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Building Permits

Building inspections can be requested on Cloudpermit or by leaving a message on the inspection line at 705-484-5374 ext. 298.

A building permit protects individuals and the Township by meeting the minimum standards for health, fire, structural and general safety as outlined in the Ontario Building Code. It is illegal to conduct work without a permit.

Before starting any kind of construction on your property, it is best to discuss your plans with the Township's Planning Services to ensure that you avoid any unnecessary fees and comply with the Zoning Bylaw. Pools and fences do not require permits. Pools must meet zoning requirements and fences must adhere to the Fence Bylaw.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development enforces the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) as well as other specialized regulations, including the Construction Projects Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91).  For more information on how to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace visit the following links:

Any activity involving digging in Ontario, whether planting a tree or building a fence, requires contacting Ontario One Call.

Apply for a Building Permit Online!

The Township of Ramara is pleased to offer residents, builders, and the business community Cloudpermit, an online system to apply and track building permits, make payments, request inspections, and receive email updates on the building permit process. 

Get up-to-date information on the status of your application anywhere, at any time. If you are familiar with the Cloudpermit application process, click on the Apply for a Building Permit button. For more information, read on.

Please note that if you pay for your building permit online, there will be a 3% convenience fee applied for credit card (Visa, AMEX and Mastercard) payments.

Important Building Permit Information

Building permits are required during any of the following circumstances:

  • Construction of a new building or structure greater then 10 square metres, excluding unattached storage sheds that are 15 square metres or less and less than one storey with no plumbing.
  • Addition(s) to existing buildings.
  • Repair, renovate, add to, alter or demolish of an existing building.
  • Prefabricated buildings.
  • Relocation of existing buildings.
  • Installation a new septic system, plumbing, drains, sewers, etc.
  • Building a deck, shed, boathouse, retaining wall, etc.
  • Installation of solar panels on a building.
  • Signs.
  • Demountable stage or demountable support structure.
  • Shorewalls/retaining walls.
  • A tent or group of tents that are over 60 square metres (approximately 645 square feet) in aggregate ground area or attached to a building, and constructed closer than three metres (approximately 10 feet) from other structures.

If you are unsure whether your projects requires a permit, please contact the Building Sevices and we will help you with all of your questions and inquiries. If you build without a building permit, you are subject to administrative fees as per the Township's Building Bylaw.

Temporary tent type sheds/car shelters less than 60 square metres do not require a permit under the Ontario Building Code; however, the tents are considered a structure and are required to meet the provisions of the Zoning Bylaw. These include:

  • Meeting the setbacks and lot coverage maximums of the particular zone
  • Must be placed a minimum of 1.8 metres from the principal dwelling
  • Cannot be located closer to the street line than the principal dwelling

*Does not include framed structures with solid roofing or cladding.*

For more information about placement, please contact Planning Services.

Prior to submitting your building permit, you may require approvals from other agencies. Download and complete the applicable law checklist form and submit all other approvals with your application. Having all these approvals in place prior to applying will ensure the efficient review and issuance of the building permit. 

More information on applicable law can be found in Section 1.4.1.3. Div. A of the Ontario Building Code.

When uploading documents into Cloudpermit, ensure they are in a PDF format. Please follow the document scanning instructions on how to scan documents to PDF by phone.

If you encounter difficulties with your application in Cloudpermit, send the building department staff a public message in your workspace asking for assistance. The messaging feature can be found at the top-right corner of your workspace.

Ramara uses three different areas for climatic and seismic data from the Ontario Building Code Volume 2 SB-1, Table 2.

See a map of the zone areas.

The construction of your approved project should start within the first six months from the date the permit was issued. If construction is to be delayed, please contact the Building Division as soon as possible.

Fees for building permits may vary depending on the type of work required. Review the Building Permit Fees for details on specific fees. For more information or questions, please contact the Building Division.

Please note that if you pay for your building permit online, there will be a 3% convenience fee applied for credit card (Visa, AMEX and Mastercard) payments.

When developing a vacant property or expanding an industrial, commercial or institutional use, Simcoe County, Education and Ramara development charges apply in accordance with the Development Charges Bylaw. For more information, visit the Development Charges webpage.

Building inspections require a minimum of 48 hours notice. To book an inspection, please use your Cloudpermit account.

If your application is pre-Cloudpermit, please call 705-484-5374 ext. 298.

When calling for an inspection, provide the following information:

  • Civic Address
  • Type of Inspection
  • Date of Inspection
  • Contact Details

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