Pickering Building Permits Durham

Pickering Building permits govern all buildings allowed in the neighbourhood and guarantee the security of the landowner, licenced contractors, and the community. Approved blueprints must adhere to the Ontario Building Code, local zoning laws, and other pertinent laws and regulations.

Too busy or inexperienced to handle your assignment on your own? You may permit a licenced contractor or designer to apply for the permit on your behalf.

When are Permits Necessary?

As the building owner/constructor, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that all building regulations are met. If Pickering building permits are not obtained, there may be expensive delays in construction, fines, legal repercussions, and/or the removal of completed work at your expense.

Below is a list of typical projects that might need a building permit. This is not a complete list; please contact Building Services if you have any questions.

Construction of new buildings or additions, such as:

• A new structure or a building
• Plumbing of any kind
• Additions, ground floor, and/or additional storeys
• Garages, carports, or porte-cochère
• Alterations to the interior of the tenant’s home
• 'Fit-up' work for new tenants' improvements.
• Tenant spaces for live work
• Saunas, solariums, and sunrooms
• Fireplace or chimney
• Fireplace or wood-burning stove
• Plumbing and/or heating systems
• Reverse valve
• Backflow prevention devices and plumbing

Modifying a space's or building's intended usage, such as:

• Extra units or tenant spaces
• Conversions of Garages
• completing a basement
• Wall additions and removals
• A Pickering building permit is necessary for any proposed use change, even without construction. (For example, office space to retail or from a basement den to bedroom)

Structures or buildings used as accessories, such as:

• Decks: Enclosed or Open
• Shed in the Garden
• Greenhouse
• Porches and elevated or connected platforms
• Pavilions
• Workshop
• Cabana or pool house
• Prebuilt sheds, trellis structures, or kits purchased from stores
• Over 15 square meters* (161 square feet) in size, the accessory structure

Demolition, remodelling, or interior changes to already-existing structures, such as:

• Moving Any Structure
• Completing a basement
• Changes in materials or structure
• Removing or adding walls to alter the size or purpose of a room
• Doors or windows added when none previously existed
• Expanding or moving windows or doors that are already there
• Enclosing any size pre-existing patio, porch, or deck
• Installing or making changes to plumbing and/or heating systems
• Laying foundations or doing excavation
• Basement Foundation
• Building a Basement Entryway (P. Eng. Needed)
• Including a second suite
• Solar panels, rooftop water retention devices, or green roofs
• Solar Heaters and Collectors

Additional Structures such as:

• Generator with a wind turbine (rated output greater than 3kW)
• Build a deck over 60 centimetres (24 inches) above the ground.
• Build a retaining wall** that is higher than one metre (3 feet, 3 inches).
• Tents
• Signs (ground or building)
• *Note: Regardless of size, a building permit is necessary if you are creating an ancillary structure that is connected to an existing building, has plumbing, or both.
• ** Retaining walls as long as they are on or close to publicly owned land (such as streets), building entrances, and publicly accessible private property.

What are some Pickering Building Permit Exceptions?

As the building owner/constructor, you must ensure all building regulations are met. If building permits are not obtained, there may be expensive delays in construction, fines, legal repercussions, and/or the removal of completed work at your expense. Below is a list of typical projects that might need a building permit.

This is not a complete list; please contact Building Services with any questions.

Construction of new buildings or additions, such as:

• New Construction
• Any Work in Plumbing
• Ground floor and/or additional storey additions
• Carports, garages, and porte-cochère
• Interior Tenant Modifications
• 'Fit-up' work for new tenants' improvements.
• Tenant spaces for live work
• Saunas, Solariums, and Sunrooms
• Fireplace or chimney
• Fireplace or wood-burning stove
• Plumbing and/or heating systems
• Reverse valve
• Backflow prevention devices and plumbing

Modifying a space's or building's intended usage, such as:

• Extra units or tenant spaces
• Conversions of Garages
• Completing a basement
• Wall additions and removals
• A Pickering building permits is necessary for any proposed change of use, even without any construction (for example, office space to retail or from a basement den to bedroom).

