Building Projects by Type

• Construction of a new building larger than 15 m2 in gross area
• Construction of an addition to an existing building
• Construction of a deck, porch or balcony
• Construction or alteration of a sewage system

• Rebuilding of a deck, porch or balcony
• Replacement of deck guards
• Construction of a sunroom or enclosing a porch or deck
• Installation of solar panels attached to the building
• Create a new window or door opening in an existing wall
• Raising a building to construct a new foundation, full basement or crawl space
• Constructing a basement walkout
• Repairing or underpinning a foundation
• Demolition of all or a portion of a building

• Alterations and additions to a plumbing system
• Moving or adding of interior walls
• Installation of a wood burning stove or fireplace
• Finishing a basement
• Change the use of a building or part of a building

• Pool with a capacity to hold 18 inches of water or more requires a pool enclosure permit

• Fences/property line fences (except for a pool enclosure)
• Accessory buildings not greater than 15m2 in gross area, is not more than one storey in height, is not attached to a building or any other structure, and is used only for storage purposes ancillary to a principal building on the lot and does not have plumbing (compliance with the Townships Zoning By-law are always required)
• Replacement of existing plumbing fixtures, ex: sink, water closets (in existing location)
• Replacement of kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
• Painting, decorating and general minor maintenance
• Roof shingling, provided there is no structural work being completed
• Replace siding with similar material
• Temporary tent not more than 60m2 in aggregate ground area, not attached to a building and 3 metres from all other structures
• Electrical work permit is obtained from the Electrical Safety Authority - 1-877-372-7233

Building Permit applications for new homes require substantial information to be processed. The checklist below identifies typical items that need to be supplied.

If you are not designing your own home, you may need the services of a qualified designer.

All work on your drawings must conform to the standards set out in the Ontario Building Code, municipal By-laws and any other applicable laws.

Single detached dwelling checklist

1. Completed Building application
2. A separate completed Sewage System application (if constructing a new dwelling on vacant land)
3. Copy of the deed or a recent property tax bill (proof of land ownership)
4. Copy of survey (upon request by inspector)
5. Site/Plot plan indicating;
   • grading plan
   • civic address and/or legal description
   • North indicator
   • distances from all property lines, high water mark/any water body, sewage system and septic tank & all buildings
   • distance from any overhead power lines
   • show all property lines with lot dimensions and lot area calculations
   • indicate public roads or private lanes adjacent to property
6. Provide written documentation/email from the Conservation Authority having jurisdiction (for properties along or near water) as to whether an approval is required or not.
7. Entrance permit application and approval from the Public Services department (required only if property is accessed via public road, not required if accessed by private lane). 
8. Completed Setback Waiver Form/Inspection & Occupancy Notice Form
9. Two complete full size sets of construction drawings including and not limited to;
   • foundation plan
   • floor plans including basement - identify use of all rooms and spaces (i.e. "bedroom", "closet", "unfinished basement", etc.)
   • building elevations (all sides)
   • cross-sectional views indicating dimensions, heights, and construction materials
   • truss layouts of both roof and floor where applicable
10. Heat Loss/Gain Calculations and duct layout, with a ventilation design summary (must be completed by a HRAI certified designer) and the appropriate Energy Efficiency Design Sheet
11. Copy of the Well Record
12. Agent Authorization form
13. Planning approval/Site Plan or Development Agreement (provide a copy if required)
14. Water Connection (in the village of Sydenham only)

Please note starting in 2024, all decks require a separate permit application from the dwelling application. Please refer to the Deck application package.

This checklist constitutes a preliminary listing of documents that will be required to be submitted with a Building Permit Application.  A further review will be completed by the Planning Coordinator and Building Inspector, at which time, more information and/or amendments to the submitted application documents may be required.

Building Permit applications for new cottages require substantial information to be processed. The checklist below identifies typical items that need to be supplied.

Seasonal Dwellings are only permitted on specific properties under Township's current Zoning By-Law.

If you are not designing your own cottage, you will need the services of a qualified designer.

