The Building Permit Guy

04/02/2026

Planning to build a deck this summer?

If you wait until May… permits could delay your project by weeks.

Get ahead now with permit-ready deck drawings

✅ Fast turnaround
✅ Code-compliant (Ontario)
✅ Designed for quick approval
💰 Starting at $600

Avoid delays. Get approved. Start building on time.
www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca or email us at [email protected]

01/29/2026

Thinking about adding a basement apartment or backyard suite in Ottawa? 🏠

Before you build, make sure you understand the permit process. We’ve put together a step-by-step homeowner guide covering zoning, permits, drawings, and inspections for ADUs in Ottawa.

👉 Read the guide here:

Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) — whether it’s a basement apartment, granny suite, or detached coach house — is one of the smartest ways to boost your property’s value, create rental income, or support multigenerational living in Ottawa. But before you start construction, there’s o...

10/02/2025

Thinking about renting out your basement?

In Ontario, you can’t just throw up some drywall and call it a suite. To be legal, a basement apartment has to pass a 12-point Ontario Building Code checklist — covering everything from ceiling heights and egress windows to fire separations, smoke alarms, and soundproofing.

Miss a requirement, and you could face double permit fees, costly revisions, or even removal orders.

We’ve broken down the entire checklist in plain language so you know exactly what inspectors look for:
👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca/post/ontario-basement-apartment-legalization-12-point-checklist

At The Building Permit Guy, we prepare permit-ready drawings that pass inspection the first time. With years of experience as a former municipal building inspector, we know exactly what your city wants to see.

📩 Email us at [email protected]
to get started today.

Turning your basement into a rental apartment can add serious value to your home — and provide a steady stream of income. But here’s the catch: in Ontario, not every finished basement qualifies as a legal secondary suite.Municipal inspectors follow a strict list of requirements from the Ontario ...

10/01/2025

Thinking about building a detached garage in Ontario?
The hidden costs might surprise you — and they’re not just about lumber and concrete.

From permit fees and surveys to drainage plans and even retroactive penalties (yes, many municipalities charge double fees if you build without a permit 😬), the real price of a garage can add up fast.

As a former municipal building inspector, I’ve seen it all — and that’s why we created this guide to help Ontario homeowners budget smarter and avoid costly mistakes.

👉 Read the full blog here:
https://www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca/post/detached-garage-costs-ontario

The Building Permit Guy makes the permit process simple with BCIN-certified drawings and trusted engineer coordination. One stop, done right.

When most homeowners in Ontario think about building a detached garage, they focus on the obvious costs: concrete, lumber, roofing, and labour. But what often catches people off guard are the hidden costs—fees, design requirements, and municipal rules that can add thousands to the project if you.....

09/25/2025

🏠 Thinking about adding a basement apartment, garden suite, or laneway house in Toronto?

Our new guide breaks down the key rules you need to know — from ceiling heights and daylighting to fire access and lot grading.

👉 Read the full blog:

Toronto homeowners are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs — and many are getting creative with their properties. One of the smartest solutions is the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Whether it’s a basement apartment, a garden suite, or a laneway house, ADUs add space, generate rental in...

09/23/2025

What is a site plan — and why do you need one?

If you’re applying for a building permit in Ontario, chances are the city will ask you for a site plan. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?

Our latest blog breaks it down:
✔️ What a site plan shows
✔️ Why municipalities require one
✔️ When you’ll need it for decks, additions, garages, or ADUs

A proper site plan can mean the difference between a smooth approval and frustrating delays.

👉 Read the full guide here:
https://www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca/post/what-is-a-site-plan

If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or new build in Ontario, you’ll quickly run into a request from your city or town: “Submit a site plan.”For many homeowners, this is the first time they’ve heard the term. So what exactly is a site plan — and why is it so important for your proj...

09/22/2025

Thinking about adding a basement suite, coach house, or secondary unit to your property in London, Ontario?

The rules have changed with Ontario’s 2024 Building Code — and the process is easier than you might think. An Additional Residential Unit (ADU) can help you:
✔️ Create rental income
✔️ Add space for family
✔️ Boost property value

We’ve put together a step-by-step homeowner’s guide that explains zoning, building permits, and design requirements for ADUs in London.

👉 Read the full guide here:
https://www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca/post/adu-london-ontario-guide
As a BCIN-certified designer, The Building Permit Guy makes sure your ADU drawings are done right the first time — saving you time, money, and headaches.

📞 Ready to start your project? Contact us today and let’s get your ADU approved.

If you live in London, Ontario, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Additional Residential Units (ARUs) — also called ADUs, secondary suites, or basement apartments. With housing demand rising and updates to Ontario’s 2024 Building Code, adding an ADU has become one of the most practical way...

09/07/2025

Thinking about creating a basement apartment in Kitchener?
Also known as secondary suites, these units are a great way to add rental income or living space for family.

But here’s the catch: you need a building permit — and that means BCIN-certified drawings that meet Ontario Building Code standards.

✅ Learn when a permit is required
✅ What drawings the City of Kitchener expects
✅ How to avoid costly delays and rejections

👉 Read our full guide:

With housing costs on the rise in Ontario, many Kitchener homeowners are exploring basement apartments as a way to create rental income or provide space for extended family.But here’s the question most people ask: Do you need a building permit to create a basement apartment in Kitchener? The answe...

09/05/2025

Thinking about adding a backyard suite in Kitchener? 🏡
Also called garden suites or coach houses, these small detached homes are a great way to create extra living space or rental income.

But here’s the key: you need a building permit — and that means proper BCIN-certified drawings.

✅ Learn when permits are required
✅ What drawings the City of Kitchener expects
✅ How to avoid costly delays

👉 Read the full guide:

Backyard suites — also known as garden suites, coach houses, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — are becoming increasingly popular in Kitchener. These detached units can provide rental income, multi-generational living space, or a private retreat right on your property.But before you start desi...

09/03/2025

Live in Burlington and thinking of bringing your existing basement up to code?

Check this out: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HC6psTHVv/

The City’s ARU Incentive Program offers a one-time grant of up to $15,000 to bring your existing Additional Residential Unit (e.g. basement apartment) into compliance with legal standards. Get the work done under a valid building permit and increase the value of your home.

Learn more at Burlington.ca/ARUincentive or email [email protected].

08/31/2025

🚨 Homebuyers Beware in Ontario! 🚨

Imagine moving into your dream home… only to have the building department show up with an Order to Comply because past renovations were done without a permit.

That can mean double permit fees, costly tear-outs, expensive engineering reports, and even full rebuilds to meet today’s Ontario Building Code.

👉 Don’t get caught off guard. Check out our latest blog to learn:
✅ Why permits matter for safety, insurance, and resale value
✅ The hidden costs of unpermitted renovations
✅ What happens if you’re handed an Order to Comply

Read it here: https://www.thebuildingpermitguy.ca/post/unpermitted-renovations-ontario

It’s every homeowner’s worst-case scenario: there’s a knock at the door, and the building department informs you that part of your home — the finished basement, the addition, or the backyard deck — was built without a permit.Worse yet, they hand you an Order to Comply, requiring you to app...