Building and Renovating

The Municipality of Huron East makes it easy to get a Building Permit! 

You must apply for a Building Permit before you:

• construct any new building or structure over 10m² in area or place another structure, such as a mobile home, on your property
• make repairs, renovate, add to or demolish an existing building
• install a swimming pool
• build a deck
• erect a sign  
• alter most buildings or structures on your property 

Click here for a full list of projects that do and do not require a permit. 

How do I apply for a Building Permit?

1. Fill out an Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish 
2. Include site and construction plans with your completed application form 
3. Submit your completed application to the Huron East Building Department

All applications are reviewed for compliance with the Ontario Building Code and Zoning By-Law requirements. 

If you plan to work in a Heritage district, building or property, please contact the Building Department for guidelines on the application and approval process.

The Building Permit must be displayed in a prominent location on the construction site, and approved plans must be kept on the site at all times.

Call before you Dig!

Request a locate through Ontario One Call a minimum of 5 days before you dig to locate underground infrastructure on your property. Ontario One Call distributes locate requests to utilities with infrastructure in the area. When locates are complete, you will receive notice through an email with the results.  

Property Lines

If you are putting up a fence, building a structure, or having a dispute with your neighbour, you need to know where your property lines are located.  Only an Ontario Land Surveyor can provide you with a survey of your property.  The Municipality does not keep Land Surveys on file.

To find an Ontario Land Surveyor, visit the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors.

Installing a Fence?

Considerations when installing a fence:

• A privacy fence shall mean a solid and continuous fence constructed of suitable material to a height of not less than 1.5 meters (5.0 feet) so as to provide a year-round visual barrier.

• If it's on the property line, you should get the consent of your neighbour first and know exactly where your property line is (a survey will tell you this, or you can try to find the survey stakes in the ground).

• Always get Locates for utilities before digging by calling Ontario One Call 1-800-400-2255.

• Your neighbour does not have to give you access from their property to maintain the other side of the fence, so sometimes it's best to keep the fence on your side of the property line

• As a courtesy, the side of the fence facing your neighbour should not be less attractive than the side facing you

• Towards the front of your lot, you must ensure that the location, height or material of the fence does not obstruct the view of anyone entering or exiting driveways

• The fence must not be on municipal property, so you need to know where the property survey stakes/bars/pins are at the front of your property

• If you live on a corner, again you need to know where your property lines are as you cannot build within the site triangle (7.5 metres from the corner of the lot, in either direction, and creating a triangle by joining those two lines) any fence that is greater than 0.75 metres in height, that will obstruct the vision of drivers.

Building Inspections

The Huron East Chief Building Official must inspect each major phase of a construction project to ensure work follows the approved plans. Two working days notice is required for inspections. 

Plumbing and Septic Permits

The Building Department issues permits and conducts inspections when you: 

• install a new septic system
• make alterations to existing systems
• failed septic systems

Visit our Plumbing and Septic Approvals page for more information.

Wellhead Protection

If your building proposal is located anywhere within wellhead protection area A, B or C your must complete a Restricted Land Use Screening Form and a Restricted Land Use Submission Form and submit it to your local Risk Management Official.  

For more information of Wellhead protection, click here or contact the Municipal Office by email or phone 519-527-0160 ext. 31.