Frame of a house

Before any construction or renovation can begin, you will need to obtain a building permit. Building Department staff oversee the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code Act in order to ensure health and safety in the Municipality of Port Hope. Building without a permit can result in fines and penalties as set out in the Building Code Act.

Before you get started

 You need a building permit to:
  • Construct a new building larger than 10 m2
  • Renovate, repair, or add to a building
  • Demolish or remove all or a portion of a building
  • Change a buildings use
  • Install, change, or remove partitions and load-bearing walls
  • Make new openings for, or change the size of, doors and windows
  • Build a garage, balcony, deck or enclose an existing deck
  • Build a utility shed
  • Excavate a basement or construct a foundation
  • Install or modifying  any life safety or fire suppression system such as fire alarms, sprinkler or standpipe or fixed extinguishing systems
  • Install or modify heating, plumbing, and air conditioning systems, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and woodstoves
  • Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards with plumbing
  • Reconstruct a chimney
  • Build a roofless deck over 0.61 m in height that is not attached to a building
  • Finish a basement or convert a room into a bedroom
  • Manufactured or prefab homes must have CSA approval

 You do not need a building permit to:
  • Replace existing, same-size doors and windows (subject to distance from property lines)
  • Install siding on small residential building (subject to distance from property lines)
  • Build a utility shed under 10 m2 (Planning approval is still required)
  • Re-shingle a roof (as long as there is no structural work)
  • Install eavestrough (as long as drainage is contained on your property)
  • Paint or decorate
  • Reinstall kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing
  • Put up a fence (except around swimming pools)

If you are unsure whether you require a building permit or not, contact the Building Division so they can guide you through the permit process.

Planning Approval

Before applying for a building permit, Planning must review your proposal to ensure that the project meets the requirements of the Zoning By-Law. The planning review forms and submission requirements can be found on the Planning and Development Applications page. If you require any assistance please contact the Planning Department.

Apply for a Permit

Once you have approval from planning you can submit your building permit application. Permit applications are to be signed by the owner or an agent of the owner who has been authorized in writing by the owner. 

 Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish 

Complete the application and submit it along with the required drawings, documents and forms to:

Development Team office
5 Mill St. S.
Port Hope, ON L1A 2S6
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Drawing Submission Guidelines

Please follow our submission guidelines when submitting your permit application

  • Design Guides and Requirements
  •  Digital Submissions
     You can submit digital files on a USB flash drive or by Email. Digital files must:
    • be in PDF format, version 7 or later
    • be unsecured and not password protected
    • be flattened to a single layer 
    • have a maximum size of ARCH E (36" x 48" or 914.4mm x 1219.2mm)
    • be properly labelled

    All scanned documents must meet the following requirements:

    • be at a resolution that is easily legible on screen, and the pages must not be skewed
    • do not reduce the scanned documents size
  •  Paper Submissions

     All paper submissions must be:

    • Black and White (color is acceptable as long as it shows up when scanned)
    • Drawn to scale
    • Clearly legible

    In addition:

    • All walls must be drawn as double lines to accurately show thickness
    • You must distinguish between existing and proposed construction
    • Every page should include the project and designer information

Rates and Fees

Visit our fees and charges webpage for a breakdown of the fees for building in Port Hope. For assistance, contact the Building Division at 905-885-2431 or email us.

Municipal Development Charges shall be as per By-Law 63-2019 Schedule "B", as amended. 

Northumberland County Development Charges shall be as per By-Law 2020-36 Schedule "A", as amended. 

Additional Forms/Requirements

Depending on the type and complexity of your project, you may be required to submit additional forms along with your permit application.

Agent authorization form

If the property owner intends to have others act on your behalf during the building permit process, the agent authorization form must be completed and submitted with your application.

Download Form

Electrical work

If your project includes electrical work you will need to contact the Electrical Safety Authority in order to apply for an electrical permit or book an inspection. 

 Entrance/Set back permit

Entrance/Set Back Permits must be obtained from the Roads Department having jurisdiction over any roads or highways abutting the subject property.

Municipal roads

Works and Engineering
Phone: 905-885-2431
Website: https://www.porthope.ca/en/living-here/road-permits.aspx

County roads

Northumberland County Transportation, Waste & Facilities Department
555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, ONK9A 5J6
Phone: 905-372-3329
Fees for county Entrance/Set Back Permits can be found at: https://www.northhumberlandcounty.ca

Provincial highways

If construction is proposed adjacent to a provincial highway contact the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario at 905-885-6381 for information on setback requirements.

Website: https://www.hcms.mto.gov.on.ca/ApplyForPermit/Entrance

Ganaraska region conservation authority

If any part of the lot is within an area regulated by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, a permit may be required. 

2216 County Road 28
Port Hope, ON L1A 3V8
Phone: 905-885-8173
Email: info@grca.on.ca

Heritage permit

Changes being made to a designated property will require a Heritage Approval Application. Consult with the Planning Division prior to submitting an application. 

Port Hope area initiative (PHAI) by: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.

The Port Hope Project involves the clean up of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Urban Area.

25 Henderson Street
Port Hope ON, L1A 0C6
Phone: 905-885-0291
Email: info@phai.ca

Plumbing permit

Application and fees; $150.00 base fee plus $17.00 per fixture

Apply for Plumbing Permit

Septic (onsite) sewage system permit

Septic sewage system permits must be obtained from Northumberland County. Applications for permits can be picked up at the county office:

600 William Street, Cobourg, ON or printed from the county’s website.

Site plan agreement/lot grading plan

New developments are subject to planning review. Prior to Building Services involvement or permit application, documented project approval from the Municipal Planning Department is required. Municipal Planners can be contacted at the Development Team Office – 905-885-2431 or planning@porthope.ca 

Site plans must be prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) or Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) and shall include:

  • Plans showing the true dimension of the lot to be built, excavated or otherwise used or occupied.
  • Plans showing location, height, floor area and dimensions of all proposed and existing building(s) on the subject property.
  • Plans showing the relationship of all existing or proposed building(s) to adjacent buildings, streets, setbacks, landscaped open space, landscape features such as retaining walls and off-street parking.
  • Plans showing contours, elevations and cross sections as required to determine surface drainage patterns, flood line elevations and the elevation of lands and proposed building(s) relative to a public street, road or waterway.
  • The general location of all services such as water supply, sewage disposal, solid waste collection, energy supplies and communication utilities belonging to the proposed building(s).
Surveys may be obtained from the Land Registry Office, 1005 Elgin Street West, Cobourg – 905-372-3813. If a survey is not available, accurate site dimensions must be obtained for the site plan drawing.