Building Services

• Application to Construct or Demolish – this form is the standard form for all construction projects within the municipality.

• Letter of Authorization – this form provides authorizes the agent to submit on behalf of the owner.

• Commitment to General Review by Architect and Engineers

• Schedule 1 – this is a form that is to be filled out by the designer of a project or a person who is providing design activities to a person.

• Schedule 2 – this form is required to be filled out and submitted for any septic system and is required to be filled out by a qualified person under the Ontario Building Code.

• Design Calculations For Class 2, 4, & 5 ON-SITE Sewage Systems 

• Blank Site Plan- feel free to use this to draw and include a site plan with your application.

• EEDS Prescriptive – this form is the minimum standard for energy efficiency under the Ontario Building Code and is to be used for new houses, additions, and renovations when the prescriptive path approach under SB12 is being used.

• EEDS Performance – this form is the minimum standard for energy efficiency under the Ontario Building Code and is to be used for new houses, additions, and renovations when one of the three performance approaches is being used under SB12. (Energy Star, EnerGuide, or SB12 performance).

• SB10 Form A and SB10 Form B– these forms are required for energy efficiency requirements under SB10 of the Ontario Building Code for nonresidential projects.

• Ontario Building Code Matrix – this form is to be used for all ICI (Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional) construction and is to be completed by a qualified person under the Ontario Building Code.  

• Sign Permit

Additional Links:

• Ontario Building Code 

• A Homeowners Guide to Renovation Contracts CHBA-2018

• Ontario One Call, Call Before you Dig

• Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)

Modernization and change is an important piece for a business to succeed, and the time we have spent working through this current pandemic, has only amplified the need for adapting. Over the last year or so, Building Services along with other Thames Centre departments, have been working on changing some elements to help assist the residents, contractors, and the public, and better connect with the building services staff.

Starting in August 2021, Building Services will be switching from our current permit tracking and inspection tracking software to a new web-based program Public Sector Digest (PSD) – CityWide. All residents, contractors, and builders will be able to submit all their drawings, forms, and information that is required for a building permit application through our website to the CityWide program. There is no need to log in to check for information or permit issuance. Once we have reviewed the application we will contact you, usually via email. Our office will be able to review plans digitally and send all information back to the applicant via email. CityWide will also assist staff in their day-to-day operations with how we conduct our inspections, as we will be able to use digital plans and digital documentation onsite. Inspection reports will still be emailed to the applicant once completed.

We do understand that not everyone will be able to submit digital files and we will be still accepting hard copy submissions to our office. For more information please visit our website or contact our office.

The purpose of the Ontario Building Code is to protect the health and safety of the public and the occupants of a building. Each and every submission for a building permit is required to be reviewed by the Building Services division to ensure compliance prior to construction starting and to permit the work under the Ontario Building Code Act and its regulations.

Review of all submissions are completed in a timely manner, however, each submission does require a different review process. This involves a review of all applicable laws, including Zoning by-laws, Conservation Authority regulations, other Municipal by-laws, Source Water Protection requirements, and other various acts and regulations within the province of Ontario. The type of project can result in different timelines however the Ontario Building Code does regulate maximum timeframes for complete submissions and complete applications. See the Thames Centre Permit Timelines

Once approval is granted, a permit will be issued for the appropriate work. It then becomes the permit holder and the owner's responsibility to ensure that work continues as per the approved submission and that all inspections are conducted as listed and required on the permit.

Development Charges:

• The purpose of development charges is to assist in providing the infrastructure required by future development in the municipality through the establishment of a viable capital funding source to meet the Municipality's financial requirements.

• Development charges go towards growth-related costs such as roads, water, wastewater infrastructure, etc.

• Development Charges By-law

• Development Charges Pamphlet 2023 - view current DC rates here.

Building Fees:

The Building Code Act requires that permit fees not exceed the anticipated reasonable cost to administer and enforce the Building Code during construction. This ensures the building division operates efficiently and on a cost-recovery basis that does not rely on property taxes for its operation. All costs and expenses, including staff, for plans review and inspections, are obtained through the building permit fees and administration fees charged for services provided.

