Permits Blog

Home renovations, home improvements, or home remodeling are processes of improving the design and functionality of a home. It normally involves various projects which help to upgrade the existing condition of a property. Home renovations may involve the interior, exterior, or other sections of the house. Renovating a home is important as it helps to restore its appeal and functionality. If you live in Ontario, Canada, you definitely understand how important the remodeling process is and how you need a permit before you can begin the renovations. But do you know what renovations require a permit? Well, let’s find out. What Home Renovations Require a Permit in Ontario, Canada? A building permit usually includes all aspects that relate to construction, renovation, demolition, and home addition. As per the Ontario Building Code, the validity of building permits is usually within the period of construction. But in case you have finished or started the construction process, then the validity of the permit can go up to 6 months. It should be noted that you can always seek to extend your permit, in case you are not able to complete everything within the stipulated timeframe. Home Renovations that Require a Permit in Ontario You need to apply for a permit if you need to: Change or alter a property structure Construct a detached or attached garage Construct a fireplace or chimney Underpin, repair, or excavate a property foundation Create a home addition to an existing building Construct other accessory buildings that have areas covering more than 10 meters squared. Close or change the size of windows and entrances Add new windows and entrances Home repair or renovation work involving electrical wiring, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and ventilation. Relocate or remove parts of a building Finish sections of buildings that had been previously left unfinished Construct additional rooms within a building Build a deck that’s attached to a property Construct a new detached deck that is above 60.96 cm from the ground Construct a new swimming pool enclosure Not all types of home renovations need a permit. Some of the home improvements that don’t need the application of a permit in Ontario include: Installation of shelves and cabinets Construction of fences Altering an opening Replacing windows and doors Using the same material to replace shingles, siding, or stucco Painting, patching and decorating How to Apply for the Permit If you live in Ottawa and you’re keen on doing home improvements, then you need to first get a permit. You need to personally submit your application to the customer service counter found at your local district office. This should be within the area where your home is located. Once you have paid the application fee, the building staff will do a comprehensive overview of your home improvement plan. This is a vital procedure that’s put in place by the district to ensure that your plans comply with local zoning by-laws of the Ontario Building Code. In addition to that, the plans have to comply with other stipulated regulations put in place. The best thing about the application is that you can conveniently monitor its status online. Generally, the application process is usually fast, especially for small projects such as home renovations. This is important in ensuring that you start and finish the projects as soon as possible. It takes a few days to review smaller projects while complex projects take longer because they need a comprehensive overview. The municipality offers permits to specific projects and in case you want to carry out other renovations, then you must apply for another permit. Why Are Home Improvements Important? Our needs change with time and this may be in terms of size and design. Besides that, the esthetic appeal of buildings normally declines with time. So, some of the benefits of doing home renovations include: Enhanced Comfortability A home needs to be comfortable for you to enjoy living with it. Because our needs change with time, we need to do home renovations to ensure that we can still enjoy our homes. Better Security As stated above, the aesthetic appeal of a property usually declines as time goes by. After years of use, you will find that a home has started developing cracks on the walls, contains tainted shelves and cabinets, has leaking roofs, and worn-out floors among others. This can pose a serious security threat if you are not careful. However, an effective home renovation project can help to fix such issues and minimize the risk of injuries or theft. Improved Efficiency As technology advances, you find that also equipment previously installed in our homes end up becoming updated. For instance, you will find that there are new lighting systems, window designs, flooring material, and others. To ensure that your home is efficient, you can have a renovation project. This helps to ensure that everything runs efficiently as per your preferences. Understand that some of these renovations can be cost-friendly in the long run. For instance, the installation of new heat pumps can help to significantly reduce your energy costs. Enhanced Home Function As time goes by, you might find that your family is growing or reducing in number. If you start to have kids, you might be forced to create an extra room or story. Alternatively, you might be forced to demolish some room units in case they are not in use or you need a larger space. This is important for functionality to ensure that your home meets your changing needs. Increased Home Value Home renovations can significantly increase the value of your home. If your home has an outdated design, then it will less appealing. However, improving its original design in order to meet the latest market trends in the real estate sector can easily attract a good buyer. It’s worth noting that additions such as basements, garages, and the number of bathrooms can also increase the value of your home. Changing the style of the cabinets, installing new doors and windows are all