On this page:
| Information | Permits and Applications |
|---|---|
| Map of Building Inspector coverage areas | |
| Building and Septic Division Complaint Form | |
| Building and Septic search of records | |
| Contact the Building and Septic Division | |
Monthly Building Closure
The Development Services Hub building at 180 Kent Street West in Lindsay is closed from 8:30am to 12pm on the first Wednesday of each month.
Building and Septic staff across the municipality are unavailable during this time. During the temporary office closure, please feel free to leave a voicemail at 705-324-9411 extension 1288, or e-mail us at buildingadmin@kawarthalakes.ca.
All other divisions located at 180 Kent Street West will be available by phone during the building closure.
What we do
The Building and Septic Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Building By-law, Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code, including private on-site sewage systems with a daily sewage flow 10,000 litres or less.
As well, administration of the following municipal by-laws:
When do I need a building permit?
It is important that your building or renovation project meets the regulations of the Ontario Building Code and the Building By-law.
If you commence construction without the benefit of a building permit, you are subject to increased costs in permit fees and possible legal action and associated fines. Building permits ensure that all construction is in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Building Code Act.
All structures, whether governed by a building permit or not, are required to comply with applicable zoning requirements.
Building permits are required for:
- A new or replacement home
- Any addition to a home
- Detached structures greater than 10m² (100 ft²) in area, including shipping containers
- Sheds or shipping containers used for residential storage relating to a dwelling on the same property greater than 15m² (161 ft²) in area
- Decks 0.6 m (2 ft.) or more above grade, at any point, and any deck or porch with a roof structure
- Repairs and replacement of deck railings and guards
- Carports, garages or boathouses
- Structural alterations
- Demolition or relocation of a house
- Installation of a wood stove or fireplace
- Creation of rooms in a basement
- Addition of a basement entrance
- Alteration or addition of any plumbing
- Alteration to a building system, such as insulation changes/additions, foundation drainage/parging for basement leaks
- Connections to water, sanitary or storm services
Building permits are not required for:
- Detached structures less than 10m² (108 ft²) in area. Note that zoning requirements still apply. Confirm the minimum location restrictions with the Building and Septic Division before proceeding
- Sheds or shipping containers used for residential storage relating to a dwelling on the same property less than 15m² (161 ft²) in area
- Decks which are less than 0.6 m (2 ft.) above grade at any point, provided the deck is not located adjacent to a private on-site sewage system (unless approved by the septic inspector)
- Replacement of windows, doors, roofing or siding – provided no framing members are altered
- Replacement finishes for interior walls or ceilings (drywall) or flooring (tiles or carpet)
- Repairs to decking boards only on a deck
- Replacement of plumbing fixtures, provided pipes are not moved or altered
- Replacement of heating and cooling units
When a complete application package has been submitted to the Building and Septic Division, your plans will be reviewed and you will receive a response within the time frame stipulated by the Province as to whether your permit will be issued or you will be provided with a list of items required to complete the application package. When permits are issued, work is to commence within 6 months, or it may be subject to revocation.
Applying for building permits overview
Building and Septic Division staff are available throughout the permit process to assist you with your application and answer any questions you may have. If you are unsure as to whether a project requires a permit, contact the Building and Septic Division at 705-324-9411 extension 1288 or buildingpermits@kawarthalakes.ca.
Your designer or contractor will often obtain the permit on your behalf. However, it is the property owner’s responsibility to comply with all Building Code requirements.
Building and Septic Applications applied for at the same time – projects that require both a building and septic permit are encouraged to be applied for both at the same time however please note, the building permit cannot be issued until the septic permit is issued.
How to make an application submission
Electronic Submission – Through our website you can submit your forms and applications. These are submitted through an email portal page. Please see the Building Permits and Guides Page for more information.
