Building Permits
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: |
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You do not need a building permit to: |
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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
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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
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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. |
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 roadsWorks and Engineering County roadsNorthumberland County Transportation, Waste & Facilities Department Provincial highwaysIf 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 |
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 |
Plumbing permit |
Application and fees; $150.00 base fee plus $17.00 per fixture |
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:
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Precautions are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Service information on some pages may not be accurate during this time. Please refer to our COVID-19 Updates page for service changes.