Building Permits
Construction or demolition projects may require building permit applications, sign permit applications and permit fees.
With respect to building permits, the Building Standards department offers:
- Application tracking and expediting
- Arrangement of property file information requests - for further information, please visit the Property Information Request page below
- Application for a sign variance
- Processing of permit securities and building statistics
Before making a building permit application, make sure the proposal complies with the City of Vaughan Zoning By-laws.
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When building permits are not required
In general, the following projects do not require a building permit:
- Constructing a detached accessory building less than 10 square metres (about 107 square feet) on the property that does not contain plumbing
- A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Act and is exempt from compliance with this code, provided that the shed,
- is not more than 15 square metres in gross area
- is not more than one storey in building height
- is not attached to a building or any other structure
- is used only for storage purposes ancillary to principal building on the lot, and
- does not have plumbing
- Building an uncovered deck maximum 18.6 square metres (about 200 square feet), not exceeding 0.6 metres (about 23.6 inches) above grade and not attached to an existing structure. Although a building permit may not be required for the uncovered deck, the deck is still required to meet the City of Vaughan Zoning By-law
- Damp-proofing basements
- Replacing existing plumbing fixtures
- Replacing an existing furnace or adding air-conditioning units
- Conducting electrical projects (inspected through the Electrical Safety Authority)
- Replacing kitchen or bathroom cupboards and counter tops
- Painting and decorating
- Replacing existing windows and doors
- Replacing roofing or shingles
- Building retaining walls less than one metre (about 39.3 inches) in height
- Constructing sidewalks, planters or interlocking patio stones
For clarification, contact the Building Standards department at 905-832-8510 or read the frequently asked questions.