Building permits are in place for your safety - and the safety of those around you, ensuring your construction project is protected from structural failure, fire hazards from electrical and heating systems, electrical shock and other health risks. Permits also provide a permanent record of the work performed and all inspections conducted to ensure the project is sound and safe.
Before starting a new construction project -- either indoors or outdoors -- you must determine whether you need a building permit.
Building Services at the City of Stratford is here to help you through the Building Permit process.
Building Permits are accepted electronically or in person. Please review the steps below to apply for a building permit in the City of Stratford.
Most construction projects require the property owner to apply for and obtain a building permit.
As a building owner, you are ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Failure to obtain building permits can result in costly construction delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.
If you have any questions about these guidelines, or you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please contact us to discuss. These guidelines are not exhaustive and are subject to change without notice.
The following are examples of work which do not require a building permit and are not subject to the provisions of the building code (though require compliance with the Zoning By-law). This list is not exhaustive and judgment should be used depending on the situation and circumstances associated with the project. If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please contact us to discuss.
When planning home improvements, you must consider whether you need a building permit. Building permits are required to ensure that all projects meet the Ontario Building Code, zoning requirements, and other building standards are met. Once submitted, Building Permit Applications are reviewed by Municipal Building Officials, to ensure that these minimum requirements are met.
Whether you are doing the work yourself, or hiring a contractor/sub-contractor, it is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure a building permit is obtained, the work is inspected, and any infractions are corrected.
Starting construction without a permit is illegal and is a Provincial Offence.
Please fill out the City of Stratford Building Permit Application. If you intend to pay the application fee with a credit card, please fill out the Credit Card Form.
Next, ensure that you have completed all of the required forms and drawings. Dependent on your project, please review these handouts:
For any questions regarding applying for a building permit please contact the City of Stratford Building Department.
Completed Building Permit Applications, forms and drawings can be submitted using the Electronic Permit Submission Page.
Please follow the Electronic Permit Application Requirements for file upload requirements.
Hardcopy applications are accepted at the City Hall Annex (3rd Floor), located at 82 Erie Street, Stratford Ontario, N5A 2M4. Only 1 method of submission is required for each permit.
Please ensure that all of the required forms and drawings are submitted. Upon receipt of your submission, a staff member will reach out to confirm your building permit cost, and whether any documents or drawings are missing. Municipal staff cannot begin review of your Application until all documents, and payment, are submitted.
Upon receipt of your submission, staff will reach out to confirm your building permit cost and collect payment. The application is considered complete once all forms, drawings and payments have been collected.
Municipal staff review complete applications in order of submission. It typically takes about 10 business days to review residential applications and issue the permit. Depending on the project type and and building classification, a longer review period may be assigned.
During the review period, the Building Officials review your documents and drawings, to determine compliance with the various By-laws, Codes and Standards. If a deficiency is identified, or if more additional information is needed, the Building Officials will reach out to the applicant to determine a solution.
Once the review is complete and any deficiencies have been corrected, the building permit is issued. Staff will call or email the applicant when the building permit is issued. For applications submitted online, the building permit is emailed, while paper applications' permits and relating documentation usually need to be picked up at the City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 2M4, 3rd Floor).
Construction may only start once the building permit has been issued. Please review the conditions which have been noted on your building permit and drawings. The permit and attachments should be available on the site.
Mandatory inspections are required to ensure all work being completed is in compliance with the approved plans, including any conditions identified by the Building Officials. It is the responsibility of the permit holder or the agent/contractor acting on behalf of the property owner to book appointments for the required inspections.
Any deviation from the approved application and drawings must be reported to the Building Division. A revised permit application and fees may be required.
For any questions regarding applying for a building permit please contact the City of Stratford Building Division.
Most construction projects require the property owner to apply for and obtain a building permit. Review our list of projects that require and do not require a building permit. If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please contact us to discuss.
Most projects' drawings can be created by the homeowner, though larger residential projects are often designed by a qualified engineer, architect or designer.
When creating drawings, please ensure they are drawn to scale and include all required information.
The City's Facility Accessibility Design Manual (FADM) was adopted by City Council at the July 26, 2021 Regular Council meeting. Created in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the FADM addresses accessibility requirements for the design and construction of new facilities, as well as retrofit, alteration or additions to existing facilities owned, leased or operated by the City of Stratford.
