Phone: 705-636-5941   

Fax: 705-636-5759   

Monday – Friday:  8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Building

Chief Building Official

Mike Wilmon
1695 Emsdale Road, PO BOX 70
Emsdale, ON P0A 1J0
705-636-5941
Email

Development Planning Administrative Assistant

Ashley Dubuc
1695 Emsdale Road, PO BOX 70
Emsdale, ON P0A 1J0
705-636-5941
Email

Building Department Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All inspections are scheduled in the mornings between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with the Chief Building Official for all building inquiries and prior to submitting any building permit application. View the Township's Building Official Code of Conduct should you have any questions regarding the conduct or actions of the Chief Building Official.


Building Department

Building permits ensure that we follow the minimum standards of the Ontario Building Code. These standards protect the health and safety of building occupants by managing:

  • Design
  • Construction
  • Quality of materials
  • Use and occupancy of buildings and structures
  • Protection of the environment

Before starting any work, you must ensure the Township has issued a building permit that you have picked up and posted at the entrance of the subject property. Please review the Building By-law (amended by By-law 2022-113) respecting construction, demolition, change of use, conditional permits, and inspections.

Permit Applications, Forms, and applicable Construction Guides can be found under Permits, Licenses, and Application page. For information on application fees, view our Construction Fees.


As of January 1, 2023 - NEW Construction Building Fees and updated 2023 Calculation Sheet


Rendering of house being built

Please note that this is not a complete list. Contact the Building Department prior to conducting any work on your property to confirm if a building permit is required.

  • New residential dwellings
  • Attached garage, carport, or other roof structure of any size
  • Detached garage, carport, or accessory structure 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) and greater (measured to the outside face of exterior walls)
  • Shed (storage building) 15m2 (161 sq. ft.) and greater
  • Free standing decks 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) and greater (any height)
  • Dock, boathouse or boat port 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) and greater
  • Additions to a building
  • Demolition of a structure greater than 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) in building area
  • Tent or group of tents that is more than 60m2 (646 sq. ft.) in aggregate ground area, attached to a building or constructed within 3m (9’-10”) of any structure
  • Industrial, commercial, institutional, and multi-residential construction or alternations or changes of use

It is your responsibility, as the homeowner, to ensure that a building permit is obtained before you start construction. Building without a permit is against the law and could result in you and/or your contractor being subject to fines or penalties as set out in the Building Code Act.

A complete building permit application is usually processed within the following number of business days, based on the building classification of the project listed below:

  • Single-family dwellings and other small projects – 10 business days
  • Small buildings other than houses – 15 business days
  • Large buildings – 20 business days
  • Complex buildings – 30 business days

Incomplete applications will not be processed or issued until all zoning and planning approvals and relevant information and all other applicable law requirements are completed. These applications are exempt from the timelines listed above.

If an existing structure is being removed, you will require a demolition permit. If you are rebuilding on the site, the demolition permit can be issued in conjunction with the building permit.

Required inspections are listed on your permit. We complete inspections in the mornings, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).

To book an inspection, please contact the Building Department a minimum of 2 business days before your requested date of inspection by telephone at 705-636-5941.

When booking your inspection make sure that you include:

  • Permit number
  • Your name
  • Owner’s name (if applicable)
  • Date of inspection
  • Inspection type

The approval process for septic systems within the Township requires approval from the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority. The process generally consists of screening the application for completeness, a site evaluation inspection, technical review, and issuance of a permit. An approved permit is required prior to start of construction.

For additional information and application forms, contact the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority at 705-474-5420 or visit their website.

Civic Addressing, also known as the blue 9-1-1 address blade, is primarily in place to help emergency services locate properties. Addresses are subsequently referenced for mail, phone service, etc.

Civic addresses are extremely important for emergency services. Removing or not properly maintaining your 9-1-1 number blade can affect the quality of emergency services, and the removal of any road or civic address sign is a serious offence that should be reported to the OPP as well as the Township for immediate replacement.

Civic addresses can be purchased from the Township and placed at, near, or on the Provincial highway or Township road allowance. See our Civic Addressing By-law for installation details, including required setbacks. Civic addresses are owned by the property owner and maintenance and up keep are the responsibility of the owner.

**Note: Civic Address Numbers will not be assigned to vacant land. A valid building permit must be issued prior to the release of a civic address 9-1-1 number blade.

New Civic Address or Replacement forms can be found under Permits, Licenses, and Application.

Electrical Inspections:
Electrical Safety Authority, Hydro One, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) 1-888-664-9376, for electrical inspections call 1-877-372-7233

Docks, boathouses, or shoreline improvements:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: 705-645-8747 and Department of Fisheries and Oceans: 705-746-2196

Ontario Building Code