Step One: Checking with Your Local Municipality

Ok, so you’ve been awarded a project or you want to make a few changes to your property. Do you need a permit? If you have to ask the question, the answer is probably Yes.

The easiest way to answer this very important question is to go on-line to the local municipality website, Planning or Building Department. These two departments usually work hand in hand to set the criteria for permitting process. Most municipalities have information pages that you can use to verify whether or not your particular project requires a permit from them or not.

A general rule of thumb is “if your changing the value of your property, we want to know about it”. Some believe that it has to do with keeping a tab on the amount of taxes that they can expect from you. That may have something to do with it but the reality is this. If your changing any structural component of your domain, inside or out, or causing any changes in liability, your Government needs to know to ensure your safety and to make sure that each aspect of your property is in compliance with the Ontario Building Code.

Step Two: Get Face to Face

Walk into the local Town office and ask for the permit applications from the Planning and Building Departments.

First of all, this lets them know who you are, a chance to make sure your aware of all pertinent criteria related to your project. Have your list of questions and concerns ready. As a builder in the Collingwood and surrounding area, I have been to visit these departments regularly. Mostly so that they know that Alair Homes of Collingwood is a serious and viable entity, ready and willing to do business in this area. But the underlying reason is to make sure they know we are compliant with the Ontario Building Code and take our Tarion partnership seriously.

Step Three: Be Thorough and Flexible

Fill out the application completely and thoroughly. Make sure you include all applicable information that they are asking for. This is no place for short cuts. That will only result in un-necessary delays. There is a window of 10 days where the Municipality has to either process the application to completion or ask for more defined information to enable them to assign the permit.

There have been times when I have been asked to provide changes to the design drawings after submission. We are fortunate to have a designer that can provide the changes in a timely manner and will cc the requester as part of the response, meaning that getting the permit in place is important to all parties involved.

The result of a diligent application is success and a positive start to your project. If you think I’m kidding, try it any other way. I can assure you disappointment and frustration. This process doesn’t have to be scary or difficult, yet there seems to be an underlying negativity to it. Come prepared for success…

By Kevin Blair: Alair Homes Collingwood