For more guidance on the application process, please scroll down.
A building permit is your formal permission to begin construction or demolition. It means that the City of Belleville has reviewed the plans for any proposed structure, addition or renovation for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, Zoning By-laws, and other Applicable laws and regulations.
BEFORE APPLYING
Please note that prior to applying for a building permit, it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary approvals or permits have been obtained from other agencies for any Applicable Law identified in the Ontario Building Code that is relevant to your project. These approvals are required as part of a complete building permit application package.
When is a Building Permit required? |
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It is unlawful to start construction without the required permits. If you start construction without the necessary permits, you may be ordered to stop work, ordered to remove work already done, and you could also be subject to prosecution for contravention of the Ontario Building Code. Some examples of when an application is required to be obtained are before you do any of the following:
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When is a Building Permit not required? |
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The list provided is a list of work that does not require a Building Permit. However, we do advise that you check with our Planning Department to ensure that the work is compliant with the Zoning By-law.
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Complete building permit applications can be submitted online at any time. At the present time this method is preferred. If necessary permits can be submitted Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. at City Hall in our Building & By-law Enforcement Section on the 2nd Floor, located at 169 Front Street, Belleville. Due to current COVID restrictions it is strongly recommended that an appointment be made with the Permit Clerk. Please note that delays may still occur.
To contact us, call 613-967-3204 or fax us at 613-967-3262.
With any projects that require you to dig, such as building a fence, building a deck or even putting in a pool, be sure to contact Ontario One Call.
If your project involves electrical work, be sure to contact the Electrical Safety Authority to see if you require a permit. Here is what you need to know.
Building Service Reports |
| The Building Services Report is prepared by the Engineering and Development Services - Building Section on a monthly basis. These reports provide public access to construction summaries and statistics of the monthly Building & Demolition permit activity within the City of Belleville. |
Application process
Applicable Law
The Ontario Building Code references many other Applicable Laws. All relevant Applicable Law approvals are required to have been received prior to your building permit application being deemed complete. Review of building permit applications for OBC compliance begins when the application is deemed complete.
Please note that most Applicable Law approvals will require additional time. Please contact the respective agencies early in your project planning process to determine how long this will be. These time lines are not established by the Building Section and are outside of the control of the City of Belleville.
Some common Applicable Laws that may apply are:
- Ministry of Transportation - You may require a work permit for work on your property if a portion of your property falls within MTO Controlled Areas along provincial highways.
- Quinte Conservation - You may require a permit from Quinte Conservation if a portion of your property falls within areas regulated by them. These requirements are established by the Conservation Authorities Act to provide for the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario.
- Zoning Approval (Planning Section) - Every property within the City has specific rules that govern the use of the property including location and size of buildings. Please contact the Planning Section to discuss your plans.
- Record of Site Condition - A change of use of a property to a more sensitive land use will usually trigger the need for a Record of Site Condition as required by the Environmental Protection Act. One example is conversion of former industrial or commercial properties to residential uses. For more information please consult the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks.
- Development Charges - For many projects a development charge is required to be paid in addition to building permit fees.
Some additional Applicable Laws information has been provided below. A full list of Applicable Laws can be found within the Ontario Building Code.
Administrative Control Area (AC-01)
Projects located within the AC-01 area are required to comply with the Health and Safety By-Law. No. 2020-21. The Administrative Control Area (AC-01) is generally located south of the CP Rail tracks, west of South John Street, east of Victoria Harbour and north of Harbour Drive. If your project is within this area please refer to the detailed map included within the Health and Safety Bylaw to confirm if your project is impacted and additional information you may need.
Applying for a building permit
Once you have received any required Applicable Law approvals you may then apply for a building permit. After the Building Section has your application, we check to see if your application package is complete. A complete application will include at minimum Applicable Law approval documentation, the building permit application form package, paid building permit fees, and an acceptable set of plans. We require but are not limited to applicable law approval documentation, the building permit application form, fees, an acceptable set of plans and a plot plan if the project includes exterior work. Some projects may require additional documentation. The plans must be neatly drawn to scale and include enough information for inspectors to determine if they are code compliant with the Ontario Building Code and other applicable laws. If a permit application submission is deemed incomplete a letter will be provided to the applicant outlining missing items. OBC plan review does not start until the application is deemed complete. A complete application helps to avoid delays.
Documents that may be required are as follows (for your convenience links have been provided where available):
Application Forms |
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Request a copy of the Application to Construct or Demolish form. |
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Designer Information Forms |
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Schedule 1: Designer Information |
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Energy Efficiency Design Forms |
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Printable Information Guides |
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Accessory Buildings Serving a Dwelling Unit |
Fees
Building permit fee are due at the time of permit application. Fees, charges and refunds are calculated based on the Building By-Law No. 2010-88 with 2015-46 amendment.
