As building activities ramp up for the season, the City wants to remind homeowners who undertake design and/or construction activities themselves of their roles & responsibilities, to ensure compliance with mandated permit and inspection requirements.
Building project stakeholders have defined roles and responsibilities within the permit process. Understanding your role is key for efficient permit processing and successful project completion. Building projects range in levels of complexity.
If you choose to design or build on your own (without the help of a professional), you assume the responsibility of the role you are fulfilling. Building Services staff cannot provide any consultation or design advice during or outside of the permit process.
Doing it Yourself
Consider your own knowledge, skills, abilities, and available time carefully:
- Do you have a copy of, or access to, the Ontario Building Code?
- Do you know and understand the requirements of the Building Code?
- Do you know the requirements of the Zoning By-law?
- Are you capable of providing code compliant detailed drawings to scale?
- Can you size structural elements?
- Can you provide enough detail that anyone could construct the project?
- Are you prepared to revise the drawings if required?
- Do you have knowledge of common construction practices?
Designer Responsibilities
The Role of a Designer is to provide a design for the proposed construction that shows compliance with the requirements of the Building Code Act, Ontario Building Code, Building By-law, and all Applicable Laws.
The Designer shall provide drawings and documentation with an appropriate level of detail for plan review, construction, and building inspection. The Designer shall provide a design only for those matters for which the designer has the qualifications as required under the Act.
Builder/Contractor Responsibilities
The Role of the Builder/Contractor is to proceed with construction when a building permit that is required under the Building Code Act has been issued by the Chief Building Official.
The Builder/Contractor shall construct in accordance with the reviewed drawings, use appropriate building techniques to achieve compliance, and notify the designer and Building Inspector if any changes are required to be made from the reviewed plans.
Hiring a Professional
Qualified industry professionals (e.g. designers, contractors, etc.) can help to:
- Reduce delays
- Minimize costs
- Mitigate risk (things are less likely to be missed or overlooked)
- Prevent unexpected complications
When choosing your professional, it’s always a good idea to inquire about:
- Previous projects (examples of work)
- Years of experience
- List of references
- Qualifications
We provide helpful resources on our Building Project Resources webpage, which can help you find a qualified designer. See "External Resources" under the "Helpful Links" section for more information.
Complying with Permit and Inspections Requirements
Understanding and fulfilling your role in the permit process and having the appropriate level of building and construction knowledge and experience, will help you to execute your building project obligations as mandated by the Building Code Act. For more information on additional roles associated with the Building Permit process, please see our Roles & Responsibilities in the Permit Process Information Sheet.
Paul Evans, CBCO, MAATO
Chief Building Official