Building and Renovating

​The Town of Newmarket's Building Division will assist you with your building projects such as new construction, additions and demolitions. Many projects require building permits which can be applied for at the Municipal Offices or online through our online Development Portal. The Building Division, under the Development and Infrastructure Commission, is responsible for the enforcement of The Building Code Act and The Building Code Regulations. ​​

Building Permits 

Most renovation, alteration, construction and demolition projects require a Building Permit prior to work commencing work. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is the legislative framework that governs construction, renovation and change-of-use in all of Ontario. The OBC establishes detailed technical requirements and minimum standards for building within the province. For more information, visit or contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Building Permits for the following applications are now accepted through our online Development Portal
Submit and Track Building Permits 

Building Permit Information

Helpful Guides
Review our helpful guides that provide step by step assistance with applications for the following:

When is a Building Permit Required?
Construction or demolition of:
  • New home or addition to an existing home; 
  • Deck greater than 10 square meters, attached to the home or is 600mm above grade; 
  • Enclosed or unenclosed porch; 
  • walls - adding or removing;
  • Below grade entrance or basement walkout; 
  • Finishing a basement; 
  • Heated or unheated sunroom; 
  • Detached structure greater than 10 square meters (108 square feet) 
  • New or enlarged windows/doors
  • Raised porches or decks; 
  • Carports or garages; 
  • Solar Panels;
  • Any structural alterations; 
  • Any mechanical alterations (HVAC/Plumbing); 
  • Moving or lifting a home; 
  • Installing a wood stove or fireplace; 
  • Creating an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ie. Second suite/In-law Suite); 
  • Fire damage repairs; 
  • Retaining walls greater than 1 meter in height; creating new openings for, or increasing the size of, doors and windows; 
  • Pools and hot tubs, fences and signs may require a permit through the Legislative Services Department 
If your proposed project is not listed above, we encourage you contact building.permits@newmarket.ca for more information to ensure your proposal does not require a permit.
When is a Building Permit Typically NOT Required?
A Building Permit is usually NOT required when:
  • Construction or demolition of a standalone building under 10 square meters, with no plumbing;
  • construction or demolition of decks not attached to a house and under 10 square metres;
  • replacing doors and/or windows that are the same size of existing;
  • Building detached (structurally independent​) structures 10 square meters (108 square feet) or less in area;
  • Floor and ceiling finishes;
  • Repairs to chimneys, porches, decks or roofs;
  • Waterproofing repairs to basement (no plumbing involved);
  • Replacement of furnace (no building alterations); 
  • painting or decorating
If your proposed project is not listed above, we encourage you contact building.permits@newmarket.ca for more information to ensure your proposal does not require a permit.
What is a Zoning Preliminary Review (ZPR)?
A Zoning Preliminary Review is a detailed review of a proposal intended for a future building permit application to ensure compliance with the Zoning By-laws and other applicable law. A ZPR is seperate to a building permit application and does not permit you to begin construction. Applications are now being accepted via our Development Portal. 

Required Information

The following is required to be submitted (at minimum) with your application for Zoning Preliminary Review:

  1. Zoning Preliminary Review Information Sheet(s). 
  2. Site Plan 
  3. Floor Plans 
  4. Minimum of two (2) Elevations (front and side)
For information on the minimum submission requirements for the above drawings, please review the "Drawings" tab under "Application Forms and Required Documents" below.

Fees 

The fee for a ZPR is seperate to a building permit application, however is deducated from the building permit fee when submitted. Calculated in accordance with a permitted use letter under the current Building Permit Fees Schedule. For substantial revisions to an application, additional fees may be incurred. 


Review Timeline

Our goal is to complete an initual review and provide a written response within five (5) business days. 

Steps to Apply for a Building Permit and Submission Standards

To prepare a building permit application, follow the steps laid out below: 

  1. Determine what applicable law applies to the subject property. We recommend reviewing your properties zoning requirements which can be found on the Town's Navigating Newmarket Portal through the "What is my zoning?" page, determining if your property is located within the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) or if the structure is located on the Heritage Registry.
  2. Prepare working drawings that are accurate, to scale and describe the construction you are proposing. For more information on what drawings are required and what is required on these drawings, please visit our “Application Forms and Required Documents" drop down on this page for further information.
  3. Complete all applicable application forms. Ensure to include the Applicant and Owner contact information where applicable.
  4. Applications are now being accepted via our Development Portal. Please upload all documents within the Portal. All construction drawings are to be in unlocked PDF format, in black and white only with the date of submission within the titleblock. Links to external fileshare sites or .zip files and .jpegs will not be accepted.
  5. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated confirmation email. A Building Services Technician will contact you in regards to fees owing and how to make payment. Building Permit fees are calculated as per the current Building Permit Fees Schedule.
  6. Ensure to keep an eye on your emails as you may receive an email requesting more information from the Building Services Technician or the Plans Examiners in regards to your Application.
Application Forms and Required Documents

Before applying for a building permit, ensure that your intended project conforms to the applicable zoning by-law. Locate the zoning for any property in Newmarket on our "What is My Zoning?" page. Note that a Zoning Preliminary Review is required prior to building permit application submission for the following applications: 

To obtain a Building Permit for any renovations and/or repairs, the following documents are required:

Forms for Building Permit Application(s)
Drawings Required
In addition to the above forms, the drawings you need to provide with a building permit application vary depending on the scope of work. Below is a list of typical drawings and what information they should include.  All drawings to be submitted must be in PDF format. To confirm what drawings you will need, please contact a Building Services Technician at building.permits@newmarket.ca or 905-953-5300 ex. 2400.

