Building Permits

The online building permit system, Cloudpermit allows you to apply and see the status of your application anywhere, at any time. It allows you to start an application and finish it later.

Cloud permit also works as a communication tool allowing you to receive email updates on the status of your permit application. 

Need help getting started with Cloudpermit? Check out Cloudpermit 101 on the Cloudpermit Support Centre. You can also watch this video on how to submit an application.

If you are having difficulty using Cloudpermit, please contact the Building Department for assistance at building@saugeenshores.ca 519-832-2008 ext. 118

Once the application has been reviewed and is ready to be issued, applicants will be notified of application fees owing via Cloudpermit. Cheques can be dropped off at the municipal office (600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin) drop box located to the left of the Plex entrance. Once payment is received, the building permit will be issued on Cloudpermit.

You can pay for your building permit directly through Cloudpermit using Visa or Mastercard. Should you wish to use a different form of payment, please attend the Municipal Office (600 Tomlinson Dr, Port Elgin) during business hours with a copy of your invoice. We can accept the following forms of payment at the Municipal Office:

• Cash
• Debit
• Money order
• Cheque
• Visa
• Mastercard

Cheques and money orders are payable to the Town of Saugeen Shores. Please note, Visa and Mastercard are not accepted forms of payment for development charges. Cheques can be left in our drop box located to the left of the Plex entrance (600 Tomlinson Dr, Port Elgin).

View the following list for fees associated with building permits:

• Residential Buildings, Additions & Renovations - finished space: $9.63 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• Residential Buildings, Additions & Renovations - unfinished spaces: $6.24 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• Plumbing fees: $15.73 per fixture

• Commercial, Group D and Group E: $11.51 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• Assembly/Institutional, Group A and B: $12.63 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• Industrial, Group F1, F2 and F3: $8.69 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• New Accessory Buildings for Small Buildings under Part 9 (non-farm): $6.24 per m² with a minimum fee of $170.13

• Demolition: $180.96

• Zoning and Building Compliance Letter: $114.79, if required in less than 48 hours - $168.90

View a list of our classes of permits and permit fees.

In some cases, such as for new home builds, the Building Department is responsible for collecting fees on behalf of other Departments. These fees are as follows:

• Water meter
• Lot grading and drainage plan review

You may qualify for a reduction in building permit fees for your renovation if the land is located within downtown Port Elgin or downtown Southampton. Fees in these areas are 50 per cent of the calculated required fee. We use our Building and Sign Permit Fee Reduction Policy to help eligible local business thrive in the downtown cores.

In addition to building permit fees, development charges are collected to help fund essential infrastructure, such as:

• Roads and sewers
• Water systems
• Fire and police stations
• Recreation centres and libraries

These charges are typically collected at the time your permit is issued.

Visit our Development Charges page to see how charges are calculated. 

Building permits are required for all new dwelling construction projects. Required documents to be uploaded to Cloudpermit include:

• Schedule 1: Designer Information Form
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary - Prescription Method
• Site Plan including location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines
• Lot Grading and Drainage Plan - Prepared by a Professional Engineer (P. Eng), Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) or Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) as applicable
• Construction plans including structural and architectural details (preferably in pdf format)
• Roof truss drawings, stamped by an engineer (preferably in pdf format)
• Septic system design and permit (if applicable)
• Clearance from the Conservation Authority if you plan to build in a regulated area

Guide to Building a New House

Building Permits are required for all additions to residential and commercial buildings, as well as for certain renovations and repairs. Permits are needed for projects such as:

• Finishing a basement
• Installing roof-mounted solar panels
• Adding or relocating plumbing fixtures

Required Documents (to upload to Cloudpermit):

• Site Plan showing the proposed building, property line setbacks, and septic system (if applicable)
• Project Drawings (e.g., construction/layout plans)
• Septic System Evaluation (if applicable)
• Engineering Documents for solar panels, including mounting and structural evaluation by a professional engineer
• Conservation Authority Clearance if building in a regulated area

Guide to Renovations & Additions

A building permit is required in the Town of Saugeen Shores for creating an Additional Residential Unit (ARU).

They (ARUs) are permitted as renovations or additions and as detached structures. Please pre-consult with the Building Department at building@saugeenshores.ca to ensure your property has the correct zoning to allow for such ARU to be created. Required documents to be uploaded to Cloudpermit include:

• Site Plan including location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines
• Drawings specific to the project (construction/building layout plans)
• Energy Efficiency Design Summary (applicable to additions and detached structures)

Guide to Apply for an ARU

Accessory buildings, such as garages and sheds, over 15m2 require a building permit. Required documents to be uploaded to Cloudpermit include:

• Site plan showing the proposed location of the accessory building
•  Construction drawing
• Cross section
• Floor plan section

Guide to applying for an accessory building

A building permit is required if your deck meets any of the following:

• The deck floor is 2 feet (0.6 m) or more above finished grade at any point within 1.2 metres of the deck;
• The deck is covered or enclosed; or
• The deck is attached to a structure, such as a house or garage.

Required Documents (to upload to Cloudpermit):

• Site Plan showing the deck location, property line setbacks, and septic system (if applicable)
• Construction Plans with details for footings, framing, posts, beams, rafters, floor joists, guards, and overall building height

Guide to apply for a deck permit

A building permit is required for any new Industrial, Commercial, or Institutional (ICI) building or addition in the Town of Saugeen Shores. Additional documents may be required based on the project type and specific circumstances.

Important: All new ICI buildings are subject to Site Plan Control under the Planning Act. A Site Plan Agreement must be approved before submitting a building permit application.

Required Documents (to upload to Cloudpermit):

• Site Plan
• Grading and Site Servicing Plans
• Architectural Drawings
• Engineered Mechanical Drawings
• Structural Drawings
• Commitment to General Review (if required under the Ontario Building Code)
  

Required documents to be uploaded to Cloudpermit include:

Architectural Drawings shall include:

• All room and space dimensions
• Clearly identify the use of all rooms and spaces. Example: staff washroom, eating area, storage area
• Existing and proposed construction
• Location of all plumbing fixtures
• Details on all existing and proposed fire-rated assemblies and demising walls
• Reflected ceiling plans and associated details
• Wall sections and details.
• Stair sections, plan and details.
• Door, window and room finish schedules

Structural Drawings shall include:

Design information including design criteria, construction details and specifications for all structural modifications.

Building permits are required for new and expanding livestock buildings and manure storage. Required documents include:

• Schedule 1: Designer Information Form     
• Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formula
• Letter of approval from OMAFRA, which includes a Nutrient Management Strategy
• Site Plan including location of proposed building, including setbacks to property lines, wells, septic systems, buildings and natural areas
• Construction drawings (designed by professional engineer for buildings greater than 600 square metres and all manure storage require Engineer’s Commitment to Review)
• Clearance from the Conservation Authority if you plan to build in a regulated area