- A new or replacement home
- Any addition to a home
- Detached structures greater than 10m² (108 ft²) in area, including shipping containers
- Detached structures 10m² (108 ft²) or less having any plumbing
- Sheds or shipping containers greater than 15m² (161 ft²) in area, used for residential storage relating to a dwelling on the same property
- 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, including new, renovations and additions to them
- Structural alterations to any building
- Demolition of a structure, or part thereof, that would otherwise would have required a building permit to be constructed
- Relocation of a structure, such as a house, shed or garage,
- Installation of a wood stove or fireplace
- Creation of rooms in a basement
- Replacement finishes for interior walls or ceilings (drywall) where a fire separation is required
- 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 and Guides
Applying for a Building or Demolition Permit?
If you are planning a construction or demolition project you will need to apply for a building permit using one of the below links to our permit portals. Also on this page are guides and resources to assist you in the application process. Each guide lists the required forms and these guides will help you submit applications, whether electronically through our online portals or in paper format.
If you don’t see your project type listed, contact us by calling 705-324-9411, extension 1288, or by emailing buildingpermits@kawarthalakes.ca.
On this page:
- Permit Application Portals
- Pre-Approved Model (PAM) Application and Guides
- Construction Guides
- When Do I Need a Building or Demolition Permit?
- Building and Demolition Permit Process Overview
- Paper Submissions
- Building, Demolition and Septic Permit Fees
- How to make a payment for Building and Septic Division applications or requests
- Application Forms and Resources
- Resource links
- Contact Us
Residential Applications
Miscellaneous Ontario Building Code Applications
Non-residential Applications
When do I need a Building Permit?
It is important that your building, demolition, septic or renovation project meets the regulations of the Ontario Building Code and the Building By-law.
If you commence construction or demolition without the benefit of a building or septic permit, you are subject to increased costs in permit fees and possible legal action and associated fines. Building and Septic permits ensure that all construction is in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Building Code Act.
If you believe construction or demolition activity on a neighbouring property requires a building, demolition or septic permit, you can contact us to see if one has been issued or you can file a complaint.
All structures, whether governed by a permit or not, are required to comply with applicable zoning requirements.
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 or septic 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 or septic, 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.
When a Building Permit Is Required
When a Building Permit Is Not Required
- 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 - within the same opening, on the main floor of a building only
- Replacement of roofing or siding – provided no framing members are altered
- Replacement finishes for interior walls or ceilings, where it is not a fire separation (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
- Demolition of a house on an agricultural zoned property
Building and Demolition Permit Process Overview
Once an application has been received it will be assigned to the area Clerk to work through the initial application intake steps with the applicant. This process includes collection of missing required documents, invoicing and receipt of payment. If you are on a septic system, you may also require a septic review or permit for your building permit application to proceed. Once all required documents and payments have been received the file will be transferred to the area Building Inspector to complete the code review and issuance of the application file. No work shall commence until a permit has been issued.
Once a permit has been issued, there shall be no change in the plans, specifications, documents or other information on which the permit was issued, unless written authorization has been obtained from the area Building Inspector. The area Building Inspector will attend the property to complete required inspections and will close the file once all construction is complete and code compliant.
Paper Submissions
We've gone paperless! If you are unable to submit electronically, please use the Consolidated Building Permit Application Guide and navigate to the section relating to your project type, for septic permits use the Residential Sewage System Permit Guide. Print and fill out all the forms for paper submission. Where the guide mentions uploads, these will be paper attachments to your application submission. There is $15 Record Scanning Fee, per submission, for all paper submissions.
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
If your application package is not dropped off at the Building and Septic Division office servicing your area, there may be a delay in processing your application due to our internal courier process.
After hours drop-off - Small items that fit into a standard mail slot can be dropped off at the above noted locations. Location 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
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.
Note: Submissions made at any of the other Service Centres (not those listed above) will be subject to a delay in processing.
Building, Demolition and Septic Permit Fees
The building, demolition and septic permit fees are calculated at the initial application stage in accordance with Schedule A of the Building by-law. The fees must be paid in full upon receipt of an invoice or notification that payment is required or the application will not continue to be processed.
An application may have multiple fees associated with it and may involve fees from more than one table in the by-law.
Also, your project may be subject to Development Charges (DCs). Your Clerk will include the DCs on your invoice if applicable.
Please note there are no additional taxes (HST) applied to Building, Demolition or Septic permit fees.
Please see the Fees and Development Charges page for more information.
How to make a payment for Building and Septic Division applications or requests
There are two options for making payments relating to Building and Septic Division applications or requests:
Online Banking – If you would like to pay through your bank, please download the information sheet titled Public Online Banking Instructions and follow the steps provided to set up the Building and Septic Division as a payee on your account.
In Person – At the following locations:
- Development Services Hub building - 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay
- Coboconk Municipal Service Centre - 9 Grandy Road, Coboconk
- Cityhall – 26 Francis Street, Lindsay
Please ensure you print off your invoice and bring it with you, as it will be required to process a payment in-person. Payment options are cash, debit or cheque, made payable to the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Application Forms and Resources
Building and Demolition Permit Application Forms
- Applicable Law Checklist
- Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish - 2026
- Building and Septic Owner Authorization
- Commitment to General Reviews by Architect and Engineers
- Demolition Information Form
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary and Guide SB-12 - Performance Method
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary and Guide SB-12 - Prescriptive Method
- HVAC Design Summary (Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design Summary)
Lot Grading Information and Forms
The following guides and documents can be found on the Development Engineering page, just click on the action button at the top of the page to navigate to the documents:
- As-Constructed Foundation Control Certificate
- Lot Grading Info Sheet
- Lot Grading Procedure Guideline
Guides and Information Forms
- Applicable Law Resources
- Off Grid Information Sheet
- Site Plan Guide
- Welding Verification
- Tents and the Ontario Building Code
Resource links
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
