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Regulatory Services Division
Building Section
What Is A Building Permit?
A building permit grants legal permission to start construction of a building project.
How Does A Building Permit Help Me?
A permit ensures that the construction meets the minimum standards set out in the Ontario Building Code (O.B.C.) If the work does not comply with the Code, the value of your investment could be reduced. By having trained professionals review proposed plans and inspect construction; building permits provide a means for ensuring buildings are safe with respect to public health, fire protection and structural sufficiency.
Who Issues Building Permits?
Building permits are issued by the Planning and Regulatory Services Department - Building Services Section located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. If you have any questions, please contact the Building Services Section at (905) 771-8810.
When Do I Need a Building Permit?
A building permit is required to do the following work:
- construct a new building, including temporary and farm buildings;
- renovate a building;
- construct an addition to a building, including sunrooms;
- build a deck;
- alter the interior of a building, including finishing a basement;
- move a building;
- demolish a building;
- change the use or occupancy of a building;
- build a fireplace, install a woodstove or install a chimney;
- alter or remodel a plumbing system;
- install a sprinkler system;
- install a fire alarm system; and/or
- construct a retaining wall.
When Do I Not Need a Building Permit?
A building permit is not required to do the following work:
- construct a detached accessory building that is 10 m2 (108 sq. ft.) in area or less;
- painting and decorating;
- kitchen or bathroom cupboards;
- landscaping;
- roof shingling (except clay tile roof);
- eavestroughing;
- damp-proofing a basement; and/or
- minor repairs to bricks or blocks, etc.
How Do I Apply For a Building Permit?
Applications for permits must be made in person at the Town's main Municipal Offices. The applicant must be the owner of a building or property or a person authorized in writing by the owner to apply for a permit on the owner's behalf. Every application must be accompanied by prescribed plans and specifications and the applicable permit fee payable to the Town of Richmond Hill.
Who Will Review Permit Plans?
Permit plans will be reviewed by Building Services staff for compliance with the Zoning By-law, Ontario Building Code and other related standards and by-laws. Staff of the Environment & Infrastructure Services Department will review the proposal with respect to grading, drainage, vehicle access and road design. The Richmond Hill Fire Prevention Bureau will examine the plans for compliance with the fire safety provisions contained in the Ontario Building Code, the Ontario Fire Code (where applicable) and related standards.
Where Can I Find Information on Permit Checklists and Permit Fees?
For detailed information on Permit Checklists, which will outline what you need to have a complete application, and the associated fees, please visit or contact the Building Services Section at (905) 771-8810.
How Can I Get More Information?
If you have any questions, please contact the Building Services Section located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Road at (905) 771-8810.
By-law Section
What Does the By-law Section Do?
The By-law Section is responsible for investigating by-law violation complaints (zoning and property standards), inspections related to sign permits and sign complaints, licensing, parking enforcement and weed control.
Where Can I View a list of the Most Requested Bylaws?
The Town's most requested by-laws can be found at www.richmondhill.ca/bylaws.
Where Can I Get Specific Bylaw Information?
Copies of specific by-laws can be accessed via the Municipal Code on the Municipal World Website.
Where Can I Get Information on Dog Licensing and Pet Ownership?
For information on Dog Licensing and Pet Ownership, please visit www.richmondhill.ca/doglicensing.
In addition, you may wish to visit the Town of Richmond Hill Municipal Code and scroll down to the section entitled 'Animal' (Chapters 304, 306, 309, 310, 314, 319 & 321 of the Municipal Code).
How Can I Pay for My Parking Ticket?
Staff of the Parking Control Section enforce the parking by-law provisions on public and private property including fire routes and disabled parking spaces. For additional information, including how you can pay your parking fine, please visit www.richmondhill.ca/parking.
How Can I Get More Information?
If you have any questions, please contact the By-law and Licensing Section (located in the Town's main Municipal Offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Road, 3rd floor) at (905) 771-0198. You may also wish to visit the By-law and Licensing page at www.richmondhill.ca/bylaws.
Planning Division
Policy & Development Sections
What Does the Development Section Do?
The Development section includes the review and processing of Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, plans of subdivision, site plan and condominium applications as well as recommendations regarding consents or lot severances and minor variances. Part of the processing of such applications includes public notice and background preparation for public meetings conducted by Council.
Where Can I Access Development Applications?
Currently, the Site Plan Application Form and Guide are available at www.richmondhill.ca/developmentapplications and can also be picked up at the Planning and Development Department. Other applications are also available at the Planning and Development Department located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. Separate application forms for each application type are available, outlining detailed submission requirements and applicable fees.
What Do I Have To Do to Submit an Application?
All applicants are required to meet with Town staff prior to the formal submission of Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision, Draft Plan of Condominium and Site Plan/Site Plan Amendment applications. To arrange a Pre-Submission Meeting, please contact the Planning and Regulatory Services Department via email at planning@richmondhill.ca.
Can I Get a Copy of the Official Plan Online?
The Town’s Official Plan is not available online. To purchase a copy of the current Official Plan, please visit the Planning & Regulatory Services Department located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Road.
Where Can I Get Information on the Official Plan?
For detailed information on the Town’s current Official Plan and the Official Plan process, please visit www.richmondhill.ca/officialplan or e-mail officialplan@richmondhill.ca.
What Types of Studies Are Being Undertaken to Inform the Official Plan?
In order to develop the new Official Plan, a number of background studies and discussion papers are underway and will form the basis for this new land use policy document. Additional information is available at www.richmondhill.ca/opstudies.
How Do I Obtain Planning Information?
Information on development applications and building related matters is available from the Town's Planning & Regulatory Services Department located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. For telephone inquiries, please contact (905) 771-8910. Where possible, reference should be made to the applicable file numbers to assist staff in responding to inquiries. For information on application requirements, application forms are available from the Planning & Regulatory Services Department.
What Are the Planning and Development Division’s Office Hours?
Office hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Committee of Adjustment Section
Where Can I Get a Severance (Consent) or Minor Variance Application?
The Severance (Consent) and Minor Variance applications are available online in the Committee of Adjustment section. You may also wish to visit the Committee of Adjustment at the Town's Planning & Regulatory Services Department located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road. For telephone inquiries, please call (905) 771-8820.
How Do I Contact the Committee of Adjustment?
The Committee of Adjustment may be contacted by phone at (905) 771-8820, fax at (905) 771-2404 or via e-mail at committeeofadjustment@richmondhill.ca. You may also wish to visit the Committee of Adjustment at the Town's Planning & Regulatory Services Department located on the 4th floor of the Town's main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road.
Where Can I Get Information on the Committee of Adjustment?
For information on the Town’s Committee of Adjustment, please visit the Committee of Adjustment section.
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