Undergo preliminary project review with the Municipal Authority
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
The Preliminary Project Review is a review of a proposal to determine its compliance with the city’s zoning bylaw.
Time and cost: 30 days, CAD 547
Apply and obtain a zoning certificate
Agency: Chief Building Controller
Under Chapter 363-3.1 of the Toronto Municipal Code, a zoning certificate is mandatory prior to requesting a building permit. The zoning certificate costs 25% of the total prescribed building permit fee. Once the application has been received and payment is made, the application will be circulated to city divisions and external agencies for detailed technical review and comments.
Within 30 days of payment of the application fee, a written notice will be provided to the applicant with regards to the completeness or incompleteness of the application, and the applicant will be assigned a STAR stream and application file number.
Time and cost: 30 days, CAD 3,716
Obtain site plan approval from the Municipal Authority
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
A pre-consultation with City Staff (Planning Department) is advised. This step will help save time later on in the process. Several documents are needed in this application, including Site Plans, Floor Plans, Elevations, and SWM Plan.
Site Plan Control is legislated under Section 41 the Ontario Planning Act and allows the City to review and control important aspects of a proposed project, for example, the site of buildings, landscaping, pedestrian access, parking, exterior design and appearance, storm water management and waste disposal.
The municipality forwards the site plan to the fire department for approval. On some occasions, a City councilor will get involved in the review of the site plan and community consultation may be requested by the planner. The process can take anywhere from 3 month to 9 months depending on the complexity of the site plan, political interests, and on how often the applicant needs to revise the plan to meet the City’s desired revisions. Once approved, the City often has conditions that need to be met before building permit can be obtained.
Time and cost: 180 days, CAD 31,042
Obtain building permit
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
The building permit is issued by the City of Toronto. BuildCo must post the building permit on the construction site. In certain cases, the process of reviewing the building permit application can be started by the City before the site plan is approved. The City can issue a temporary building permit at that time. However, the final building permit cannot be issued before the site approval is granted. The building permit and the site plan approval are granted by different municipal departments. The site plan approval entails verifying planning compliance with the city bylaws (for instance, if enough parking spaces are included in the plans). In contrast, the building permit application review analyzes technical issues.
The Ontario Building Code requires that on top of including all design plans and plot information, one must include a form ensuring energy efficiency, completed by the architect, mechanical designer, and electrical designer.
This price includes the cost of the application intake, review, and inspection activities.
Time and cost: 15 days, CAD 11,149
Request and receive foundation work inspection
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction to ensure that work complies with the building code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit several times, depending on the project; they must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive frame inspection
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
To conduct a frame inspection, building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction. This is required to ensure that the work complies with the building code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit several times, depending on the project; they must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive drainage inspection
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction. This is required to ensure that work complies with the building code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit several times, depending on the project; they must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection. Inspection is done upon completion, before back filling and ready for testing.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive sanitary inspection
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction. This is required to ensure that work complies with the building code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit several times, depending on the project; they must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection. Inspection is done upon completion, before back filling and ready for testing.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive plumbing inspection
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
Building inspectors review projects during key stages of construction. This is required to ensure that work complies with the building code and approved plans. Inspectors may visit several times, depending on the project; they must be able to see the part of the work under inspection. Inspectors require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book an inspection. Inspection is done upon completion, before back filling and ready for testing.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain water and sewer service connections
Agency: Toronto Water: Water Renewal Division
This procedure can only be completed after the site plan approval has been granted. The City has implemented a process in 2008 by which the connection work is carried out by any one of 8 listed contractors. Once the application has been submitted, the City sends out a Request for Quotations (RFQ) from the contractors. The desired contractor is chosen based on the list of quotes and a deposit is collected.
Toronto Water estimates the costs by tendering the job to a roster of approved City of Toronto contractors. The costs are later communicated to the applicant, who is required to pay all fees in advance of construction. Once the work is complete, the actual costs will be determined.
Time and cost: 14 days, CAD 7,500
Request and receive fire department inspection
Agency: Fire Department, Toronto Municipal Authority
The fire department inspector conducts this inspection.
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Receive final inspection and occupancy permit
Agency: Toronto Municipal Authority
The building inspector conducts the final inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