Structures or buildings used as accessories, such as:

• Decks: Enclosed or Open
• Shed in the Garden
• Greenhouse
• Porches and elevated or connected platforms
• Pavilions
• Workshop
• Cabana or pool house
• Pre-built sheds, trellis structures, or kits purchased from stores
• Over 15 square metres* (161 square feet) in size, the accessory structure

Demolition, remodelling, or interior changes to already-existing structures, such as:

• Moving Any Structure
• Completing a basement
• Changes in materials or structure
• Removing or adding walls to alter the size or purpose of a room
• Doors or windows added when none previously existed
• Expanding or moving windows or doors that are already there
• Enclosing any size pre-existing patio, porch, or deck
• Installing or making changes to plumbing and/or heating systems
• Laying foundations or doing excavation
• Basement Foundation
• Building a Basement Entryway (P. Eng. Needed)
• Including a second suite
• Solar panels, rooftop water retention devices, or green roofs
• Solar Heaters and Collectors

Additional Structures such as:

• Generator with a wind turbine (rated output greater than 3kW)
• Build a deck over 60 centimetres (24 inches) above the ground.
• Build a retaining wall** that is higher than one metre (3 feet, 3 inches).
• Tents
• Signs (above or below)
• *Note: Regardless of size, a building permit is necessary if you are creating an ancillary structure that is connected to an existing building, has plumbing, or both.
• ** Retaining walls as long as they are on or close to publicly owned land (such as streets), building entrances, and publicly accessible private property.

Why is Pre-Permit Planning Necessary?

Please ensure you have reviewed all necessary forms and documentation and that they are prepared for upload in an unlocked, compressed PDF file for submission.

• Documents Needed for Online Permit Submission List

Before a building permit is issued, several properties in the City of Pickering need to meet additional conditions.

A Step-by-Step Building Permit Application Guide

Most Building Services Department of Pickering services are accessible via virtual communications and the Internet.

They have moved to an electronic procedure for granting and applying for building permits, and they no longer accept forms, documents, or drawings in printed, hard copy form at the counter.

Applicants should verify the digital submission requirements specific to their project type by visiting the website and contacting Building Services personnel.

The staff will then link the applicant to the digital permit system so one can apply for a non-residential building permit. There, one will need to submit all the necessary paperwork and drawings.

The Permit Submission Portal on the Building Services Department of Pickering website is the new online application portal for small residential building permits.

One can also walk to the City Development front counter at the Civic Centre or contact them by phone at 905.420.4631 or by email at citydev@pickering.ca.

*Electronic drawings sent to this email address will not be acknowledged or examined.

Also, one needs to inform the Building Services Department of Pickering at the time of your new permit application if a house or other structure has recently been destroyed by fire or suffered damage from one. 

Note: A tax reduction may also be applicable for fire damage. For further information, please email propertytaxes@pickering.ca or call 905.420.4614, the tax office.

How to Apply for a Building Permit Online?

Please make sure you are prepared to upload the necessary papers.

Click the Online Application Portal to start the Small Residential Building Permit Application process.

One can also call the Building Services at 905.420.4631 to start applying for any other building permits. To apply, go to the Application Process tab. All applications must be submitted online

What are the Fees & Review Timelines for Building Permits?

The fees and review timelines for building permits are as follows:

The Fees

Schedule B of the Building By-law offers a comprehensive inventory of all possible fees. Note that changes to the fees, deposits, and charges are always possible. Before submitting your application, one is advised to verify all rates with the Building Services Department of Pickering personnel.

A building permit will be granted after all fees, deposits, and charges have been paid and the Building Services Department of Pickering has verified compliance with the Ontario Building Code. See their Schedule of Application Fees and Information Price List for the current permit fees. For further details on development charges, click this website.

When a building services clerk instructs one to pay online, go to their online payment forms page.

The Timeline

If an application complies with zoning regulations, the Ontario Building Code, and other agency requirements—like those of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority or the Region of Durham Health Department, if applicable—the city will issue Pickering building permits immediately. The Building Services Department of Pickering will evaluate the application for compliance and issue the permit more quickly if the permit submission is more thorough. The building clerk can reasonably estimate when the permit will be issued after it has been submitted.

Construction may begin at any point within six months of the building permit's issuance date. Never begin construction before obtaining a building permit.

What Steps to Take for Permit Revisions?

One will need to revise the permission application to modify a permit already granted.

To help with this procedure, please contact a Building Services Clerk at 905.420.4631 or citydev@pickering.ca.