• 2023 Building and By-law Fees

• Code of Conduct for Chief Building Official and Inspectors

• Building Services 2021 Annual Report

Inspections are a mandatory item that is required to ensure that the Ontario Building Code, and other applicable laws, include municipal bylaws, are followed, and construction/work is done safely and correctly. In order to ensure the permit is finalized and completed, all required inspections need to be done.

Prescribed inspections are listed on your building permit under the ‘Stages of Construction Requiring Notice’. These inspections are required to be conducted by the Municipality of Thames Centre Building Department and notice is required to be given to the Building Department prior to each inspection as prescribed by Div.C.1.3.5.1.(2) of the Ontario Building Code.

Scheduling inspections:

• When scheduling an inspection please contact the Municipal office by email astorrey@thamescentre.on.ca or call 519.268.7334. ext. 249

• Min 24 to 48 hours notice is required

• Information Required for Bookings:

  ​​​​​Permit Number, Address, Stage of Construction, Contact Name, Contact Phone Number and Date of Inspection.

Permits are required to not only protect yourself and other normal users of the space but to protect the public that may enter a space or protect future owners and users of the space or building. If a person does work or makes changes to any space, or building without a permit that person, company, or owner may become liable for any future problems or issues that may arise. The process of obtaining a permit is to protect the health and safety of the public for the duration of the building’s life. ​​​​​​

Building permits are required for the construction or alteration of any building occupying an area greater than ten square metres (108 sq.ft.) consisting of a walk, roof, and floor or any of them or a structural system serving the function thereof including all plumbing works, fixtures and service systems appurtenance thereto. This includes any structure or building to be renovated. See projects that require a permit and projects that do not require a permit (tabs below) for further information.

The list is not limited to what is shown below:

• Detached garage or accessory structure 108 square feet or greater and/or more than 1 storey (measured to the outside face of exterior walls).

• Plumbing fixtures added or relocated

• Attached garage, carport, shed, or other roof structure of any size

• Storage sheds greater than 161 square feet 

• Decks greater than 24 inches above grade

• Finishing the basement of a house or adding a bedroom to the basement

• Additions to a building

• Enclosures for swimming pools with a depth of 24 inches or greater (including temporary or inflatable)

• Creating a duplex/additional dwelling/apartment (a.k.a. in-law suite, accessory apartment, granny flat)​​​​​​

• Removing a load-bearing wall, column, lintel, or beam

• Re-insulating walls, ceilings, or floors

• Woodstove or wood-burning fireplace

• Installing a new window or door when increasing the width of the existing opening

• Retaining wall that is greater than three feet and three inches in height, pending location

• Solar Panels that are mounted to a building

• Site servicing (water or sewer lines) for all building types

• New residential dwellings

• Demolition of a structure greater than 108 square feet in building area, except for farm buildings

• Tent or group of tents that is, more than 60 square metres (646 square feet) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building, or constructed within three metres (nine feet and 10 inches) of any structure

• Industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential construction or alterations or changes of use

• Backflow prevention device for lawn irrigation systems connected to potable water

• Farm buildings including barns, bins, bunker silos, silos, sheds, etc.

• Contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for electrical permit information.​​​​​​

• Structure less than 108 square feet measured from the outside face of walls (that does not contain plumbing)

• Gas fireplace

• Fence (must comply with zoning regulations)

• Water softener installations

• Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work

• Door and window replacements (within the existing opening, where no structural members are changed, or has no fire-resistance rating)

• Installing new shingles on an existing roof

• Replacing a plumbing fixture (i.e. toilet, bathtub, or sink) with a new fixture in the same location​​​​​​

Building permits are required for swimming pools that are capable of holding equal to or greater than 23” of water. Pools also must have a fence or barrier that meets the Thames Centre Fence Bylaw.

Pools that are proposed in residential areas also need to provide a Grading plan for the property to ensure that the grading of the yard does not adversely affect the neighbors' yard.

Documentation Needed:

• Building Permit Application

• Revised lot grading plan stamped by an Ontario Land Surveyor or Engineer (if in a residential area)

• Site plan showing pool location in the yard with setbacks to property lines and septic system

• Pool equipment to be shown on the site plan with setbacks to property lines

• Fence or barrier as described in the fence by-law. ​​​​​

• Building By-law

• Fence By-law / Pool Fence By-law

• Property Standards By-law

• Zoning By-law
• Signage By-law