. Inspections are conducted Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings.

To book an inspection please contact 48 hours prior to inspection:

Email building@wainfleet.ca

Phone 905-899-3463 ext. 221

These are the current Building and Septic Permit Application Fees.

Learn more about Radon Mitigation.

Planning a renovation, addition, new building or other improvement to your property? It is important to be aware that completing a building project may result in a change to your property assessment and, consequently, your property taxes.

Property assessments in Ontario are determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).  Information about the improvement is provided to MPAC as part of the assessment process. MPAC determines whether the improvement results in a change to your property's assessed value.

The amount of any potential change to property taxes cannot be determined by the Township at the time a building permit is issued. Any change in property taxes resulting from the completed improvement is based on the assessment of the property by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), as well as the applicable tax rates. The Township does not determine the assessed value of the improvement.

Before starting your project, we encourage you to consider the potential property tax implications of your proposed improvement. For more information about property assessment, please visit MPAC's website (www.mpac.ca) or contact MPAC directly (1-866-296-6722). 

Your building permit fees and your property taxes are separate matters. Paying a building permit fee does not mean that your property taxes will increase by the same amount or that the Township determines the amount of any resulting tax increase.

If you have questions about your current tax account, tax bill or payment arrangements, please contact the Township's Tax Department (taxdept@wainfleet.ca)

• Application Form
• Schedule 1
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary
• Entrance Permit

• Application Form
• Schedule 1
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary

• Application Form
• Schedule 1

• Application Form
• Schedule 1 Form
• Declaration of Use Form

• Application Form
• Schedule 1
• Commitment to General Review

• Application Form
• Schedule 1
• Commitment to General Review
• Supplementary Standard SB-10

• Application Form

• Application Form

• Authorized Form
• Declaration of Use Form