In-person drop-off - options are available during normal business hours, 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, at the following locations:
- Development Services Hub building - 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay
- Coboconk Municipal Service Centre - 9 Grandy Road, Coboconk
After hour’s drop-off - Small items that fit into a standard mail slot can be dropped off at any of the above noted Municipal Service Centres, locations of mail slot listed below:
- Development Services Hub building, adjacent to left side of the rear entrance opposite the rear parking lot, brass coloured and labelled Mail Slot – note this drop box has a limited size capacity
- Coboconk Municipal Service Centre, adjacent to the main entrance on the lower level, silver coloured and labelled Book Return
Note: All documents contained in your package must be clearly labelled with the project address, property owner’s name and placed in an envelope or bundled securely. The outside packaging must be clearly labelled “Building and Septic Division”. All items will be distributed to appropriate staff for processing your request. Please see the Building Permits and Guides Page for more information.
Zoning overview
Zoning by-laws specify the uses permitted within particular areas and contain regulations governing such matters as building setbacks, height and lot coverage. A building permit cannot be issued if the proposed construction will contravene the applicable zoning by-law. To inquire about your property’s zoning and the ability to construct a proposed building, contact a Building and Zoning Clerk at buildingpermits@kawarthalakes.ca. When making an inquiry be sure to include the following information in your e-mail: address of subject property, assessment roll number, current owner information.
If you would like to look up your own zoning please visit City Maps to look up your property on the map, found on the Planning and Development Page. Also, visit the Planning and Development Page to review the applicable zoning by-law.
Applicable Law
Approvals from other agencies are required in many instances before a building permit can be processed and issued. These approvals are not administered by the Building and Septic Division. In order to ensure your application package moves through the approval process in a timely manner, you must include these other approvals (or ensure they do not apply) before applying for a building permit. Only complete application packages are prioritized for review and issuance. An Applicable Law Checklist Form shall be submitted with all building permit and septic permit applications. Please see the Applicable Law Resources on our Building Permits and Guides Page to confirm if you are in need of permits from Applicable Law Agencies.
Tents and the Ontario Building Code
Tents or air-supported structures only require a Building Permit when the area of the structure exceeds 645 square feet (60 m2) or when the area of a group of tents exceeds 645 square feet (60 m2). Two or more tents are considered a group of tents if all the tents are not more than 9’10” apart (3 m). These can be tents for wedding or private parties and tents for commercial functions.
An inspection is required prior to the tent being put into use. Fire Prevention staff accompany the Building Inspector to perform a joint inspection organized via the Building and Septic Division.
Please see our Building Permits and Guides Page for application forms and information.
Municipal Service Connection
A Municipal Service Connection Application is required if:
- You are interested in connecting your property to a municipal water or sanitary sewer system and you live within the municipal servicing boundary for a municipal water and/or sanitary system.
- You are buying or selling a property, or are a real estate agent or developer and want to know what servicing exists or is available to the property.
- You live within the servicing boundary for a municipal water and/or sanitary system, you are required by By-Law 2014-255, to connect to the system.
Municipal Service Connections Application, Information and Instructions
Completed Municipal Service Connection Applications should be submitted prior to submitting your building permit application.
Inspections and open permits
You can schedule an inspection by:
- calling the extension number listed on your permit card,
- calling the Building and Septic Division at 705-324-9411 extension 1288, or
- by e-mailing buildingadmin@kawarthalakes.ca
Open Permits
As the property owner, please ensure that building inspections for permits on your property are carried out in a timely manner. Whether it was a minor permit to repair a deck or a major permit to construct a dwelling, a final inspection is always required.
Outstanding permits could cause delays at the time of selling your property or obtaining mortgages.
If you had a contractor complete the work for you, but never received a final inspection report, the permit may still be open or inactive. Please give us a call at 705-324-9411 extension 1288 or e-mail buildingpermits@kawarthalakes.ca, and we will gladly advise you on your permit status. If you have an open permit, with no inspections in the last 12 months, your file may be flagged for revocation due to inactivity, so please contact us with an update on your project.
