Building Division

Impacts of COVID-19 on programs and services:

Town of BWG offices are closed until further notice, but staff are working from home and able to help you. As a proactive measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, some restrictions on building inspections are still in place - please see the sections below for more details.

Visit the Town's COVID-19 page for more information.

Modified Services During Coronavirus Pandemic

How have COVID-19 precautions affected the Building Division?

Please be advised that the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury's building permits and inspections protocol has been amended based on an order issued by the Province of Ontario under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act on April 3, 2020 (Ontario Regulation 119/20) which relates to the Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses, including certain construction. Please click here for Ontario Regulation 119/20. As amended, please click here.

Under Ontario Regulation 119/20, beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020, each person responsible for a place of business that is not listed in Schedule 2 [of the regulation] shall ensure that the place of business is closed. Only the following types of construction were listed in Schedule 2 as Essential Businesses:

27. Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.

28. Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.

28.1 Construction projects and services that supp01i the operations of, and provide new capacity in, schools, colleges, universities, municipal infrastructure and child care centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

29. Critical industrial construction activities required for,

i. the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,

ii. significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,

iii. industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

29.1 Construction projects that are due to be completed before October 4, 2020 and that would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products.

29.2 Construction projects that were commenced before April 4, 2020, and that would,

i. provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support,

distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, or

ii. provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services.

30. Residential construction projects where,

i. a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes,

ii. an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or

iii. the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.

31. Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.

30.1 Construction to prepare a site fr an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure.

Can I apply for a Building Permit?

The following changes to permit intake and inspections are now in effect:

Our office will continue to accept and review all new permit applications. Issuance of permits will be deferred until the Order is lifted, except where the construction falls within the list in the section above. No new construction is permitted; construction may only proceed where it falls within the above list.

Building permit applications may be submitted only by email to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com. Please note that email attachments cannot be larger than 10MB; any larger files will require submission Please note that email attachments cannot be larger than 10MB; any larger files will require submission using the Dropbox online portal.

Please see section below regarding making payments.

Depending on the type of permit and associated inspections, it may not be possible to issue the permit at this time. Please see the section below on Inspections for more information.

Can I request a Building Inspection?

Effective May 19th 2020, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s can resume issuance of approved permit applications. Inspection procedures and precautions have been updated below. Please click here for the Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings.

Residential Builders:

To request a residential inspection, please email buildinginspections@townofbwg.com. Please make note of the following:

Inspectors will conduct on-site inspections if they are accompanied by the Site Supervisor ONLY, while maintaining the recommended social distance (minimum 2 metres distance). No other individuals may be in the vicinity or in the structure of the requested inspection and no other individuals may approach the Inspector.

If these protocols are not followed, the Inspector has the right to refuse any further on-site inspections.

Homeowners:

Exterior Inspections:

Inspectors will conduct on-site inspections while maintaining the recommended social distance (minimum 2 meters distance). No other individuals may be in the vicinity or in the structure of the requested inspection and no other individuals may approach the Inspector.

Interior inspections:

All interior residential inspections are temporarily suspended until further notice.
For simple construction, photos MAY be accepted at the discretion of the Inspector and may be sent to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com.

If these protocols are not followed, the Inspector has the right to refuse any further on-site inspections.

Multiple Residential/Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI):

Inspectors will conduct on-site inspections if they are accompanied by the construction supervisor ONLY, while maintaining the recommended social distance (minimum 2 meters distance). No other individuals may be in the vicinity or in the structure of the requested inspection and no other individuals may approach the Inspector.
In lieu of the building inspection, Professional field reviews will be accepted and may be sent to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com.

If these protocols are not followed, the Inspector has the right to refuse any further on-site inspections.

Agricultural:

To request an agricultural inspection, please email buildinginspections@townofbwg.com. Please make note of the following:

Inspectors will conduct on-site inspections while maintaining the recommended social distance (minimum 2 metres distance). No other individuals may be in the vicinity or in the structure of the requested inspection and no other individuals may approach the Inspector.

