The Nation Municipality

A Building Permit is a license which grants legal permission to start construction of a building project.  All permit applications must be approved by Todd Bayly.

Always verify with the Building Department before starting a project. Building Permits are typically required for the following:

• new buildings
• additions and renovations
• demolitions
• prefabricated structures
• mobile homes
• plumbing
• wood stoves, pools, decks, signs, etc.
• temporary buildings (tents)
• farm buildings (barns, sheds, silos…)

Permits ensure that construction within our Municipality meets with standards set out in the Ontario Building Code. The enforcement of standards is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

When applying for a building permit you will be required to submit certain documents with your application. These documents are essential in assisting the Building Official in properly reviewing your application for a Building Permit.

The list below is a guide to assist you in obtaining your building permit. The nature of your application will determine which of the listed documents are required by the municipality. For example, documents required for a Single Family Dwelling or a garden shed will vary accordingly.

1. Complete and signed building permit application form.
2. Two complete sets of plans and specifications.
3. A detailed Site Plan.
4. A copy of the Deed of Land (Provided by applicant)
5. A sewage system permit may be required, contact the South Nation Conservation Authority (1-877-984-2948).
6. A survey plan of the property (Provided by applicant)
7. Ontario New Home Warranty Program enrollment number. (Contractor Only)
8. A Site Plan Agreement (Required for large projects only)
9. Copy of entrance Permit. (Culvert)
10. Letter of Authorization from the Ministry of Natural Resources or the South Nation River Conservation Authority (1-877-984-2948), as required, contact the Planning Department.

Plans shall be drawn to scale, be legible, and indicate the nature and extent of the work or proposed occupancy in sufficient detail to establish that the completed work will conform to the Building Code and any other applicable law.

• Floor plans of all levels. (Ground, Basement, etc.)
• Elevations of all facades. (Front, Rear, Right, Left.)
• Cross section
• Wall section
• Specifications of Construction
• Specific construction details as required
• Engineers’ approval may be required.

A location plan is essentially a graphic representation of the property showing the location of the proposed construction in relation with the property lines. For further assistance on preparing your location plan, please contact the Municipal Planner. (Guylain Lafleche extension 229)

1. Submit Application. Other documents may also be required for your project. ie: deed of land, permit from the South Nation Conservation Authority, plan of survey, construction plans etc.
2. Wait. The review process may take a few days or weeks depending on the project and on the workload.
3. Receive results of review. If the project is in compliance with building and zoning regulations, a Permit will be issued. If denied, you can always make the proper revisions to the application and resubmit.
4. Receive Permit. Once the fees are paid, construction can begin according to revised plans.
5. Call for inspections. Each building project has to be inspected at different stages. The required inspections will be indicated on your Building Permit.

*Some projects may require the visit of a representative from the Building and Planning Department

The Permit fee is based on the size of the construction project. Additional fees may include development charges, service connection charges, performance deposits and/or others.

Fixed Fees: 

Please find below Class of Permit, Base Fee and Additional Cost.

1- Residential Dwellings Units

• $ 1,325.00 up to 1,200 sq/ft in Gross Building Area (Per Dwelling Unit)
• $ 0.88 per sq/ft after the first 1,200 sq/ft

2- Residential Dwellings moved from elsewhere & Mobile Homes

• $ 550.00 up to 1,000 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.55 per sq/ft after the first 1,000 sq/ft

3- Residential Additions and Major Alterations

• $ 330.00 up to 300 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.88 per sq/ft after the first 300 sq/ft

4- Residential Garage and Carports

• $ 165.00 up to 300 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.55 per sq/ft after the first 300 sq/ft

4.1- Accessory Buildings, Decks and Minor Alterations

• $ 165.00 up to 300 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.55 per sq/ft after the first 300 sq/ft

5- Institutional, Commercial and Assembly Buildings

• $ 1,200.00 up to 1,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 1.10 per sq/ft after the first 1,500 sq/ft

6- Industrial Buildings

• $ 1,650.00 up to 2,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 1.35 per sq/ft after the first 2,500 sq/ft

7- Commercial Warehouse and Accessory Building

• $ 1,125.00 up to 1,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.35 per sq/ft after the first 1,500 sq/ft

8- Additions and Major Alterations (Other than Residential Buildings)

• $ 825.00 up to 2,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.65 per sq/ft after the first 2,500 sq/ft

