Building Permit FAQs

Richmond Hill accepts online applications for all types of residential building permits, including: 

• Alterations and additions to existing homes
• Miscellaneous residential permits such as decks, porches, finished basements, basement walkout, garages and accessory buildings
• Demolition permits
• Custom Home (single family dwelling) Note: Each online submission is for one single family dwelling only
• Production Home Builder permits (singles, semis, townhouses)
• Temporary Tent
• Tenant Unit Finish/Alteration
• Miscellaneous Alteration (solar panel, rooftop unit, designated structure, facade/balcony repair, plumbing and others)

Please note: For revision to a permit, click on the form below and clearly identify that you are submitting a revision in the 'Description of work' box and reference the associated permit number.  For example:

Revision to Permit #2022-XXXXX (revision to add structural beam)

Residential Building Permit - Apply and Pay Online

Eligible applications are reviewed and processed electronically.  Online applications must be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) and a convenience fee of 2.6% will be added to the total fee at checkout.  When the building permit is issued, it is  the responsibility of the permit holder to print the permit card and relevant drawings/documents (in colour) and keep them on the construction site.

You may also apply for a building permit in person at Richmond Hill's main Municipal Offices located at:

225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4

You must be the owner of the building or property, or authorized in writing by the owner, to apply for a permit.

You must submit the prescribed plans, specifications and the correct application permit fee with your permit application. Fees are payable to 'The City of Richmond Hill'.

Learn more about applying for building permit.

During the planning phase of your project, you must determine what zoning requirements apply to your property. For all zoning and compliance-related information, visit Zoning and Compliance Letter Requests. Please note that we do not provide zoning information over the phone or in person at this time.

In addition to the permit fees other fees may apply to your application, such as:

• Municipal, Regional, and education levies
• Road damage deposits
• Grading deposits
• Cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication
• Development charges

Find out more about Development Charges.

These fees must be paid before your building permit can be issued.

Building permit fees are calculated according to By-law 55-19. 

Permit plans must contain enough information to allow the Chief Building Official and his staff to confirm that the planned work meets all applicable regulations.

Site plans must reference a current plan survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor. A copy of this survey must be submitted with your building permit application for major projects.

Site plans for minor additions and alterations that show the outlines and dimensions of the property, driveways and the existing and proposed buildings within the site are acceptable in some cases.

Where required by the Ontario Building Code, plans shall be prepared, sealed and signed by an architect, professional engineer, BCIN qualified designer, or a combination, as required.

Permit applications won't be accepted if the submitted plans are incomplete or inadequate for review.

You need a building permit to construct or demolish any building or addition, including:

• Alterations
• Fireplace installations
• Wood-burning stove installations
• Decks/sunrooms

A building permit is not required for:

• Constructing a detached accessory building with an area of 10 m2 or less that does not contain plumbing
• Painting or decorating
• Constructing kitchen or bathroom cupboards
• Landscaping
• Roof shingling, unless it is a clay tile roof
• Eavestroughing
• Damp-proofing a basement
• Making minor repairs to bricks or blocks

You must follow Richmond Hill's zoning by-laws even when a building permit is not required for your project.

Building permits are required for a number of reasons, including:

• To ensure construction of buildings meets the minimum standards of the Ontario Building Code (OBC)
• To ensure the value of your investment by meeting these standards
• To have trained professionals review proposed plans and inspect construction
• To meet safety standards for public health, fire protection and structural sufficiency of buildings

The Building Division of the Planning and Infrastructure Department receives applications for and issues building permits. The Building Division is located at:

225 East Beaver Creek Road, 3rd Floor
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4

Contact Building Division staff at 905-771-8810 or building@richmondhill.ca if you have any questions about building permits.

Building Division staff review permit plans. They check that plans meet the Zoning By-law, Ontario Building Code and other related standards and by-laws.

Development Engineering staff review the grading, drainage, vehicle access and road design plans, and require pre-approval of your application in some cases.

The Richmond Hill Fire Prevention Bureau checks that plans meet fire protection standards in the Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code and other related fire safety standards.