Building FAQs

Please be advised that it is against the law to commence construction without a permit and you could be subjected to legal action under the Ontario Building Code Act. If the construction does not comply with the Ontario Building Code requirements, you may be subject to costly repairs to gain compliance, additional administrative fees, and legal action. If you are unsure whether your project requires a building permit, contact the building department at building@erin.ca.

All fees are within the Building Permit Fee Schedule. The building fees are calculated differently depending on the type of project. The minimum fee for a building permit is $200.00.

After we receive the building permit application, you will receive a checklist and an invoice. Once the checklist and the building permit fee has been paid, the permit moves onto the review stage. This process can take between 10 to 30 business days for a complete application. If anything is missing, it will take longer.

10 business days: Residential, Additions, Accessory Buildings, Tents, Signs

15 business days: Commercial/Industrial Buildings and Farm builds up to 600 square metres

20 business days: Commercial/Industrial Buildings and farm builds more than 600 square metres, schools, portables, retirement homes

30 business days: post disaster buildings

At the end of this time, you will either receive a list of deficiencies that have to be met or the permit will be emailed to you within 4 business days.

This timeline above is for a COMPLETE application.

The Town has shifting to Cloudpermit. Applicants will be able to request an inspection using Cloudpermit.

If your permit has not been added to Cloudpermit, please book an inspection by calling 519-855-4407 extension 240 or by sending an email to building@erin.ca

Please have the following information ready:

• Project Address
• Permit Number
• Type of Inspection Requested
• Contact Information (name and phone number)

We do not notify your neighbours about your building permit. Once your building permit has been issued, you will be required to display the permit from the street, roadway, or waterway, in a visible way.

We will happily receive your application and process the documents that we receive. We will then send you a checklist to help guide you towards the remaining requirements. Note that the application will not be deemed complete until all requirements are submitted.

Construction must begin within 6 months of permit issuance. Your building permit may be revoked if construction has been suspended or discontinued for more than one year.

You have 6 months from the date of issuance to start construction. Once construction starts, you have 1 year so long as construction is progressing.

The Building Department has created information guides to follow with all types of construction. Under each project type, you will have access to the applicable guides, by-laws and forums.

You are always welcome to make changes. You will however be required to submit another application explaining your changes and indicate if it will change the cost of the project. There will be an administrative fee for each revision of $75.00 once the permit is issued. If the permit is still in the application process, then these changes will be free.

If certain inspections are missed and work was done, you may be asked to consult with a professional engineer to provide the Town with a report on the status of the construction. If the work is covered, you may be ordered to uncover it.

As of right now, the Town of Erin does not provide this service.

Once all work has been completed as per the reviewed permit documents and in accordance with the Building Code, a final inspection will be completed by our inspector. Once the inspection is passed, you will receive the report and your permit will be closed.