You've got big plans for your property, so you're eager to jump right in and just get it done! But wait, your projects could be ordered to be torn down or you could get a big fine if you don't have a permit.

But When Do I Need A Building Permit?

So, right off the bat, you should research and contact your municipality to see if your project requires a building permit, as this list can't cover it all, and is just meant to be a snapshot.

What a Building Permit?

A building permit is a legal authorization from the municipality, in our case, the City of Sarnia, that allows you to proceed with your construction project. You may be thinking to yourself, "if the home and land is mine, why can't I do anything I want with the property? Why do we have to get a permit for certain projects?"

That's a good question. If you have fee simple homeownership, you have the highest amount of control over your property you can. Yet there are still limitations to what you can do without permission, and it all comes down to safety, health and accessibility.

Imagine an unskilled individual that builds an addition onto their home without getting a permit. He sells his home privately in the fall and then hears that during a big snowstorm in the winter the roof collapsed. He would be liable to the city for not getting a permit, and he would likely be sued by the buyers, even more so if anyone was injured.

Exterior

Let's look at the exterior of the home first. But for existing homes, some projects that may need building permits are accessory buildings like a garage or a shed, depending on their square footage and height.

Any additions being built on the home will need a building permit, as well as any demolition that needs to happen.

Other work that need permits:

• New home builds
• Swimming pools with more than 2 feet of water.
• Decks more than 2 feet above the ground and porch additions require a permit.
• Solar panels
• Wheelchair ramps
• Fixing your home's foundation

So, what kind of work inside your home needs a building permit?

• Finishing basement or attic
• Fireplace or wood stove installation
• Plumbing system installation
• Heating system installation
• Air conditioning system installation

Luckily, there are some things that don't need permits, like fences, or certain decks under 2 feet, replacing siding or shingles, changing doors, installing cabinets or shelves. Even sheds that meet certain criteria are exempt.

There are lots of things that require building permits. If you have a project in mind and aren't sure if you need a permit check out the city of Sarnia's website for info. You can see how to apply for a permit and all the steps you need to take to get the project done: www.sarnia.ca/building-permits