The Building Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code, the municipality’s Building and Property Standards By-laws, and various other statutes and regulations.
The purpose of these regulations is to safeguard life, limb and health by establishing appropriate minimum standards.
The Building Division provides services in three distinct areas. Plans examination and permit issuance for all building projects, inspection services to determine compliance and enforcement services for associated by-laws.
Permits ensure that construction within the municipality meets with standards set out in the Ontario Building Code. No matter what the specific project may be, the enforcement of codes is carried out to protect public health, safety and welfare. Compliance with municipal by-laws such as the Zoning By-law is also evaluated during the review process.
Building permits are typically required for the following:
- New buildings
- Additions
- Renovations or alterations
- Demolitions
- Prefabricated structures
- Mobile home plumbing systems
- HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)
- Miscellaneous for residential (pools, fireplaces, decks, fences, etc.)
- Temporary buildings
- Installing new windows and exterior doors
- Installing new shingles or metal roofing
- Installing new cladding (siding, stucco, etc.)
To be sure, contact the Building Division at 705-541-7306 or email buildingpermits@cityssm.on.ca, describe the work to be done and investigate what the requirements are.
If your questions cannot be answered over the phone or email, you can show your proposal to Building Division staff at the Civic Centre – Level 5. They are always ready and willing to help.
GENERAL INQUIRY
705-759-5378
engineering@cityssm.on.ca
Approval Process
Ontario Building Code (OBC) Review Your application will be examined for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, which regulates:
- Building occupancy
- Construction and material requirements for structural and for safety
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and other building related requirements
The permit review process begins when a completed application is submitted with required permit fees. Our office is mandated to issue a permit or provide reasons for refusal within the following timeframes:
- House, garage, townhouse – 10 working days
- All other Part 9 buildings – 15 working days
- Part 3 buildings – 20 working days
- Post-disaster, high-rise and buildings containing inter-connected floors – 30 working days