Please remember the following when booking an inspection:
- Provide minimum 48 hours notice
- Quote your permit number, project location, type of inspection being requested and contact name and phone number
- Ensure your stamped copy of the permit drawings are available on site during the inspection, as well as any pertinent shop drawings, such as for trusses
- Ensure the construction relating to the inspection is ready prior to booking and that nothing has been covered up prior to the inspection time
A list of inspections relating to your particular project can be found on your building permit card.
Map of Building Inspector Coverage Areas
Map of Building Inspector Coverage Areas
Building and Septic Division Complaint Form
Complaints related to the Building Code Act and its regulations, will be received via this website or in writing at our office, on the approved complaint form. The complaint must detail the type and location of the construction, the address of the subject property, the date the construction commenced and evidence via picture can be attached. If you are submitting a concern about multiple properties, we require a submission for each property.
Complaints are confidential until such time as the complainant may be asked to testify in support of the complaint.
Any complaints with insufficient evidence or anonymous complaints may not be investigated and will be dismissed.
Complaint form for building without a permit
Complaint form for sewage system
Building and Septic Search of Records
The Building and Septic Division cannot guarantee the type or availability of documentation relating to your property. Documentation related to your inquiry may not have been provided during the building application process, may have been destroyed based on the City's retention bylaw or may not have been retained by the municipality of record prior to 2001. The Building and Septic Division does not maintain or retain legal surveys for properties.
Each search usually takes 5 to 7 days to complete. A non refundable fee of $50 is required to complete the file search. If you are applying online you will be prompted at completion of the form to pay the fee. If you are wanting to pay cash, cheque or debit, you can do so by submitting your application in paper form at our Lindsay office.
If you are doing both a Septic Use Permit Search and a Building Permit Search, you must submit a separate applications and fees for each request.
If you are applying on behalf of the owners of the property, an Owner’s Authorization must be provided with the application for search of records.
Real Estate Agents looking to confirm the status of permits, please submit a request for a Building and Septic Compliance Letter through the Building and Septic Division by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1288 or e-mail buildingadmin@kawarthalakes.ca. If you are looking to confirm the zoning of a property you will need to contact the Planning Division by calling 705-324-9411 extension 1231 or e-mail planningadmin@kawarthalakes.ca.
Building Permit Search of Records
The Building and Septic Division may have building permit records for your property dating back as far as 2001. If a permit was issued prior to 2001, or a permit has been closed, it may no longer be available due to records retention. Types of documents available may include:
- House Drawings/Blueprint/Floor Layout
- Building Permit Card
- Certificate of Final Inspection
- Occupancy Permit
- Site Plan
- Other Documentation as requested
Building Search of Records Application
Septic Use Permit Search of Records
The City of Kawartha Lakes has access to most sewage system records back as far as 1974. If the sewage system was installed prior to this date, a copy of a record will not be available.
If a record is available, you will receive either a Sewage System Use Permit (pre 1998) or a Sewage System Installation Report (after 1998). This report will provide details about the sewage system components, a sketch of the installed system and the capacity constraints.
The search usually takes 3 to 5 days to complete.
Septic Search of Records Application
Code of Conduct for Building Officials
| Code of Conduct for Building Officials |
|
The purpose of the code of conduct is to:
Building Officials undertake at all times to:
The Building Code Act provides that the performance of Building Officials will be measured against this code of conduct. In response to any allegation of a breach of this code, the Chief Building Official shall direct an investigation and where appropriate, recommend disciplinary action against any Building Official who fails to comply with this code of conduct. Where the allegation is against the chief building official, the Director of Development Services and/or the Chief Administrative Officer will direct the investigation and make such recommendations as are reasonable. In determining the appropriate discipline, the Chief Building Official or the Director of Development Services and/or the Chief Administrative Officer will have regard to the relevance of the conduct to the official's powers and responsibilities as well as the severity of any misconduct. |
Contact the Building and Septic Division:
Building and Septic Division
180 Kent Street West, Lindsay ON, K9V 2Y6
P: 705-324-9411 Ext. 1288
buildingadmin@kawarthalakes.ca
Contact Us