Building, Business, and Development
Our Planning, Building, Economic Development, and Bylaw Enforcement staff are housed together under one department, the Economic and Development Services Department. This helps to help streamline the process of reviewing and processing applications and helps connect new businesses to resources in the community.
The type of permit you need and considerations for your project can be addressed through a number of information sheets and news bulletins that our staff have developed to help answer common questions.
What would you like to do?
Make changes to your residential property
- Add an addition to your home
- Build a fence
- Build a garage or carport
- Build a shed
- Build a secondary suite (additional dwelling unit)
- Install a fireplace or woodstove
- Install heating, plumbing, or air conditioning
- Install a pool or hot tub
- Renovate your home
- Sever land on your property
- Use a portion of your home for your business (home occupation)
- Widen, extend, or create a driveway
Learn more about current development proposals and notices
Application Process
Whether you are putting a sign out in front of your business, or renovating your home, you will need a permit.
Step 1: Find out what you can do on your property
Find out what is allowed on your property depending on its location, and which land use zone it is in. This is set out by the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw based on your property address.
Popular topics have been covered through news items and information sheets developed by Planning staff to help guide you through the requirements.
If you have any questions or need clarification, just ask! Staff are here to help pinpoint the information you need.
Step 2: Drawings and measurements
How big is it, and where is it going?
For your proposed work, you will need to know your property lines, where your house sites on your property, and how close to your property lines you will be going with your project. The allowable set backs from property lines, height limits, overall lot coverage, and other requirements are determined by the Official Plan and the Zoning Bylaw that applies to your location.
If your proposed work does not fit the requirements set out in the Official Plan or Zoning Bylaw, you may need to apply for other permits such as an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning Bylaw Amendment, Encroachment Agreement, Site Plan Control Agreement, or a Minor Variance. If required, these permits and agreements must be secured before you can apply for a building permit.
Planning Staff can discuss your project with you and advise you whether any of these applications are required. For more information about planning applications and requirements, visit our Planning Department page.
Step 3: Apply
Most work will require a building permit.
The City of Brockville now processes all building permit applications through a cloud based electronic permitting software called Cloudpermit. Apply for a building permit through Cloudpermit and attach any required supporting documentation.
Step 4: Pay the applicable fee
Fees vary depending on the scope and area of work. Fees are set annually according to the user fee bylaw. Your application is not complete until payment has been received.
Step 5: Staff will do a preliminary review
Staff will look over your application to ensure that it is complete and that all supporting documents and information are included. Staff will let you know within two business days if any required information is missing from your application.
Step 6: Review period
Staff will thoroughly review your application by checking it against the Ontario Building Code, Official Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and other City Policies and Plans, and will circulate your application to other City Departments for review and comment.
If an Official Plan Amendment, Zoning Bylaw Amendment, or Minor Variance is required, these applications must be approved and prior to submitting a building permit application.
It can take anywhere from 10 to 40 days to get your building permit.
They are often delayed because of:
- Incomplete drawings
- Zoning compliance mistakes
- Incomplete applicable law approvals (such as City Planning or Conservation Authority Permits)
When the permit application is received it will be deemed complete or incomplete. A complete application includes all required forms, documents and drawings and applicable law approvals.
Our target review timelines for an application depend on the application’s status as complete or incomplete. Below is a summary of our target review deadlines for the first review cycle, measured in business days. The timelines for complete applications begin from the date that the Completeness of Application Review is approved. The timelines for incomplete applications begin from the date the estimated permit fees are paid in full.
Target review deadlines for the first review cycle
Houses and other small projects:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 20 Business Days
Non-Stacked Townhouse Blocks:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 25 Business Days
Small buildings other than houses:
- Complete Applications: 15 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 30 Business Days
Stacked Townhouse Blocks:
- Complete Applications: 15 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 30 Business Days
Large buildings:
- Complete Applications: 20 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 40 Business Days
Complex buildings:
- Complete Applications: 30 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 40 Business Days
Tents:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 10 Business Days
Interior alterations of non-housing projects:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 10 Business Days
Demolition permits:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 20 Business Days
Plumbing, Housing:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 10 Business Days
Plumbing, other than Housing:
- Complete Applications: 15 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 15 Business Days
Certified Models:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 15 Business Days
Sign Permits:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 20 Business Days
Pool Enclosure Permits:
- Complete Applications: 10 Business Days
- Incomplete Applications: 10 Business Days
We can’t process incomplete applications. We may abandon your application if it is inactive for 6 months or more.
Step 7: Permit Issued
Your building permit application will be approved or denied. If approved, you will be issued your permit and work can proceed. You will receive a checklist for when you will need to schedule a building inspection as you complete work stages for your project.
If your permit is denied, staff will discuss which areas of your project do not meet the Ontario Building Code and other City Policies and will discuss possible solutions.
Step 8: Inspections
Our Building Inspector will check major phases of construction throughout the project until it is complete. Inspections can be scheduled through Cloudpermit. Once construction is complete, the Inspector will do a final inspection and close the permit file.