New seasonal dwelling checklist

1. Completed Building Permit Application
2. Completed Sewage System application
3. Copy of the deed or a recent property tax bill (proof of ownership)
4. Copy of survey (upon request)
5. Site/Plot plan indicating;
   • grading plan
   • civic address and/or legal description
   • North indicator
   • distances from property lines, high water mark, sewage system & all buildings
   • show all property lines with lot dimensions and lot area calculations
   • indicate public roads or private lanes adjacent to property
6. Copy of the Well Record will be required before Occupancy is granted
7. Provide written documentation from the Conservation Authority having jurisdiction (for properties along or near water) as to whether an approval is required or not.
8. Zoning approval/Site Plan or Development Agreement (if required from the Planning Department)
9. Entrance Permit Application and approval from the Public Services department (required only if property is accessed via public road, not required if accessed by private lane) 
10. Completed Setback Waiver/Inspection & Occupancy Notice Form
11. Two complete full size sets of construction plans including and not limited to;
    • foundation plan
    • floor plans including basement - identify use of all rooms and spaces (i.e. "bedroom", "closet", "unfinished basement", etc.)
    • building elevations (all sides)
    • cross-sectional views indicating dimensions, heights, and construction materials
    • truss layouts of both roof and floor where applicable

This checklist constitutes a preliminary listing of documents that may be required to be submitted with a Building Permit Application. A further review will be completed by the Planning Coordinator and Building Inspector, at which time, more information and/or amendments to the submitted application documents may be required. 

Garage permit applications require the submission of a moderate amount of information and the checklist below identifies typical items that need to be supplied.

If you wish to build a structure that is greater than 55m2 (592 sq.ft.) then you may need the services of a qualified designer.

All work on your drawings must conform to the standards set out in the Ontario Building code, any applicable municipal By-laws and other applicable laws.

Please feel free to contact the Building Department early in your design process if you are uncertain or require clarification of the building permit application process.

Detached garage or shed checklist

1. Completed Building Permit Application
2. Copy of the deed or a recent property tax bill (proof of ownership)
3. Copy of survey (if requested by the building inspector)
4. Site/Plot plan indicating
• civic address and/or legal description
• North indicator
• location of proposed garage/shed in relation to other structures and overhead wires
• location of proposed building in relation to property lines including lanes, roads and watercourses
• location of septic tank and field
• show all property lines with lot dimensions and lot area calculations
• indicate public roads or private lanes adjacent to the property
5. Septic System Approval from Building Services - if structure is within 5m of a sewage system (in-ground leaching/filter bed) and 8m (raised leaching/filter bed)
6. Approval from the Conservation Authority having jurisdiction (for properties along or near water)
7. Completed Setback Waiver Form
8. Two complete sets of building plans including and not limited to;
   • foundation plan
   • floor plan showing dimensions including window openings and sizes
   • building elevations (all sides)
   • cross-sectional views indicating dimensions, heights, and construction materials
   • truss layout of roof where applicable

Please NOTE:

28. Article 1.3.1.1. of Division C of the Regulation is amended by adding the following Sentence:

(6) A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with this Code, 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.

Any shed, gazebo, or small storage building that is not greater than approx. 160 sq. ft. no longer requires a building permit.

Compliance with our zoning by-law is however still applicable.

This checklist constitutes a preliminary listing of documents that may be required to be submitted with a Building Permit Application only. A further review will be completed by the Building Inspector, at which time, more information and/or amendments to the submitted application documents may be required.

Deck permit applications require a moderate amount of information. The checklist below identifies documents that need to be submitted.

A Building Permit is required for repair and replacement of existing decks. To replace or repair a deck that would be considered "grandfathered" or legal non-complying, the Building Department staff will have to attend the site. The existing structure must be in place for staff to be able to comment and verify the size.

Deck checklist

1. Completed Deck application package
2. Copy of the deed of a recent property tax bill (proof of ownership)
3. Site/Plot plan indicating;
   • civic address and/or legal description
   • North indicator
   • show all property lines with lot dimensions
   • indicate public roads or private lanes adjacent to property
   • indicate where the septic system (tank and bed) is located
4. Approval from the Conservation Authority having jurisdiction (for properties along or near water)
5. Two complete sets of building plans including and not limited to;
• foundation plan showing size and spacing of sono tubes
• framing plan indicating beam size and location, floor joist size and spacing
• cross-sectional views indicating dimensions, height and attachment to dwelling
• stair details including rise/run, stringer size and width
• guard construction details including height - PLEASE NOTE that prefabricated guard systems will require construction details certified/stamped by an Professional Engineer (must be licensed in Ontario).  This documentation must be provided with each application for use. 
6.  A completed Setback waiver/Inspection & Occupancy Notice

The Building Department has created a worksheet to assist in the sizing of materials and general construction. 

This checklist constitutes a preliminary listing of documents that may be required to be submitted with a Building Permit application only.  A further review will be completed by the Building Inspector, at which time more information and/or amendments to the submitted application documents may be required.

Pool enclosure permit applications require the submission of a moderate amount of information and the checklist below identifies typical items that need to be supplied. 