Staff and the Accessibility Advisory Committee will work to promote the manual and provide education on the benefits of meeting these standards by private developers. As noted above, these standards only apply to City facilities and not private developers, although its use will be encouraged throughout the community. Staff will also begin ensuring future projects comply with the manual.
A physical copy of the FADM can be requested by email, or by calling 519-271-0250 ext. 5345.
The Code of Conduct applies to the Chief Building Official and inspectors appointed under the Building Code Act in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty under the Building Code Act or the Building Code.
The purpose of this Code is to promote appropriate standards of behavior and enforcement actions to ensure building officials apply standards of honesty and integrity, and to prevent practices constituting an abuse of power including unethical or illegal practices.
Building Officials undertake to:
Compliance with this code of conduct shall constitute a condition of employment as a Chief Building Official or Inspector appointed under the Building Code Act. Any appointed Chief Building Official or Inspector who fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this code may be subject to disciplinary action appropriate to the seriousness of the breach. All allegations concerning a breach of this code shall be made in writing.
Any person who has reason to believe that this code of conduct has been breached may bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Building Official. Where the allegation concerns the actions of the Chief Building Official, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Department Head to whom the Chief Building Official reports.
Any Chief Building Official or Department Head who receives information in writing concerning a breach of this code shall review the allegations of breach and, where justified, shall direct an investigation. Where appropriate, the Chief Building Official or Department Head shall recommend disciplinary action in accordance with the employment standards of the place of work. All communications received by a Chief Building Official or Department Head concerning a breach of this code shall be held in confidence.
Disciplinary action arising from violations of this code of conduct is the responsibility of the City and the Chief Building Official and will be based on the severity and frequency of the violation in accordance with employment laws and standards and relevant collective agreements.
The City of Stratford Building By-Law #112-2005 outlines all the applicable fees based on the project type and building classification, and most permit fees are calculated by building square footage, while some projects are charged a flat fee. All fees must be paid in full at time of permit application. We accept cash, cheque or credit card.
Development Charges provide for the recovery of growth-related capital expenditures from new development. The Development Charges Act is the statutory basis to recover these charges. Development Charges are adjusted annually on January 1st, and are subject to change without notice.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder or the agent/contractor acting on behalf of the property owner to book appointments for the required inspections. Failure to have inspections performed may result in having to uncover and expose work for inspection.
To book inspections please follow these steps:
The Building Department does not call you back to confirm the time of your inspection. You may assume that your inspection is scheduled as close as possible to your requested time. We will only return your call if there is a conflict or we cannot accommodate your request. While staff will attempt to maintain scheduled inspections during the am or pm, we cannot guarantee specific appointments.
The Ontario Building Code stipulates the stages at which a construction project must be inspected. The list of inspections and reports/submissions required is noted on your building permit.
In order to complete an inspection the permit package must be available to the inspector on site.
If you have any questions please call 519-271-0250 ext. 5345.
A Zoning and Building Information Report offers information regarding the zoning, permitted uses, recent building permits, outstanding inspections and work orders for a property. This report is often a requirement at the time of a property transfer, sale or refinancing.
Please fill out the Request for a Zoning and Building Information Report, which can be submitted in person at the City Hall Annex (82 Erie Street, 3rd Floor), or by email. Requests are not processed until payment has been received, either by cash, cheque, or credit card.
A survey is a dimension plan of someone's property, including property line locations and dimensions. It also includes any fixed structures on the property (i.e., buildings, fences, retaining walls, etc.).
A survey plan is a representation of the physical conditions of the site at a specific point in time and reliance on any survey plan should be done with caution, and with an awareness that physical conditions of any site can change with the erection of fences, building additions, and the passage of time. Please note that survey(s) on file may not be up to date, and if the survey is to be used for land planning or building matters, the property owner should hire a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor to conduct the survey.
To request a copy of a survey that we have on file, please send us an email, specifying the property address. There is no cost to search the file for a survey. The survey can only be released to the registered property owner (confirmed by photo identification). If the request is being submitted by someone other than the property owner, a signed Authorized Agent Form will be needed. There is an estimated three business day turnaround for requests.
If no survey is located in our files: