Building Permit Application Process

Learn about the specific drawings and documents you have to provide to apply for a building permit. 

• Residential construction projects
• Non-residential construction projects

It's strongly recommended that you work with a design professional such as an architect, professional engineer or qualified designer to create complete, compliant  and accurate drawings.

Standardized naming conventions for documents

Name your file using the short form name followed by underscore and then the property address. An example of an architectural drawing set would look like this: Architectural_1225 Trafalgar Road.

Forms

Agent Authorization: AgentAuthorization_Property Address
Controlled Flow Roof Drain Declaration: CFRD_Property Address
Demolition Permit Clearances: DemoClearances_Property Address
Energy Efficiency Design Summary (EEDS): EEDS_Property Address
General Review (If in one file): GRF_Property Address
General Review Forms (for separate disciplines):

• GRF_Arch_Property Address
• GRF_Mech_Property Address
• GRF_Elect_Property Address
• GRF_Struct_Property Address
• GRF_Fire_Property Address

Other Form: Other_Property Address
Precautions During Excavation with supporting documents: PrecautionsDeclaration_Property Address
SB-10: SB10_Property Address
Schedule -1 for Designers:

• Schedule1_Designer_Property Address
• Schedule1_HVAC_Property Address

Water Service Pipe Sizing: WSPS_Property Address

Drawings

Architectural Drawing Set: Architectural_Property Address
Civil Drawing Set: Civil_Property Address
Electrical Drawing Set: Electrical_Property Address
Fire Protection Drawing Set: FireProtection_Property Address
Landscaping: LandScaping_Property Address
Mechanical Drawing Set: Mechanical_Property Address
Plumbing Drawing Set: Plumbing_Property Address
Site Plan / Grading Plan: SiteGradingPlan_Property Address
Site Survey: SiteSurvey_Property Address
Site Servicing Plan: SiteServicing_Property Address
Structural Drawing Set: Structural_Property Address

Calculations and reports

Building Energy Modelling Report: ModellingReport_Property Address
Fire Protection Report: FireReport_Property Address
Geotechnical Report: Geotechnical_Property Address
Geothermal Calculations: Geothermal_Property Address
HVAC Load Calculations: HVACload_Property Address HVACload_1 Trafalgar Road
Site Servicing Fee Calculation Sheet: SiteServicingCalcs_Property Address
Sprinkler Hydraulic Calculations: HydraulicCalcs_Property Address
Structural Report: StructuralReport_Property address

Other documents

Response Letter: ResponseLetter_Property Address
DENG: DENG_Property Address
Ontario Building Code Matrix: OBC_Matrix_Property Address
Property Owner Single Dwelling Unit Affirmation: SDUAffirmation_Property Address
Response Letter: ResponseLetter_Property Address
Specifications: Specs_Type_Property Address

Help us process your application faster by following the document submission standards.

Submission standards

1. Organize drawings and documents as separate files. Each document file can contain multiple pages if you are submitting a set of architectural drawings. Forms should be submitted as single documents.
2. Orient drawings in landscape. Orient forms and documents in portrait.
3. Save files in Vector PDF format, unlocked/editable, greyscale, flattened into a single layer and free of comments. Tip: To convert drawings created in AutoCAD to vector PDF, use Autodesk Vector Graphic Converter “DWG to PDF.pc3 plotter”.
4. Submit searchable PDF files for calculations, reports and other supporting documents (non-drawing files), when possible.
5. If including scanned documents, resolution of 1-bit black-and-white 300 dpi is usually acceptable. For plans and drawings with fine lines and detail, 600 dpi resolution is required. Full-colour renderings and photos may be submitted, but only as supplements to a sufficient set of plans. Grayscale is preferred.
6. Naming conventions: Please name your files according to the standardized naming conventions list below. This saves significant time in processing your application.
7. Resubmissions: Use bubbles to denote changes to the drawings and include a response letter detailing how review comments have been addressed. Remember to coordinate changes to drawings that impact other disciplines and supporting documents.

Sign In to Online Services

Submitting applications online

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If it is your first time using our online services, you need to create a user name and password. If you have an existing account, you can use the same username and password.

Provide information about your project and upload your drawings and documents. You do not need to provide the Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.

Please follow the submission standards outlined in Step Two to help us process your application quickly.

Once your application is accepted, you will receive an invoice for payment. Convenient electronic payment options include:

• Credit card up to $5,000 payable by signing into your town account
• Email transfer up to $10,000 through your financial institution to buildingrequests@oakville.ca
• Electronic funds transfer (EFT) in any amount with direct payment to the Town of Oakville’s bank account. Please direct the EFT notification to accountsreceivable@oakville.ca and notify Building Services once payment has been made at buildingrequests@oakville.ca
• For faster processing, please include the permit number and property address with any of the above payment methods.
• Wire transfer payments are subject to additional fees and may cause permit processing delays. Please choose one of the above preferred payment options when making building permit payments.

For more information, please visit the Electronic Payment Information page. Cheques are still accepted made payable to the Town of Oakville, and mailed or delivered to:

Town of Oakville Attn: Building Services
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, ON L6H 0H3

Once payment is received, your application will progress through a series of reviews. We will provide you with a courtesy status update after each type of review is complete and provide a list of deficiencies that require attention, if applicable. 

Once all examinations are complete and requirements are satisfied, you will be issued a building permit.

Refusals and resubmissions

If there are issues with your application, you will be provided a notification letter summarizing the deficiencies to be addressed. At this point, you are eligible to resubmit your revised plans that address the deficiency issues. 

Building inspections are required at various stages of construction under the Ontario Building Code to ensure all construction is done in accordance with approved plans. 

Go to the Building Inspections page to learn about the inspection process.