The Township of South Frontenac requires private pools that are capable of holding 18 inches of water (this includes the blue inflatable ones) require a permit before it is installed. 

All pools and their associated enclosures (fencing) that are applied for are subject to a deposit of $500 that is paid for at the permit stage. This deposit is then released back to the applicant when all fencing or enclosures meet the requirements of the Pool By-law. For more information on the permitted fencing allowed around a pool installed within the Township, please refer to the South Frontenac Pool By-law 2014-33 as amended by By-law 2023-65. 

Pool application checklist

1. A completed Swimming Pool Enclosure Application
2. Copy of Deed or recent property tax bill (proof of land ownership)
3. Site/Plot plan indicating:
• Civic address
• North indicator
• Location of proposed pool, show distances to property lines, fence, pool pump, any existing buildings, overhead wires, septic tank, tile bed
• Location of fence and all gates (self-closing/self-latching)
• Location of all doors within walls of building proposed to form part of the Pool Enclosure
• Location of adjoining street(s)

The site plan may be hand drawn but must be legible/clear.

1. A completed Swimming Pool Enclosure setback waiver form.
2. Sewage System approval from Building Services (if required)
3. Approval from Conservation Authority having jurisdiction (for properties along or near water)
4. Approval from the South Frontenac Planning Department (if required)
5. Agent authorization form (required if the property owner is not submitting the application)

NOTE: If a deck is being built in conjunction with the pool, please refer to our deck permit package.  A separate building application for the deck will need to be submitted at the same time as the pool enclosure application. 

The Ontario Building Code regulates the installation of solid fuel burning appliances including masonry fireplaces, free-standing wood and pellet stoves and fireplace inserts. This includes any alteration to existing installations and replacements of part of or all of a system.

To apply for a wood burning appliance permit please complete this application.

This project will require the following documents:

1. Completed Building application
2. Appliance documentation – installation requirements of the appliance with clearances to combustible materials and floor protection
3. Stove pipe documentation and/or Chimney documentation
4. A completed setback waiver/inspection form
5. Copy of the deed or tax bill (proof of land ownership - if required)

NOTE: Applications may be refused if the above documents are not all submitted.

An in-depth plans examination may reveal that further documentation may be required from the applicant to satisfy compliance with the Ontario Building Code or other applicable law.

Solar Panel permit applications require the submission of a moderate amount of information and the checklist below identifies typical items that need to be supplied.

Please feel free to contact the Building Department early in your design process if you are uncertain or require clarification of the building permit application process.

Solar panels checklist

1. Completed Building Permit Application
2. Copy of the deed or a recent property tax bill (proof of ownership)
3. Engineering report on existing structure confirming the structure can sustain the additional loading
4. A completed setback waiver/inspection form
5. One complete set of building plans including and not limited to;
• roof plan - showing location and number of panels to be installed
• mounting brackets and connection details
6. Site/Plot plan indicating;
   • location of building that panels will be installed on relative to all property lines, other existing buildings, property lines, adjacent roads or lanes, and any overhead power lines. 

The construction of farm building and structures can vary substantially and early consultation with the Building Department is highly recommended.

If the purpose of the structure is to house livestock or manure, you will likely need to supply proof of the completion of a Nutrient Management strategy or plan from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

All buildings and structures to house livestock and manure must also meet the minimum distance separation formula calculations (MDSII).

Farm buildings checklist

• Completed Building Permit Application 
• Copy of approved Nutrient Management strategy or plan from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food  
• Copy of the deed or a recent property tax bill (proof of ownership)
• Copy of survey (upon request)
• Site/Plot plan indicating
  • grading plan
  • civic address and/or legal description
  • North indicator
  • show all property lines with lot dimensions and lot area calculations
  • indicate public roads and private lanes adjacent to property
• Two complete sets of construction drawings including and not limited to;
  • foundation plan
  • floor plans
  • building elevations
  • cross-sectional views indicating dimensions, heights, and construction materials
  • truss layouts of roof and floors where applicable
  • engineered drawings for the slab and structure where applicable

This checklist constitutes a preliminary listing of documents that may be required to be submitted with a Building Permit Application only.  A further review will be completed by the Building Inspector, at which time, more information and/or amendments to the submitted application documents may be required.

• Tent over 225m2 application
• Tent under 225m2 application

Transfer of permit application

Class 4 5 Sewage System Permit Application 2024

Class 2 3 Sewage System Permit Application 2024

Application For Review Of Performance Level 2024

Septic Tank Replacement Permit Application 2024

Sewage System Record Search 2024