When is a permit required?
Many interior renovations require a permit including but not limited to:
- New finishes to a previously unfinished space such as finishing a basement
- Structural changes including adding or removing load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls
- Installing new or enlarging existing windows and doors
- Renovating a kitchen or bathroom that includes structural or plumbing changes
- Adding or altering a chimney or woodstove
- Adding new bedrooms or converting existing rooms to bedrooms
- Changing the use of the building (e.g. establishing a home occupation, lodging house, bed and breakfast or changing any part of a building from one use to another). Contact Zoning Services to confirm permitted uses at [email protected] or 519-837-5615 extension 4271.
To construct an additional dwelling unit (ADU), please visit guelph.ca/adu for more information on permit requirements.
Submission requirements
The following is a list of documents required to be submitted with your application. Please ensure all your documents, including drawings and forms, are ready in PDF format before starting your online application.
Note: All drawings are drawn to a recognizable scale (e.g.: ¼” = 1’-0”) and all walls to be indicated with a double line to show wall thickness. Partial floor plans or photos will not be accepted.
- Overall floor plan for each storey of the house where work is being carried out – existing and proposed. These drawings shall include:
- Room names and sizes (e.g. washroom, bedroom).
- Ceiling heights for each room, including under bulkheads.
- Window sizes (width and height), including any window wells.
- Type of wall and ceiling finishes in all rooms (e.g. ½ inch drywall).
- Location of stairs.
- Door sizes (width and height).
- Location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Location of all plumbing fixtures including kitchen/bathroom/laundry layouts.
- Location of heating and ventilation outlets.
- Schedule 1 form – This will be filled out by your BCIN designer or alternatively you can take responsibility for the drawings being the owner of the property without meeting the qualification requirements. If you are taking responsibility as the owner of the property, complete sections A, B, C (description of work) and D with your basis for exemption from qualification and registration requirements being that you are the “owner”.
If your project includes the following changes, additional information is required:
Removing a load-bearing wall:
- Indicate the joist span and direction on either side of where the load-bearing wall will be removed.
- Indicate the size and span of the proposed beam.
- Basement drawing showing that adequate support has been provided to the foundation or pad footing.
Adding or enlarging windows or exterior doors:
- Site plan indicating the location of the house, location of the proposed window and/or door, and the distances to property lines.
- Side elevations showing all new and existing openings (width and height)
- Floor plan showing the size of the supporting structure (header/lintel)
Exterior stairs:
- Location of stairs/landing – Include distances to property line(s) on the survey or site plan and floor plan.
- Exterior stair design showing:
- Landings at top and bottom of stair
- The type and thickness of concrete walls.
- Foundation walls with proper footings resting on undisturbed soil (e.g. at the same depth as the house footings).
Note: One pour foundation/footing designs are not permitted.
Additional information
Please visit the residential permits and inspections webpage for additional information on planning your project, how to submit your permit application, permit fees and mandatory inspections.