All drawings are required to be submitted in unlocked PDF format, and in black and white with the date of submission within the titleblock. No colour drawings will be accepted.

Site Plan -  Drawing showing the complete property and identifying all structures in relation to property boundaries. It should include:

  • Scale
  • North arrow
  • Lot lines and dimensions (in metric)
  • Existing and proposed construction and dimensions (in metric)
  • Etc. 

Floor Plans - Scaled drawing of the arrangement of rooms in one story of a building. It should include:

  • Scale
  • Use of rooms and spaces
  • Dimensions (in metric)
  • Extent of existing demolished and new construction
  • Size, type and location of exterior and interior walls and partitions
  • Widths, locations and lintel size of all new openings
  • Location, dimensions and direction of stairs
  • Sectional arrows
  • References to detailed drawings
  • Material specifications or notes
  • Heating details and calculations
  • Etc. 

Elevations - Drawings showing the exterior view of each side of the house. Each elevation is identified by the direction it is facing and should include:

  • Scale
  • Extent of existing demolished and new construction 
  • Vertical dimensions of walls, windows and doors
  • Grade level 
  • Overall height from grade to mid-point between eaves and top of roof and grade to peak, and from grade to top of roof
  • Exterior wall cladding, finishes and flashing
  • Overhang dimensions
  • Roof shape, slope and finish
  • Rainwater leader and eaves trough
  • Etc. 

Sections -  represents a view of the house along an imaginary line at a particular location and illustrates construction details. The extent of the sections should correspond with the sectional arrows shown on the plans. Sections should include:

  • Scale
  • Details of footings, foundations, walls floors and the roof
  • Distance from grade to floor and underside of footing
  • Attic and crawl space ventilation
  • Etc. 
Mechanical Drawings - Required when proposing changes/additions to the mechanical system. Elements may be identified on floor plans, showing the layout of the mechanical components. Further requirements may include heat loss and heat gain calculation to determine the capacity of the furnace required and drawings of the duct design and layout (by a qualified designer). This information is generally available from a mechanical/heating contractor.

Building Permit Application Fees

Once your application for Building Permit has been submitted, a Building Services Technician will reach out to you with the applicable fees owing and instructions on how to pay. Building Permit fees are calculated as per the current Building Permit Fees Schedule. Kindly note that some applications (including Zoning Preliminary Reviews) may prompt a fee payment prior to accepting the application.

Can I Submit My Own Drawings?

For a residential structure, a homeowner may design and take responsibility for their own drawings as per Division C of the Ontario Building Code. If you are unfamiliar with various government regulations, by-laws and Ontario Building Code requirements, you may wish to hire a qualified designer instead. A Qualified Designer can be either an Architect, Engineer or Person with a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN). 

We recommend hiring a Qualified Designer to assist with drawing production and permit process and significant delays can arise if the drawings and specification are not complete, and do not comply with the Ontario Building Code or other Applicable Law. Most designs for Building Permits, not completed by the owner, will require a designer registered and/or qualified under Division C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code (an Architect or Engineer is exempt from this requirement).

A Designer is anyone who takes responsibility for the design, which may also include preparing the drawings for submission. You may wish to check with a Building Services Technician to find out whether your project requires a qualified designer.

When Will I R​eceive my Permit?
Permits are usually issued between 10 to 20 business days if the application along with accompanying drawings are complete and the proposed construction meets all legal requirements such as zoning regulations, Ontario Building Code and the other requirements of other agencies such as the Conservation Authority, the Region of York and the Town's Public Works department.
I Received my Permit - What Now?
  • Print and post the Permit Card in a conspicuous place on your property, and review reviewed permit plans prior to starting construction.
  • Print out all construction drawings and ensure to always have a copy of the reviewed permit plans on site.
  • Review your list of required inspections located on the reviewed permit plans. Ensure to contact inspections@newmarket.ca two (2) days prior to your inspection time. Inspections are booked Monday to Friday from 8:30am- 4:30pm.
  • Construction can begin any time after the Permit Package has been received.
  • Contact Local utilities such as hydro, gas and telephone prior to starting any excavation to determine the location of nearby underground services. These services operate independently from the Town of Newmarket and should be contacted regarding their specific approval and inspection requirements.
What Inspections Do I require? How do I book an appointment?
The type of inspections required depends on the type of work being completed, can be found on your reviewed permit plans under “Mandatory Inspections”. To book an inspection, please contact inspections@newmarket.ca. Two (2) days notice is required to book an inspection.

Department Information 

Director of Planning & Building Services

Jason Unger | planning@newmarket.ca 

Chief Building Official 

Andrew Jurrius, Chief Building Official, Building Services | buildings@newmarket.ca