Building Permit Fees |
| Application fees are calculated in accordance with Schedule “A” within our Building By-Law under part 6. Without payment of the required fee the application shall be deemed to be incomplete. |
Construction Without a Permit |
| Building without a permit can result in an administrative fee in accordance with Schedule “A” within our Building By-Law under part 6 in addition to any other penalty under the Ontario Building Code Act, Ontario Building Code, or in the Building By-Law. |
Cancellations/Changes |
| Refunds must be requested within twelve months of issuance of the permit. The terms of requesting a refund can be found within our Building By-Law under part 6. |
Development Charges |
| Development charges are calculated in accordance with the Development Charges By-Law. For many projects a development charge is applicable. It is important to note that although these fees are not due until the time of permit issuance, they are based on the rate that is in effect on the date of permit issuance rather than the date of permit application. |
Plan review
Once your permit application is considered complete, a plan review will be undertaken and your permit will either be issued or the reasons for its refusal will be provided in writing within the review period set out in the Ontario Building Code.
Review periods |
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The review period begins the day after your application is considered complete. The review periods are under Table 1.3.1.3. of Div. C of the Ontario Building Code.
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On-site inspections
The Building Inspector may visit a site several times depending on the project. Work that requires inspection must not be covered, concealed or enclosed before it is inspected.
It is the owner's (or contractor's) responsibility to notify the building inspector when ready for an inspection. An inspection will take place within 2 business days.
Booking an inspection
To book an inspection, please contact the building inspector that issued the permit. If the building inspector is unavailable, contact the Records Management Representative or the Permit Clerk of the Building Section.
Applicable laws: additional information
As indicated above the OBC references many additional Applicable Laws that are required to be addressed prior to a building permit being issued. For your convenience links to some of the OBC referenced legislation and regulations have been provided below. Please consult the Ontario Building Code for a complete list of Applicable Laws.
Local municipality |
Planning ActThe Planning Act is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. It describes how land uses may be controlled, and who may control them. Ontario Planning and Development ActThe Planning Act is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. The purpose of the act is to promote sustainable economic development in a healthy natural environment within a provincial policy framework. Ontario New Home Warranties Plan ActThe Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act covers all new homes. It does not cover renovated, previously occupied and some other types of home. It does not cover what it lists as items and deficiencies, including normal wear and tear, and damage for reasons such as poor maintenance. Ontario Heritage ActThe Ontario Heritage Act, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage value or interest. Development Charges ActThe Development Charges Act, 1997 enables municipalities in the province to enact by-laws to impose development charges against lands to be developed to pay for growth-related capital costs for municipal services such as roads, water, wastewater, public works, recreation, police and fire protection. |
Conservation authorities |
Conservation Authorities ActThe purpose of this Act is to provide for the organization and delivery of programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario. Contact Quinte Conservation Authorities, our local Conservation Authorities to check if your application is effected by this act. Clean Water ActThe Clean Water Act is a law enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this Act is to protect existing and future sources of drinking water. Environmental Assessment ActThe Environmental Assessment Act sets out a planning and decision-making process so that potential environmental effects are considered before a project begins. The act applies to: provincial ministries and agencies. Municipalities, such as towns, cities, and counties. Environmental Protection ActThe Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes provision for the improved control of pollution to the air, water and land by regulating the management of waste and the control of emissions. Public Lands ActTo achieve effective stewardship of public land and to protect Crown interests from activities occurring on adjacent, privately owned shore lands through the issuance of work permits. |
Provincial agencies |
HighwayPublic Transportation and Highway Improvement ActThis Act come into effect when construction is adjacent to a highway, or is within 800m of highway and will generate major traffic. Check to see if you fall within MTO regulated areas. EducationChild Care and Early Years ActThe Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 ( CCEYA ) governs child care in Ontario. The legislation supports the health and safety of children, increases the government's oversight of caregivers, and helps parents make informed choices about their child care options Education ActThis legislation provides authority for the creation of all of the main features of the education system. The Education Act sets in law the powers and responsibilities of the Minister of Education and School Boards, the authority of principals and teachers, and the rights and responsibilities of parents and students. Agriculture and FoodMilk ActThe purpose and intent of this Act is to provide for the control and regulation in any or all respects of the quality of milk, milk products and fluid milk products within Ontario. Nutrient Management ActThe purpose of this Act is to provide for the management of materials containing nutrients in ways that will enhance protection of the natural environment and provide a sustainable future for agricultural operations and rural development. |