Building Permits

You will need a building permit from the Township of Muskoka Lakes if you'd like to construct, renovate or demolish a building or cause a building to be constructed, renovated or demolished.

This applies to projects such as:

a home
commercial building
a structure
a garage

Before You Start

There are requirements you must meet depending on the project. Before you begin your home/business build or renovation, we recommended that you first:

Look into zoning and planning requirements
If you are building on a waterfront lot, site plan approval may be required

Getting Started

What is the definition of a building?

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

What is a building permit?

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.

Why do I need a building permit?

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.

When is a building permit required?

A building permit is needed when a person constructs or demolishes a building or causes a building to be constructed or demolished. The Township of Muskoka Lakes also requires a building permit to be taken out when processing an application to connect to the District Water and Sewer. A permit to connect must be taken out first from the District of Muskoka. This permit must go with your application to the Township of Muskoka Lakes, along with the needed drawings.

What type of renovations require a permit?

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 story 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.

Permits

Applicants are encouraged to review our building by-law and the building permit guide to verify that all documents being provided meet the requirements.

Some applications may require a copy of your property deed, proof of entrance approval, septic or water and sewer approval and/or payment of development fees (District and/or Township).

Building Permit - Build a Home, Structure, Garage

Fully completed building permit application

Two (2) complete sets of building drawings
Site plan drawing showing the locations of proposed and existing structures, septic systems and wells with accurate setbacks and dimensions

Fees as described in the fees and charges by-law.

Building Permit - Renovations

Fully completed building permit application

Two (2) complete sets of building drawings
Site plan drawing showing the locations of proposed and existing structures, septic systems and wells with accurate setbacks and dimensions
Fees as described in the fees and charges by-law.

Demolition Permit

Fully completed building permit application
Site plan drawing showing location of existing structures, structure to be demolished, septic systems and wells with setbacks and dimensions
Fees as described in the fees and charges by-law

Septic System Permit

A septic permit is required when you are looking to install a new septic system, change the location of an existing system, or replace an old system. To apply, please submit:

A completed septic permit application
Two (2) complete sets of drawings, including a cross section of the tile bed
Site plan drawing showing all existing and proposed structures, wells, location of septic system and test hole
Fees as described in the fees and charges by-law

Useful Resources

Energy Efficient Design Summary

All applications require an energy efficient design summary to demonstrate that the energy efficiency design of a house complies with the building code

Development Charges

District of Muskoka Development Charges do not apply if the addition to a non-residential building is 50% or less of floor area.

Township Development Charges

In accordance with By-law 2019-074, as of July 17, 2019:

Single family and Semi's - $4,445.00
Rows and other multiples - $2,447.00
Apartments (2 or more bedrooms) - $1,985.00
Apartments (Bachelor or 1 bedroom) - $1,323.00
Non-residential, per square foot of building space - $1.85

District Development Charges

View the District of Muskoka Development Charges Pamphlet.

In accordance with By-law 2019-49, as of Jnauary 1, 2020:

Rural

Single family and Semi's - $3,919.00
Low density multiples (townhouses and row housing, duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes) - $3,243.00
High density residential (buildings, suites, apartments or unit with two or more sleeping areas and hunt camps) - $2,568.00
High density residential (buildings, suites, apartments or unit with less than two sleeping areas and hunt camps) - $1,757.00
Uncategorized residential (per occupant) - $1,352.00
Nonresidential (per square foot) - $0.35

Urban

Single family and Semi's - $12.333.00
Low density multiples (townhouses and row housing, duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes) - $10,207.00
High density residential (buildings, suites, apartments or unit with two or more sleeping areas and hunt camps) - $8,081.00
High density residential (buildings, suites, apartments or unit with less than two sleeping areas and hunt camps) - $5,529.00
Uncategorized residential (per occupant) - $4,254.00
Nonresidential (per square foot) - $1.62

Septic Re-inspection Program

The Township has operated a septic re-inspection since 2000. In 2006, the province changed the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code to enable Municipalities to undertake Discretionary Sewage System Maintenance Inspections.

Goals of the Program

Evaluate septic systems to provide the owner with information regarding performance, operation and maintenance of the septic system (educational talk and material handouts).
Enforce Ontario Building Code to replace sewage systems that do not meet the operation and maintenance requirements (order to remedy an unsafe building) and assess the development on a lot compared to what the septic was approved for.
Education regarding shoreline development and ecology (pamphlets, verbal education).

Frequency

Typical re-inspection cycle /schedule is every 5 years for sensitive lakes. As the Township works closely with Lake Associations, cycles/schedules can be modified based on request.