9- Farms Buildings

• $ 775.00 up to 2,000 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.30 per sq/ft between 2,001 – 20,000 sq/ft
• $ 0.45 per sq/ft between 20,001 – 30,000 sq/ft
• $ 0.60 per sq/ft over 30,001 sq/ft

10- Accessory Farm Buildings (Other than those listed below)

• $ 500.00 up to 1,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.22 per sq/ft after the first 1,500 sq/ft

11- Fabric Covered Structures

• $ 275.00 up to 1,000 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.17 per sq/ft after the first 1,000 sq/ft

12- Greenhouses

• $ 165.00 up to 1,500 sq/ft in Gross Building Area
• $ 0.12 per sq/ft after the first 1,500 sq/ft

13- Lagoons

• $ 500.00 per structures

13.1- Silos

• $ 150.00 per structures

14- Plumbing

• $ 55.00 up to 5 fixtures
• $ 11.00 per fixture over five

15- Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

• $ 115.00

16- Designated Structures, except solar panel: Residential Use

• $ 125.00 per structure

16.1- Designated Structures, except solar panel: Non-Residential Use

• $ 1,250.00 per structure

16.2- Designated Structures, solar panel: Residential Use

• $ 250.00 per structure

16.3- Designated Structures, solar panel: Non-Residential Use

• $ 1,000.00 per structure

17-  Demolition Permit

• $ 100.00

18- Temporary Permit

• $ 150.00 per six (6) months

18.1- Special Events Permits (Tents)

• $ 50.00

19- Change of Use Permit

• $ 250.00

20- Transfer of Permit (Under Section 11.3)

• $ 100.00

21-Renewal of Permit (Under Section 10)

• $ 100.00

22- Conditional Permit Agreement

• $ 100.00

Cost of the full permit according to class

23- Pools

• $ 100.00

24- Wood Stove

• $ 115.00

*Please note that a service fee may be applicable for municipal water and sewer connections. Please contact Nicole Paquette for more information.

A performance deposit or “bond” is charged for each permit issued. The amount of that deposit is based on the value of the building project. The full amount of the deposit is refunded if the project is completed within 1 year of the date the permit was issued. After that period, and without any further notice, an amount equal to 25% of the original deposit is retained for administrative purposes each year thereafter. To avoid frustration and delays, please call for all inspections. Please note that if the owner or agent abandons their project prior to the issuance of the building permit the administration performance deposit shall be retained in full by the municipality.

Development Charges means a fee imposed with respect to growth-related net capital costs against land. Under the new Development Charges Act, 1997, municipalities must undertake a background study. The Nation Municipality completed a background study (dated May, 2015), and passed development charge By-law No. 93-2015.

The purpose of a development charge is to generate adequate revenue to finance growth-related net capital costs for municipal services required because of growth. In essence, the development charge is designed to maintain the same average level of service offered to existing residents of the municipality. One might say it is similar to buying a corporate share (investment) in the municipality.

Forty additional dwellings are built in the municipality and there arises the need for an additional volunteer firefighter. The development charge reserve fund could be used to fund the purchase of a bunker suit and communications equipment for that individual. The need for an additional volunteer firefighter emerged from growth and now is charged back to growth through development charges.

Development charges may not be used for salaries, maintenance costs, operational costs, or replacement equipment and furniture.

Development charges are imposed on all forms of development, with certain exceptions. The charges do not apply to accessory uses to residential uses including a garage, storage building, garden shed, swimming pool, small additions, or other similar uses.

Generally, development charges are only applied against new dwelling units or new non-residential buildings. The non-residential charge is pro-rated to account for economies of scale.

Non-residential development charges are prorated to reflect economies of scale.

A development charge must be paid on the date a building permit is issued for a building or structure on land to which a development charge applies. The municipality is not required to issue a building permit unless the development charge has been paid. An agreement can be entered into for early or late payment of the charges in accordance with the legislation.

The public may view the annual treasurer’s development charge reserve fund statement at the Municipal Office during regular business hours. The purpose of this mandatory statement is to provide details on the reserves, amounts collected and expenditures from each service category.

Municipal Services Included in the Development Charge By- law

• Administrative (Studies)
• Public works (Contents, vehicles)
• Transportation (Streetlights)
• Fire Protection (Station, contents, vehicles)
• Recreation Services
• Library Services