Building and Renovating

The Town of Newmarket's Building Division will assist you with your building projects such as new construction, additions and demolitions.

Most renovation, alteration, construction and demolition projects require a Building Permit prior to work commencing work. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) governs construction, renovation and change-of-use in all of Ontario. The OBC establishes detailed technical requirements and minimum standards for building within the province. For more information, visit or contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Many projects require building permits, which can be applied for through our online Development Portal. The Building Division, under the Development and Infrastructure Commission, is responsible for the enforcement of The Building Code Act and The Building Code Regulations. ​​

Submit and track building permits

Please check your "Junk" Mail folder often throughout your Building Permit process as some emails may be sent there.

On this page

When you need a building permit

If you are planning on constructing or demolishing any of the following, you will need a Building Permit:

 

Structural Exterior Openings and EntrancesMechanical & Energy Systems
New home or addition to an existing homeDeck greater than 10 square metres, attached to the home or is 600mm above gradeNew or enlarged windows/doorsMechanical alterations (HVAC/plumbing)
Walls – adding or removingRaised porches or decksCreating new openings for, or increasing the size of, doors and windowsInstalling a wood stove or fireplace
Any structural alterationsEnclosed or unenclosed porchBelow grade entrance or basement walkoutSolar panels
Moving or lifting a homeCarports or garages  
Fire damage repairsDetached structure greater than 15 square meters (161 square feet)  
Finishing a basementRetaining walls greater than 1 meter in height  
Creating an additional residential unit (ARU) (i.e. second suite, in-law suite)Pools and hot tubs, fences and signs [PDF/616KB] may require a permit  

 

Typically, the following activities do not require a building permit:

  • Construction or demolition of a standalone building under 15 square meters, with no plumbing
  • Construction or demolition of decks not attached to a house and under 10 square metres
  • Replacing doors and/or windows that are the same size as existing
  • Building detached (structurally independent​) structures 15 square meters (161 square feet) or less in area
  • Floor and ceiling finishes
  • Repairs to chimneys, porches, decks or roofs
  • Waterproofing repairs to basement (no plumbing involved)
  • Replacement of furnace (no building alterations)
  • Painting or decorating

If your proposed project is not listed above, we encourage you contact building.permits@newmarket.ca for more information to ensure your project does not require a permit.

Permit application process

Steps to apply

To prepare a building permit application, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Determine what applicable law applies to the subject property. We recommend reviewing your properties zoning requirements, which can be found on the Town's Navigating Newmarket Portal (for instructions on using the portal, visit Zoning By-laws). The map can help you determine if your property is located within the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) or if the structure is located on the Heritage Registry.
  2. Prepare working drawings that are accurate, to scale and describe the construction you are proposing. For more information on what drawings are required and what is required on these drawings, see Forms and Documents.
  3. Complete all applicable application forms. Ensure to include the Applicant and Owner contact information where applicable.
  4. Submit your application and all documents through the Development Portal. All construction drawings should be in unlocked PDF format, in black and white only, with the date of submission within the titleblock. Links to external fileshare sites or .zip files and .jpegs will not be accepted.
  5. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated confirmation email. A Building Services Technician will contact you regarding fees owing and how to make payment. Building Permit fees are calculated as per the current Building Permit Fees Schedule. Keep an eye on your emails, as you may receive an email requesting more information from the Building Services Technician or the Plans Examiners regarding your application.

Note that a Zoning Preliminary Review is required prior to building permit application submission for the following applications: 

  • Additional Residential Unit
  • Addition
  • Deck, shed, pavilion or gazebo
  • Demolition
  • New construction

Costs

The Building Permit fee is established through the Fees and Charges By-law. The fee covers the cost of reviewing the construction plans for compliance with the Ontario Building Code and applicable laws, such as the zoning by-laws, the Heritage Act, etc., as well as the issuance of the permit and the required inspections of the construction at specific stages of completed construction.

Review a comprehensive list of Building Services related fees on the Fees and Charges page under Building Services Division. Building Permit fees must be paid at the time the application is submitted.

Your project may also be subject to development charges, including education development charges. Development Charges vary based on the type of proposed construction, the location of the proposed construction, etc. Development Charges are calculated once the review of your application is completed, (i.e., zoning, grading and Building Code reviews have been completed), prior to issuing the Building Permit. Development Charges are calculated at the time the permit is issued.

Timelines

Once the building permit application form, fees, and all submission requirements have been received and deemed complete, we require approximately 10 to 15 working days to review the documentation and advise whether the Building Permit will be issued or not. If not, we will provide a deficiency letter outlining the elements that must be addressed before the permit can be issued. It is not possible to predict beyond the first turnaround time, as your timeliness in responding to our letter of deficiency will dictate the timing of the issuance of the permit. Thus, the more complete and comprehensive your application and submission documents, the quicker the permit review process will be.

Forms and documents

To obtain a Building Permit for any renovations and/or repairs, you will need to review and complete some or all of the following forms:

In addition to the above forms, the drawings you need to provide with a building permit application vary depending on the scope of work.

A typical building permit application should include the below types of drawings:

All drawings to be submitted must be in an unlocked PDF and in black and white format with the date of submission within the title block. No colour drawings will be accepted. 

To confirm what drawings you will need, please contact a Building Services Technician at building.permits@newmarket.ca or 905-953-5300 ex. 2400.

Once you have a permit

Once your application is approved and you have a building permit, follow these steps to begin your project: 

  1. Print and post the Permit Card in a conspicuous place on your property, and review permit plans prior to starting construction.
  2. Print out all construction drawings and ensure to always have a copy of the reviewed permit plans on site.
  3. Review your list of required inspections located on the reviewed permit plans. Ensure to contact inspections@newmarket.ca two (2) days prior to your inspection time. Inspections are booked Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  4. Contact local utilities such as NT Power, gas and telephone prior to starting any excavation to determine the location of nearby underground services. These services operate independently from the Town of Newmarket and should be contacted regarding their specific approval and inspection requirements.

Construction can commence once the building permit has been issued. The construction must seriously commence within six months of the building permit being issued, or the permit can be revoked. If the construction has been substantially suspended or discontinued for more than a year, the building permit may be revoked.

Inspections

The type of inspections required depends on the type of work being completed, can be found on your reviewed permit plans under “Mandatory Inspections”. To book an inspection, please contact inspections@newmarket.ca. Two days' notice is required to book an inspection.

Zoning Preliminary Review (ZPR)

A Zoning Preliminary Review (ZPR) is a detailed review of a proposal intended for a future building permit application to ensure compliance with the Zoning By-laws and other applicable law. A ZPR is separate to a building permit application and does not permit you to begin construction. Applications are now being accepted via our Development Portal. 

Required information

The following is required to be submitted (at minimum) with your application for Zoning Preliminary Review:

  1. Zoning Preliminary Review Information Sheet(s). Please ensure to provide the appropriate Zoning Preliminary Review Information Sheet with your application:
  2. Applicable Law Declaration [PDF/193KB]
  3. Site plan
  4. Floor plans
  5. Minimum of two (2) elevations (front and side)
For information on the minimum submission requirements for the above drawings, please review the "Drawings" tab under "Application Forms and Required Documents" below.
 

Fees 

The fee for a ZPR is separate to a building permit application, however it is deducted from the building permit fee when submitted. Calculated in accordance with a permitted use letter under the current Building Permit Fees Schedule. For substantial revisions to an application, additional fees may be incurred. 

Review timeline

Our goal is to complete an initial review and provide a written response within five (5) business days. 

Frequently asked questions