Home Renovations & Projects

Addition: Construction resulting in an in​crease in area to any building. This includes the attachment of any structure to the primary residential building, such as an accessory building or covered deck.

Sight Triangle: Required for corners lots, they provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

• All properties on a private septic system will require an on-site sewage system approval prior to issuance
• Any outstanding development, parkland dedication, water meter, and/or education development charges must be paid prior to building permit issuance.
• Ensure that the subdivision agreement is registered on title and check for any special conditions.
• If your property is a corner lot, be sure plans comply with sight triangle Zoning By-law standards. All corner lots shall provide a sight triangle consisting of an unobstructed triangular area where the front lot line and the exterior side lot line intersect.

This project requires a building permit. Apply for a permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.

Deck: A platform, or series of platforms, accessory to a main building that may be free-standing or attached to it.

Porch: A covered entranceway accessory to a main building

Sight Triangle: Required for corners lots, they provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

• Deck specifications
• Decks and porches cannot be located on easements. You may be able to have the easement released. For further information on easements please contact Legal Services 705-739-4220 x 4479
• A Building Permit will be required for construction of a Pergola if attached to a Deck or Structure. 
• Decks less than 1.75m (5.9 ft2) above grade are exempt from the 45% maximum permitted lot coverage.
• All corner lots shall provide a sight triangle consisting of an unobstructed triangular area where the front lot line and the exterior side lot line intersect. Sight triangles provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. If your property is a corner lot, be sure plans comply with sight triangle Zoning By-law standards:

Apply for a building permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence. This project requires:

• Residential Deck Permit if the deck/porch is greater than 10m2 (107ft2) or attached to the building or located at an entrance
• No permits if the deck/porch is less than 10m2 (107ft2) and not attached to the building or located at an entrance

Accessory Structure: A covered building that is not attached to a house. Accessory residential buildings include detached garages, sheds, carports, pergolas, gazebos, arbours, green houses and playhouses.

​Sight Triangle: Required for corners lots, they provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

• All properties on a private septic system will require an on-site sewage system approval prior to issuance.
• Any outstanding development, parkland dedication, water meter, and/or education development charges must be paid prior to building permit issuance.
• Ensure that the subdivision agreement is registered on title and check for any special conditions.
• Detached accessory structures (not including pools) cannot exceed 10% of the lot coverage. 
• Setbacks are required from all lot-lines regardless of if a building permit is required or not.
• If your structure will be connected to a house in any way, the structure would be considered an addition. See Building an Addition for information.
• If you are building a structure for the purpose of developing a backyard suite, please see Building a Second Suite.
• Sheds cannot be located on easements. You may be able to have the easement released. To request a release of easement please contact Legal Services 705-739-4220 x 4479. Note that staff are unable to confirm if your property is subject to an easement or not. This information can be obtained by your legal representative or by searching property title at the Land Registry Office.
• All corner lots shall provide a sight triangle consisting of an unobstructed triangular area where the front lot line and the exterior side lot line intersect. Sight triangles provide increased visibility at intersections for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. If your property is a corner lot, be sure plans comply with sight triangle Zoning By-law standards:

Apply for a building permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence. This project requires:

• Residential Accessory Building Permit if the structure is 10m2 (107ft2) in size or larger
• No permit if the structure is smaller than 10m2 (107ft2) in size

• Per the Pool Enclosure By-law (PDF), a pool, hot tub or spa capable of holding water with a depth greater than 0.45m (18") is required to be enclosed by a fence or, in the case of a hot tub or spa, protected by a lockable cover.
• The fence surrounding the pool or property is required to be non-climbable and at a minimum 1.2m (4ft) in height.
• Above ground pools may meet enclosure requirements if the pool walls are non-climbable, a minimum of 1.2m (4ft) in height and any access points to the pool are either removed or safely enclosed whenever the pool area is left unattended. A permit is required to verify.
• Pools, hot tubs and spas cannot be located on easements. You may be able to have the easement released.  For further information on easements please contact Legal Services 705-739-4220 x 4479.

Apply for a permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence. This project requires a Pool Fence Permit.

To help keep everyone safe and ensure that young children are always supervised in and around the pool. The City is partnering with the Lifesaving Society.

