Drawing Requirements For Building Permit in Ontario

Have you ever considered how a building’s drawings function? A building drawing and plan are like a map showing how the finished building will look. They help you figure out the cost upfront so you can make a budget before starting construction. Before you begin a project, you have to ask for permission to build, called a building permit. You can get this from the building department. In this blog post, we’ll show you the drawing requirements for a building permit.

You need to include your building plans with your permit application to get approval. Effective building plans provide construction teams with the necessary information to prevent errors. The primary blueprint is typically a site plan, with floor, landscape, and elevation plans added as needed.

A building plan is like a map showing a project’s appearance from above. It could be for a deck, a building, or just a room. Some projects, like decks and extra buildings, also need a 3D view to show the foundation and roof. The plan is always drawn to scale so officials can see how everything fits together. 

Outdoor projects like decks need to show the whole property layout, including property lines, existing structures, and terrain features. Indoor drawings should detail architectural, structural, electrical, and/or mechanical changes, sometimes on separate diagrams for clarity.

It is important to match drawing requirements for building permits to ensure code and zoning compliance, safety, accuracy, effective communication, and legal adherence. Also, you can provide detailed visual representations of construction projects, guiding the approval process and minimizing errors.

You have land and want to build your dream home, but first, you need a building permit from your local government. You will need to make detailed building plans and drawings to get that permit. If drawing up plans seems complicated, don’t stress. It’s not as tough as it sounds. Once your site is ready to match the drawing requirements for the building permit, you are closer to building your dream home!

Let us start with the basics. A site plan is like a map that shows how your property looks from above. It includes where your buildings, trees, driveways, and walkways are. To draw your site plan, first, find the property lines. Once you have done that, you can start putting everything else on the paper.

If you are unsure where to start, draw your house first. It is usually the biggest structure. Then, add decks, stairs, trees, driveways, and walkways. Your site plan should show exactly how your property looks, including all its features.

Making a floor plan is the first thing you do when designing a home. It’s important because it decides how your home looks and works. When making a floor plan, think about how big and what layout each room will be, where the doors and windows will go, where things like stairs and fireplaces will be, how people will move around the house, etc. 

Once you have the floor plan, you can start deciding on how to arrange things in each room. This means figuring out where to put furniture, appliances, and fixtures. You also need to think about each room’s lighting, Heating, cooling, and electrical stuff.

After you’ve planned each room, you can add the final details to your plans to meet the drawing requirements to get the building permit. This means picking colors, finishes, and fixtures for your home. Don’t forget about the landscaping and outdoor areas too!

Once you finish all your plans, you can send your drawings for permit approval. The building department will check them to ensure you follow all the regulations. They will issue the permit if they are okay with it, and you can start the construction. Making suitable plans helps everything to go well, and you will end up with the home you’ve been dreaming of.

When drawing building plans for a permit, make sure to include all the important systems like electricity, plumbing, and HVAC. First, figure out how much power the building needs—how many outlets, what kind, and how much wattage. Then, plan where the water pipes, sewer lines, and fixtures will go for the plumbing system. 

Finally, decide where the ducts, vents, and HVAC unit will be for the heating and cooling system. After you finish the design, you have to send the plans to the regulatory authorities for approval, such as the local building department, fire department, and utility companies. Once they approve the plans, you can start the construction.

You have finished your building drawings and are nearly ready to send them for building permit approval. But before you do, there are a couple more things to check. Here are more things to ensure your plans and drawing requirements for the building permit are all set before you send them.

Before sending your plans, add notes, construction specifications, and details. These will help the person checking your plans understand what you want to do and whether it follows the regulations and code. Also, make sure your plans show the right sizes. Use measurements that match the real sizes, and include a scale bar so it’s clear how big everything is.

Also, make sure to put a north arrow on your plans. This helps the person checking them know which way is north. If you’ve changed anything since you first sent in your plans, mark those revisions. This helps the reviewer see what’s different and why. Lastly, include a cover sheet with your plans. Put your name, contact details, and the property address where the work will happen.

Building plans and drawings are really important when getting a building permit. They help to get a lot of details about what the building will look like and how it will be built, making sure it follows safety rules and zoning laws. These plans show things like the layout, size, materials, and how it will be put together.

Matching the drawing requirements for building permits is super important because it shows what the project will look like. Plan examiners and inspectors use these plans and drawings to check if the building follows all the rules and codes. They need them to understand the project and make the right decisions.

Building plans and drawings also help contractors and workers understand what needs to be done for the project to work well. They show details like how to frame the building, where to put electrical wires and plumbing, and how to set up the heating and cooling systems. Clear and detailed plans can reduce mistakes during construction, and the final result will match what was wanted.

In building plans, consider important things like making sure people with disabilities can get around easily. This ensures the building follows accessibility code requirements, including ramps, elevators, wider doors, and bathrooms everyone can use. By thinking about these things from the start, builders can make spaces that work for everyone.

In Ontario, if you want to build something big like a new building, add to your house, or change its structure a lot, you need permission called a building permit. This permission is also needed to fix plumbing or electrical in your basement, build decks 60 centimeters above grade and more than 10 square meters, and put in pools or tall fences. 

Some small things, like sheds and short decks, don’t require a drawing for a building permit, but it’s really important to check with the people in charge in your area to make sure. Following these regulations keep everyone safe, which is good for homeowners and the community. Always ask local authorities for the correct information about permits.

Sometimes, you might need an architect to draw up building plans, especially for complicated projects or if you need special skills. The architect has the knowledge and experience to make a cost-effective design and reduces the back-and-forth with the city plan examiners, which will save time and money.

However, you could draw the plans yourself for simple projects. The Ontario Building Code allows the homeowner to submit their drawings for a specific scope of work.

The time span depends on how busy each municipality is and the size of your project. It might take a few weeks or even a few months. It’s a good idea to ask your local authority how long they think it will take.

Usually, you can make revisions to your building drawings after they are approved. If the changes are minor, the building inspector might include them in the file. However, if the revisions are major, you need to apply for a revision permit.

You can definitely draw your building drawings for the building permit. Just ensure they follow your local building authority’s zoning building code requirements. The Ontario Building Code allows the homeowner to submit their drawings for a specific scope of work.

Need expert guidance? Why not consult iDiM Architects for professional assistance?

Building permit costs in Ontario vary by municipality and project size. Minimum fees apply regardless of project size. Larger, complex projects cost more due to more inspections. New construction permits are usually pricier than renovation permits.

Drawing building plans for a permit might seem complicated, but if you plan well and pay attention to details, you can match the drawing requirements for the building permit. Just follow the steps and know the rules in your area, and you can get your plans approved.