Interior Alterations

Designer requirements

All drawings submitted for building permit applications are required to be prepared and reviewed by a qualified designer, architect or professional engineer or as outlined in the Ontario Building Code.

All drawings prepared by an architect or professional engineer must be sealed, signed and dated. A general review, where required by the Ontario Building Code, is to be conducted during construction by an architect or professional engineer.

The Ontario Building Code requires qualified and registered designers, other than architects or professional engineers, who review and take responsibility for design activities to include the following information on all documents submitted:

• The name and Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) of the registered firm
• A statement that the qualified person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities
• The name and BCIN of the qualified person
• The signature of the qualified person

Drawing requirements

A PDF copy of the construction drawing must be provided.

All drawings are to be designed to a minimum scale of 1:75 or 3/16ths equals one foot. Drawings are to be fully dimensioned, signed and dated, and include information such as:

• Key plan, indicating:
  • The location of the subject unit in relation to the rest of the building
  • The existing uses of the abutting units
• Structural plans, including:
  • Detailed structural drawings
  • Construction details and design specifications for all proposed structural modifications
• Mechanical plans, including:
  • HVAC distribution system layout
  • Proposed unit size
  • Location and specification of proposed equipment
  • Location of ducts, including sizes and volume
  • Damper and fire stop flap locations
  • Heating and cooling load calculations
• Plumbing plans, including:
  • The location of all existing and proposed plumbing fixtures
  • The location and sizes of all below-slab and above-slab plumbing and venting
• Sprinkler plans, including:
  • Proposed sprinkler layout
  • Hydraulic calculations (where applicable) that conform with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13
• Electrical plans, including:
  • The location of all required exit signs and emergency lighting
• Fire-alarm system plans, including:
  • Fire-alarm drawings conforming to Underwriters Laboratories Canada S524
  • Maglocks and hold open devices locations – including technical information relating to the device(s) and specifications relating to connection to the fire-alarm system
• Notes indicating all sizes and types of construction materials to be used and their respective locations
• Notes indicating the interior finishes of all walls, ceilings and floors, room sizes and uses, all existing and proposed fire separations and other required rated assemblies
• Drawings for alterations and renovations that differentiate between the existing building and new work being proposed

Additional requirements

• Commonly Used Applicable Laws & Building Permits (PDF)
• Building Permit Applicant Authorization Form (PDF)
• Schedule 1 Designer Information Form (PDF)
• Land and Building Use Declaration Form (PDF)
• Owner’s Letter of Undertaking Respecting General Review Form (PDF)
• General Review Commitment Form (PDF)
• Non-housing Plumbing Data Sheet (PDF)
• Statement of Design Form and/or the Ontario Association of Architects Building Code Data Matrix (PDF)
• OBC SB-10 2017 Checklists - ASHRAE 189.1-2014.pdf
• OBC SB-10 2017 Checklists - ASHRAE 90.1-2013.pdf
• OBC SB-10 2017 Checklists - Part 9.pdf
• Site plan letter of undertaking or site plan agreement (if applicable)
• York Region Health approval (if applicable)
• Ministry of Health and Long-term Care approval (if applicable)
• Alternative solution proposal (if applicable, a separate application is required)
• Tarion warranty program registration number (residential condominium buildings)
• Any other documents that are important for the project