Building, Demolition and Construction

A structure occupying an area greater than 10m² consisting of a wall, roof and floor or any of them or a structural system serving the function thereof including all plumbing, works fixtures, and service systems appurtenant thereto

• A structure occupying an area of 10m² or less that contains plumbing, including the plumbing appurtenant thereto
• Plumbing not located in a structure
• A sewage system
• Structures designated in the Ontario Building Code

A building permit is your approval to start construction. It means that plans for any new structure, addition or renovation have been reviewed by the Building department. The Building department ensures the plans meet the Ontario Building Code, local Zoning By-Laws and other applicable laws and regulations.

A building permit is a way to regulate development in the Township of Muskoka Lakes to meet health, fire, structural and general safety standards. This is to protect individuals and the Community as a whole. It is illegal to conduct work without a permit. Conducting work without a building permit is against the Ontario Building Code Act

A building permit is required to construct or demolish a building as defined in the Building Code Act. A building permit is required to connect to the Municipal Water and Sewer Services. A Water and Sewer connection permit must first be obtained from the District of Muskoka. Include a copy of the District Connection permit with your building permit application. 

A shed is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 8 of the Building Code Act and is exempt from compliance with the Building Code, provided that the shed,

Note: an accessory structure must comply with the Ontario Building Code, the Township of Muskoka Lakes Zoning By-Law, and all other applicable law. Please contact the planning department to find out setback and lot coverage information as it relates to your property. 

The following is a list of common renovation projects that require a building permit:

• Constructing an addition to an existing building, such as:
  • second or third storey additions
  • attached garages or carports
  • “Muskoka rooms”
  • porches, decks
• Making structural or material alterations, such as:
  • adding or removing walls
  • new windows or doors where there were none before
  • enlarging or moving existing windows or doors
  • expanding an existing deck or dock
  • enclosing an existing deck or porch
  • replacing structural parts of a deck or dock
• Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following:
  • structural or material alterations
  • installing or modifying heating and/or plumbing systems
  • excavating and/or constructing foundations
  • basement underpinning
  • constructing a basement entrance
  • adding an additional unit or suite
• Demolishing or removing all or part of a building
  • Installing or reconstructing a chimney or fireplace
  • Installing a wood burning stove or fireplace
  • Replacing or repairing footing drains
  • Upgrading or repairing a sewage system
  • Installing or modifying heating and/or plumbing systems
  • Constructing or replacing a retaining wall (if the retaining wall is adjacent to public property)
  • Changing a building's use (example: residential to commercial or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is needed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit may be required.