Building and Demolition Permits

If you are building or renovating any of the following items on your property, you may need a building permit:

• Accessory structures (detached garages, garden sheds, gazebos)
• Additional dwelling units (basement or in-house apartments)
• Decks
• Farm buildings
• Fences
• Pool enclosures
• Tents

How can I apply for a building permit?

Apply online with our new paperless plan review portal.

Clarington is improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our plan review process by moving to a new paperless system. The electronic plan review portal will help reduce the turn-around time from submission to approval and improve communication between applicant and Municipal staff. Visit the portal for instructions on creating an account and learn what documents you will need to submit a permit application.

Apply for a building permit using our electronic plan review portal.

You will need to fill out the building permit application and pay the fee. We will review your submission to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Building Code Act, zoning by-law, and all applicable laws. We will issue your building permit promptly if the proposed construction meets all the requirements.

If you are unable to apply online, are experiencing issues applying, or have questions, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2442 or email BuildingPermits@clarington.net.

Requirements for residential building permits

For new structures or additions to single-detached dwellings, semi-detached, links, duplexes and townhouses, you must provide specific information or documents with your application.

• View the requirements for residential building permits (PDF)

Do I need a building permit?

Before you start work on a new house, addition, or significant alterations to an existing house, you must apply for a building permit. Permits are geared to those projects where health and safety matters are involved, and exist to protect you, other homeowners, building occupants, future owners and the community.

Permits are normally required for:

• Building a detached (accessory) structure larger than 10 square metres
• Building an addition to your home
• Building a pool enclosure (fence) around a pool
• Raised porches or decks
• Carports or garages
• Structural alterations
• Moving or lifting your house
• Installing a hood stove or fireplace
• Partitioning a basement or adding a basement entrance
• Creating an apartment in your house
• Altering or adding any plumbing
• Demolishing a house
• Erecting a tent that is larger than 60 square metres or closer than three metres to a building

Permits are not normally required for:

• Detached structures 10 square metres or less
• Decks that are 60 centimetres or less from grade
• Replacement of windows, doors, roofing or siding
• New interior wall, floor or ceiling finishes
• Repairs to chimneys, porches, decks or roofs
• Waterproofing repairs to a basement
• Replacement of plumbing fixtures
• Replacement of a furnace

Appointment of Building Inspectors

• List of Building Inspectors (PDF)

Demolition permits

Demolition permits are required for all buildings greater than 10 square metres (108 square feet), with the exception of farm buildings.

Apply for a demolition permit using our electronic plan review portal.

• Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF)
• Demolition sign-off sheet (PDF)

Questions?

If you have questions, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2442 or email BuildingPermits@clarington.net.