Building Division
Please note that Town of BWG offices are closed. As a proactive measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, new restrictions have been placed on Multiple Residential /ICI inspections, and on-site building inspections are temporarily suspended for all homeowner projects unless an emergency inspection is required related to the safety of the building or structure. See below for details.
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.
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.
We can process your application quickly and efficiently when provided with all of the necessary information.
Modified Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
How have COVID-19 precautions affected the Building Division?
In light of the State of Emergency declared by the Premier and the most recent recommendations for precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Town of BWG has made the following adjustments to programs and services.
Municipal administration offices are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until at least Monday, April 6. Staff will be working remotely and the Town will continue to offer service as much as possible by phone, email or by appointment if an urgent in-person interaction is necessary.
The Building Division has made adjustments to procedures for permits and inspections as outlined in the sections below.
We will continue to monitor this situation and notify you of any changes to our temporary services.
Please continue to check the Town’s COVID-19 page for updates. We will do our best to accommodate your requests; however, delays may occur. We apologize in advance and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at
buildinginspections@townofbwg.com or 905-775-5366 ext. 1500. We appreciate your support in keeping our community safe.
Can I apply for a Building Permit?
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?
Some types of inspections have been suspended and there are some new restrictions in place as a proactive measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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:
- On-site building inspections are temporarily suspended for all homeowner projects unless an emergency inspection is required related to the safety of the building or structure.
- For simple construction, photos MAY be accepted at the discretion of the Inspector and may be sent to
buildinginspections@townofbwg.comm.
Multiple Residential/Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI):
- On-site building inspections are temporarily suspended for all ICI projects.
- In lieu of the building inspection, Professional field reviews will be accepted and may be sent to
buildinginspections@townofbwg.com.
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
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Method of Payment |
Instructions
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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 finservices@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 to finservices@townofbwg.com and copy 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.
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Payments of $5,000 or less
|
Method of Payment |
Instructions
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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.
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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 to finservices@townofbwg.com and copy 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
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?
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
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
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Nutrient Management Act 2002 s. 11: Farm buildings housing animals or animal manure
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Milk Act s.14: Buildings used as milk processing plant.
Charitable Institutions
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Charitable Institutions Act s. 5: Where building is used for charitable institution.
Child Care Centres
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Day Nurseries Act s.5: Where a building is used for a daycare.
Environment
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Environmental Assessment Act s.5: major I/ C/ I projects.
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MOE Certificate of Approval Environmental Protection Act s.9: where building may discharge contaminants.
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Brownfield Redevelopment Environmental Protection Act s. 168: where industrial or commercial property changed to residential or parkland use.
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Former Landfills, Environmental Protection Act s.46: where building on former waste disposal site.
Funeral Homes
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Funeral Directors and Establishments Act s.9: where building houses a funeral establishment.
Highways
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Public Transportation & Highway Improvement Act s. 34/38: permit form Minister for construction projects located within 45 meters of King's highway.
Hospitals
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Public Hospitals Act s.4: New hospitals and facilities or additions to existing hospitals.
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Private Hospitals Act s. 22: where house is used as a private hospital.
Public Lands Development
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Work Permit, Public Lands Act s. Ont. Reg. 453/96: Construction of a building on Public Lands.
Senior Citizens
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Nursing Home Licensing, Nursing Homes Act s. 4 & 5: construction, alteration or conversion of building to a nursing home.
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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?
