Building By-law No. 2005-303

Municipal By-laws

Development Charges

Ontario’s Building Regulatory System

2006 Building Code

Ontario's building regulatory system has undergone significant changes. Whether you are proposing to build a new office building, renovate a store, or plan to construct an addition to your own home, this new legislation will affect you.

Ontario’s new Building Code has been approved with the filing of Ontario Regulation 350/06 (2006 OBC) and replaces the previous building code regulation released in 1997. Totally reformatted, the new Code includes many new provisions and over 700 technical changes in the minimum standards for building construction across Ontario.

While most of the requirements of the new Code came into force on December 31, 2006, there were also transitional provisions with respect to permits issued before December 31, 2006, or where working drawings, plans and specifications were substantially completed before December 31, 2006. (Further Code changes relating to full height basement insulation will be phased in by December 31, 2008.)

To view an on-line version of the Ontario Building Code, please visit the e-Laws website.

You can obtain a copy of the Code:

In person:

By Phone:
416-326-5300
416-325-3408 (TTY)
Toll free in Canada: 1-800-668-9938
Toll free in Ontario: 1-800-268-7095 (TTY)

By Fax:
416-325-3407

Online: http://www.publications.gov.on.ca/

Designer Qualifications

The Ontario Building Code Act requires designers of certain construction projects to be pre-qualified in the knowledge of the Ontario Building Code by writing and passing technical exams. Designer qualifications vary based on the scope and nature of the design activity undertaken; however, if you are the owner of a house, you are allowed to take responsibility for the design, preparation of the plans, and specifications, without having to be pre-qualified. This includes the construction of a new house, addition, renovation, or the construction of an accessory building, such as a garage, shed and deck.

If you are considering hiring a design consultant, you need to ensure that your design team is qualified and registered for the type of project you are proposing. Designers are required to declare their registration, qualifications, and design responsibility on the provincial Building Permit application form and on every Building Permit submission document.

Architects qualified and registered by the Ontario Association of Architects and Engineers qualified and registered by the Professional Engineers of Ontario are not required to be registered or qualified with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

As the owner of the property, you are responsible for ensuring that you have hired qualified people. For more information regarding designer qualification and exemptions, please contact the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). Designer qualifications can be viewed through the MMAH or by accessing their on-line Public Registry (QuARTS).