If these protocols are not followed, the Inspector has the right to refuse any further on-site inspections.

Should completion of construction occur without the benefit of a required inspection, the Chief Building Official may require the construction to be uncovered in accordance with the Building Code Act.

Payment Methods

Amounts over $5,000

	Method of Payment	Instructions
Residential Builders and ICI Projects	Wire Transfer	Please contact us at buildinginspections@townofbwg.com or 905-778-2055 ext. 1500 to advise us that you wish to make a wire transfer and we will provide you with detailed instructions. A copy of the wire transfer report shall then be sent to payments@townofbwg.com with a copy to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com with the following information: Amount of wire transfer Reason for transfer (Building Permit Fees or Development Charges) Municipal address or associated plan number and lot numbers. (e.g. 123 Bradford St., or Plan 51M-1133 Lots 1-20) Once confirmation of payment is received from our finance department, your application will be processed and a copy of the receipt will be sent by email.
Homeowners and Other Projects	Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)	Click here for the pre-authorized debit form, which will allow a withdrawal directly from your bank account. Complete the form and send it with a copy of a void cheque to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com with the following information: Amount to be withdrawn Municipal address of property where work is to take place Once confirmation of payment is received from our finance department, your application will be processed.

Payments of $5,000 or less

	Method of Payment	Instructions
Any project	Credit Card	A Town of BWG staff member will call the phone number you have provided to take payment by VISA or MasterCard. A receipt will be emailed to you directly.
Any project	Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)	Click here for the pre-authorized debit form, which will allow a withdrawal directly from your bank account. Complete the form and send it with a copy of a void cheque to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com with the following information: Amount to be withdrawn Municipal address of property where work is to take place Once confirmation of payment is received from our finance department, your application will be processed. This option is ideal if you are providing a security deposit at the same time.

Security Deposits

	Method of Payment	Instructions
Any project (for details, see section 4.3 of Building By-law 2019-107)	Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)	Click here for the pre-authorized debit form, which will allow a withdrawal directly from your bank account. Complete the form and send it with a copy of a void cheque to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com with the following information: Amount to be withdrawn Municipal address of property where work is to take place Once confirmation of payment is received from our finance department, the permit card and drawings will be sent to you. The same banking information will be used for the release of the security deposit once the project is deemed complete.
Any project (for details, see section 4.3 of Building By-law 2019-107)	Wire Transfer	Please contact us at buildinginspections@townofbwg.com or 905-778-2055 ext. 1500 to advise us that you wish to make a wire transfer and we will provide you with detailed instructions. A copy of the wire transfer report shall then be sent to payments@townofbwg.com with a copy to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com with the following information: Amount of wire transfer Reason for transfer (Building Permit Fees or Development Charges) Municipal address or associated plan number and lot numbers. (e.g. 123 Bradford St., or Plan 51M-1133 Lots 1-20) Once confirmation of payment is received from our finance department, your application will be processed and a copy of the receipt will be sent by email.

The Building Division is responsible for the enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code. This includes issuing building permits and inspecting all newly constructed buildings.

May is Building Safety Month:
check out the Top 10 Reasons why a building permit is important!

A building permit must be obtained from the Town of BWG before you begin most construction projects within the municipality, as per the Building By-law.

Home Owners

How do I get information about my property?

If you are the current property owner on title and would like to request the following information for your property:

Survey
History of Permit Applications
Drawings (Architectural, Mechanical, Structural, Septic, etc.)

Please download and complete the Request for Information form, and submit your application to buildinginspections@townofbwg.com.

All applicable fees are outlined on the form. If you have any further questions, please call 905-778-2055 ext. 1500.

When is a building permit required?

You must obtain a building permit before you:

Construct any new building over ten square metres in area or place another structure, such as a mobile home, on your property
Change the use of a building
Excavate or construct a foundation
Construct a seasonal building
Undertake work regarding the installation, alteration, extension or repair of an on-site sewage system

If you are unsure whether a building permit is required, please consult with the Town’s Building Division at 905-775-5366 ext. 1500.

