Building, Renovating, and Permits

Ontario Building Code: Key Changes Effective January 1, 2025

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) announced a new 2024 Ontario Building Code (OBC) which will be effective starting January 1^st, 2025. Along with the efforts of harmonization among Provincial Codes and the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), one of the desired goals is to reduce red tape and construction barriers. The 2024 OBC changes included the following factors;

1. Housing supply and innovation
2. Health and safety
3. Cost
4. Reduce red tape
5. Better buildings

Transition Timelines

The 2024 Building Code comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month grace period until March 31, 2025, for certain designs that are already underway.

Please take careful note of the following transition period dates:

Up to December 31, 2024

• Permit applications must be submitted using the 2012 Building Code.

January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025

• Permit applications may be submitted using the new 2024 Building Code.
• Permit applications may be submitted using the 2012 Building Code if the applicant demonstrates that their working drawings were substantially complete by December 31, 2024.

April 1, 2025

• Permit applications must be submitted using the 2024 Building Code.

Planning Ahead
The Municipality of South Glengarry encourages all developers, contractors, and homeowners to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes to ensure a smooth transition. Learn more here.

For more information about the changes to the Ontario Building Code, please  contact the Municipality’s Building Department by phone at 613-347-1166 ext. 2205 or email 

A Building Permit regulates construction in the community so that health, fire, structural and general safety standards are met and adhered to. 

Under the direction of the Chief Building Official, the Township's Building Department authorizes the issuance of Building Permits in compliance with the Ontario Building Code, as well as the Township's current Building By-law

It is illegal to begin work without a building permit. Anyone who does so is in contravention of the Township's Building By-law and the Ontario Building Code, and subject to financial and legal consequences. 

2025 Revised Building By-law Fee Schedule

Before You Start

Prior to the start of any construction or renovation project, individuals (or those acting on behalf of or representing an individual) should meet with Building Department staff in order to ensure all proper documentation and procedures are in place prior to the construction or renovation.

Contact a Building Official for more information or to book an appointment.

Applications

The Township now offers two ways to apply for a Building Permit. Residents can take advantage of Cloudpermit, an online system which is the most efficient way to apply for and track your building permit. A fillable PDF Building Permit Application can be downloaded and either delivered to the Township Office or emailed directly to the Building Information Officer BUTCloudpermit is the fastest and easiest way to submit your application.

Select and complete the appropriate document(s) and form(s) for your construction or renovation project. Completed documents can be submitted at the Township Office with the appropriate fee(s)

The Building Department makes every effort to ensure an efficient turnaround time for permit approval. It is important to submit a complete application in order for the review and approval process to be completed as quickly as possible. Incomplete or incorrect applications may result in delays.