When you receive your valid City of Barrie pool fence permit, you will also receive the Lifesaving Society's On Guard card and a pool safety package. The On Guard card reminds parents that someone must be watching children near water with focused attention at all times. If you wear the card you're on guard. Learn more about pool safety.​

Permits required for this project are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Service Barrie at (705) 739-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca for your project’s permit requirements. Apply for a building permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.

Review the list of common residential projects that require a building permit. If your project requires a permit, apply before starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.

If your property experiences a change during the year (e.g. repair, renovation), you may qualify for the tax adjustment program. Visit the tax adjustment application page for eligibility criteria and application details. 

A secondary dwelling or detached accessory dwelling unit (also referred to as a garden suite or granny flat) is a detached standalone dwelling unit which is in addition to the principal dwelling unit on the property. A secondary dwelling can only be one unit. It is often used as a rental property and must be registered with the City. This is different than a second suite contained within the principal dwelling. 

Prior to doing any planning on a potential secondary dwelling, please contact planneroftheday@barrie.ca to determine if a secondary dwelling is permitted on your property. These units are permitted on residentially zoned parcels that have municipal frontage and a primary unit on site. If permitted, you will be provided direction on how to proceed.

The Simcoe County Secondary Suites Program provides funding to increase the supply of affordable housing. In support of Barrie's Affordable Housing initiatives, secondary suite and secondary dwelling applications made with an Affordable Housing eligibility letter from the County will be a priority.

This project requires a building permit. Apply for a permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.

In addition to the Permit Submission Requirements listed above, collect and complete the following:  

• Hydraulic load calculations (PDF) confirming water service pipes sized in accordance with Part 7 of the Ontario Building Code. Please note: the City's Water Transmission and Distribution Policies and Design Guidelines​​ (PDF) require a minimum water service size of 1" from the watermain to the water meter for all new services.

Fees are assessed according to the type of building and its size. Please refer to the current Fees By-law. Additional fees for development charges may apply. Please contact the Finance department at (705) 739-4232 to see if this applies to your project.

If you are required to upgrade your water service within the municipal right of way, you may be eligible for a grant​ in the amount of up to $5,000.00.

Development Services (Planning) requires Secondary Dwellings to be registered in accordance with the Second Suites Registration By-law (PDF). A registered Secondary Dwelling advises all City departments and other agencies that there are multiple units on the property. Once the Secondary Dwelling has passed all the required inspections, it will be automatically registered with the City of Barrie. 

A second suite is a standalone unit with a kitchen and a bathroom within the primary structure on a property (typically found in the basement of a house). It is often used as a rental property and must be registered with the City. 

Prior to doing any planning on a potential second suite, please contact planneroftheday@barrie.ca​ to determine if a second suite is permitted on your property. ​These units are permitted on residentially zoned parcels that have municipal frontage and a primary unit on site. If the property is in a site plan control area, you may require site plan approval prior to applying for a building permit for a second suite. If permitted, you will be provided direction on how to proceed.

The Simcoe County Secondary Suites Program provides funding to increase the supply of affordable housing. In support of Barrie's Affordable Housing initiatives, secondary suite and secondary dwelling applications made with an Affordable Housing eligibility letter from the County will be a priority.

This project requires a building permit. Apply for a permit prior to starting any work. When the permit is issued, construction can commence.

A registered second suite advises all City departments and other agencies that there are two separate units on the property. ​Once the second suite has passed all the required inspections, the suite will be automatically registered with the City of Barrie. An e-mail is sent to the applicant, relevant City Departments, and external agencies to advise them of the registration of the Second Suite. View map of all registered second suites.

For questions regarding how to register a second suite where a building permit is not required, contact planneroftheday@barrie.ca​.

The City's Guide to Building Second Suites (PDF) and the Province of Ontario's Adding a Second Unit in an Existing House page are helpful resources for homeowners considering a Second Suites project.​​

Apply for a building permit prior to starting any work. Note: The Schedule 2 Sewage System Installer Information (PDF) is part of the permit application. It is required to be completed for every septic/sewage system application by individuals who review and take responsibility for design activities with respect to the project in accordance with part 8 of the Ontario Building Code. When the permit is issued, construction can commence. This project requires a Sewage System Permit.