Do I need a building permit? What does it cost?
In the Township of Essa, Ontario, building permit rules are set by Building Department Fees and Charges By-law 2026-15, Schedule A and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-09-25. Permit required for: Construct, alter, renovate, demolish, remove, relocate a building; construct, repair, renew or alter plumbing or septic systems; occupy or use a building. Permit fees: Minimum Permit Fee $150; per sq ft rates by occupancy; flat rates; hourly rates. Fees set in: Township's Schedule of Fees By-Law.
| fee basis | Minimum Permit Fee $150; per sq ft rates by occupancy; flat rates; hourly rates. | Schedule "A" |
| fine range | Permit Fee x 2 | s. 14.1 |
Stand-alone Building Department fee schedule (by-law 2026-15): permit fees by use group and square footage, minimum permit fee, tents/temporary structures, deposits – the schedule referenced by By-law 2021-44 for fee amounts.
| permit required for | Construct, alter, renovate, demolish, remove, relocate a building; construct, repair, renew or alter plumbing or septic systems; occupy or use a building | s. 3.1.1 |
| fee basis | May be based on floor area or valuation of cost of proposed work | s. 9.3; s. 9.4 |
| fees location | Township's Schedule of Fees By-Law | s. 9.1 |
| authority | Chief Building Official and Inspector | s. 1.2.9; s. 1.2.14; s. 11.1 |
Repeals and replaces By-law 2010-53; Essa's Building Code Act, 1992 administration by-law covering construction/demolition/sewage-system/change-of-use permits, inspections and refunds; fees set by the Township's separate Building Department fee by-law.