How do I apply for a building permit?

Visit the Building Projects page for details on the process required for specific projects.

My permit is issued, now what?

The Building Code sets out the stages of construction when different types of buildings must undergo a mandatory inspection. A Prescribed Notices for Inspections form will be provided to the Applicant upon permit pick-up which outlines what inspections are required and at what stage. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to contact the Building Division to request an inspection. During the inspection, an inspector will inspect the work to determine if it is carried out in accordance with the Building Code, your permit and the approved plans.

To request an inspection, simply contact the Building Division 48 hours in advance at 905-775-5366 ext. 1500 or buildinginspections@townofbwg.com.

Residential Builders

We're ready to work with you!

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Building Division staff issue permits and inspect properties.

Our permit administrators will provide general information or direct you to a building inspector for technical information. We will assign building inspectors to your file before you have to register your plan.

To allow this process to move as quickly as possible, please provide complete and accurate information, and carefully review all of the information we provide you.

Read below for information on how to take advantage of our Certified Model Program.

See the page of common Building Projects for information and forms for:

building an individual residence
constructing an addition
conducting a renovation
interior finishing of a residential or commercial/industrial/institutional building
changing the use of a building

Certified Model Program

The Certified Model Program is an application process prescribed by the Chief Building Official and must be completed for each model. The town of Bradford West Gwillimbury By-law defines a certified model as a unique building design for a detached dwelling, semi-detached unit or townhouse unit that has been reviewed by the Chief Building Official for compliance with the Building Code and is intended for construction pursuant to a permit issued under the Act. A certified model is not itself a building permit.

Download the Certified Model Application.

For further information on the Certified Model Program, please contact the Building Division.

Site servicing

The Fill and Site Alteration By-law requires that a permit be obtained for site servicing, as described therein.

Applicable law

Resulting from recent changes to the Ontario Building Code, the definition of applicable law has been replaced with a list of statutes and regulations. Building permit applicants must establish compliance with applicable law at the time of permit application submission.

Confirm required approvals by using the Applicable Law Checklist.

Agriculture & Food

Nutrient Management Act 2002 s. 11: Farm buildings housing animals or animal manure
Milk Act s.14: Buildings used as milk processing plant.

Charitable Institutions

Charitable Institutions Act s. 5: Where building is used for charitable institution.

Child Care Centres

Day Nurseries Act s.5: Where a building is used for a daycare.

Environment

Environmental Assessment Act s.5: major I/ C/ I projects.
MOE Certificate of Approval Environmental Protection Act s.9: where building may discharge contaminants.
Brownfield Redevelopment Environmental Protection Act s. 168: where industrial or commercial property changed to residential or parkland use.
Former Landfills, Environmental Protection Act s.46: where building on former waste disposal site.

Funeral Homes

Funeral Directors and Establishments Act s.9: where building houses a funeral establishment.

Highways

Public Transportation & Highway Improvement Act s. 34/38: permit form Minister for construction projects located within 45 meters of King's highway.

Hospitals

Public Hospitals Act s.4: New hospitals and facilities or additions to existing hospitals.
Private Hospitals Act s. 22: where house is used as a private hospital.

Public Lands Development

Work Permit, Public Lands Act s. Ont. Reg. 453/96: Construction of a building on Public Lands.

Senior Citizens

Nursing Home Licensing, Nursing Homes Act s. 4 & 5: construction, alteration or conversion of building to a nursing home.
Retirement Homes, Homes for the Aged & Rest Homes Act s.14 & Elderly Persons Centres Act s.6: Where building used as a home for the aged.

Ontario Building Code requirements for new construction

Ontario Building Code changes came into effect for all permits applied for after December 31, 2011. They are related to:

Energy efficiency for houses
Improved air barrier requirements
Occupancy permits for certain buildings of residential occupancy

Review a presentation on these requirements.

Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI)

How do I apply for a building permit?

Visit the Building Projects page for details on the process required for specific projects.