Building permits

Use the Development and Business Portal (E-Portal) to submit permit applications and CAD drawings online for new single detached, semi-detached and row housing.

Inspection information will be provided once the permit is issued.

Permit applications for industrial, commercial, institutional and large residential building types can be submitted in digital format only by emailing building@london.ca.

Upon receipt of application, the applicant will be contacted with instructions relating to payment and uploading of drawings and additional documents. 

For new residential (single/semi/townhouses) erects, inspectors, at their discretion, may call the site contact number to indicate an approximate time of arrival.  At the inspector’s discretion, the site contact will be advised to ensure that ALL persons in the building (including attached garages) are to vacate.  Upon arrival at the site, prior to entering the building, the inspector will be expecting to find the building completely vacant.  Three phone call attempts will be made within a 15-minute timeframe.   Failure to make contact will result in the inspector attending and advising that the building be vacated.   The site contact will be advised by the inspector that for subsequent inspections, it is expected that they monitor their phone and answer the inspector’s incoming call to ensure the building is vacated prior to the inspection.  

For inspections where no site contact is available:  

For new residential (single/semi/townhouses) erects, at the inspector’s discretion he/she will arrive and announce their arrival so that the building can be vacated. The inspector will return to his/her vehicle and allow 10 minutes for the building to be vacated.   If, after 10 minutes, there is evidence that the building has not been vacated, the inspector will leave without conducting the inspection and enter a ‘Not Ready-Fee’ attempt result.

Please note that any talkback or complaints to the inspector about the inspection protocols in place, would qualify as ‘interfering with the work of an inspector’ and will be deemed as a reason for the inspector to leave the site and have the inspection attempt result listed as ‘Not ready fee’.      

Anyone that may want to speak to the inspectors on site is requested to adhere to a 2-metre safe distance limit. Should the inspectors determine that this is not followed, on a discretionary basis, they will leave the premises.

If you have requested an inspection under a building permit for alteration work and have not provided us with a site contact phone number, please reply to epermits@london.ca and provide it so your inspection date is not compromised. This allows the inspector to be able to call on the date of the inspection.

Please note: 

• It is your responsibility to ensure the inspector is able to successfully connect with the person assigned this number in order that the inspection be carried out.
• If the inspector calls, and there is no answer, he/she will attempt to knock on the front door.   If no one answers, the inspector will leave and record the inspection(s) as ‘“Inspection cancelled by City”. You will then be required to rebook the inspection(s).
• As a result of the above, when the inspector attends for the second time, he/she will attempt contact by phone only.
• If upon inspection, the inspector finds that the work is not ready or previously identified deficiencies have not been rectified, the inspection will be deemed as “Not ready” and you will need to remit the associated fee. The fees are indexed annually effective March 1.

The following site restrictions may be applicable, at the inspector’s discretion:

1. At all times during the on-site physical inspection, and after the inspector has confirmed arrival, all other tradespersons are to vacate the area under renovation.  Only upon confirmation of this, will the inspector enter.
2. Anyone wishing to speak to the inspector must do so at a minimum distance of 2 metres.
3. When the inspector arrives, he/she will call the number given previously and confirm that, if for any reason, occupants (not tradespersons) must remain in the dwelling, the permit holder/homeowner shall provide confirmation via text message (must include the address) to the inspector, prior to the inspection, that all occupants have answered ‘No’ to all of the following COVID-19 Health Assessment questions:

Inspections are available for unoccupied accessory structures (sheds, carports, pool cabanas, both attached and detached garages, decks, etc.).

For select inspection types, platforms such as FaceTime and WhatsApp are available. Please contact your inspector for more information.

The following protocol must be adhered to for partial occupancy inspections:

1. Contact will need to be made by the site supervisor (site super) to the inspector prior to attendance.
2. A mutually agreed-upon location on site is to be arranged for the inspector and the site super to meet, if there is no job site trailer available.
3. The site super is to ensure the path of travel to the inspection area will be such that the 2 metre physical distance requirement from the inspector, is adhered to at all times.
4. The site super is to ensure that any elevator usage is restricted to the inspector and the site super only.
5. All tradespersons are to maintain the physical distance requirement from the inspector at all times while he/she is there.

The inspector may not commence or terminate the inspection at any time, if the above protocol has not been complied with.  The permit holder will receive a “Inspection Cancelled by City” notice via email and will need to re-book the partial occupancy inspection.

New business licence applications are being accepted digitally by emailing licensing@london.ca. Applications will be reviewed for zoning compliance. New applications for food premises will have their application fee deferred three months from the date of the issuance of the licence.

Purpose:

The Code of Conduct for Building Officials (the “Code”) is enacted in accordance with section 7.1 of the Building Code Act, 1992, as amended (the “Act”). The purpose of the Code is as follows:

1. To promote appropriate standards of behaviour and enforcement actions by the Chief Building Official (the “CBO”) and Inspectors in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty under the Act or the building code
2. To prevent practices which may constitute an abuse of power, including unethical or illegal practices, by the CBO and Inspectors in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty under the Act or the building code
3. To promote appropriate standards of honesty and integrity in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty under the Act or the building code by the CBO and Inspectors.

Application:

The Code applies to the City of London’s (the “Corporation”) Chief Building Official and Inspectors and is in addition to the provisions of the Corporation’s Code of Conduct For Employees Policy and the Workplace Harassment/Discrimination Prevention Policy and Complaint Procedure.

Expected standards of behaviour and performance of duties:

The expected standards of behaviour and performance of duties for the CBO and Inspectors are as follows:

1. Promote the safety of buildings with reference to public health, fire protection, structural sufficiency, conservation and environmental integrity, and barrier free accessibility.
2. Apply the Act and the building code impartially, without influence, and in accordance with all applicable legislation.
3. Perform their duties within their respective area of qualification obtained under the Act.
4. Perform duties with due diligence, honesty and integrity.
5. Extend professional courtesy to all.
6. Keep up-to-date on current building practices through continuous education.
7. Manage confidential and sensitive information in accordance with all relevant legislation and the Corporation’s guidelines and policies.

Allegations of breaches of the Code

Contraventions of the Code are a serious matter to the Corporation and will be dealt with as such. The CBO will review all allegations made against Inspectors. Allegations made against the CBO will be reviewed by the Corporation’s Corporate Management Team.

Upon review of the allegations, either the CBO (in the case of complaints against Inspectors) or the Corporate Management Team (in the case of complaints against the CBO) may determine an appropriate informal course of action which will effectively resolve the complaint.

If a complaint is not resolved informally or if an informal resolution is not appropriate, the CBO or the Corporate Management Team, as the case may be, will follow the formal complaint procedure guidelines enumerated in the Corporation’s Code of Conduct For Employees Policy it being noted that all references to “supervisor”, “designate”, “Human Resources”, or “Human Resources representative” in the formal complaint procedure guidelines shall be replaced by the “CBO” (in the case of complaints against Inspectors) and the “Corporate Management Team” (in the case of complaints against the CBO.) These formal complaint procedure guidelines shall be followed with respect to the investigation of the complaint, the making of findings, and the communication of those findings to the complainant and the respondent.

Corrective action and/or disciplinary action

If a complaint is substantiated, the CBO (with respect to complaints against Inspectors) or the Corporate Management Team (with respect to complaints against the CBO) will determine the corrective action and/or disciplinary action arising from the contravention of the Code. Corrective action and/or disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, the following:

a) an apology

b) counselling

c) education/training

d) warning

e) suspension/leave without pay

f) demotion

g) transfer

h) termination of employment

Minimum permit fee

Construction

Alterations, renovations and repairs

Demolition 

Designated structures (OBC Div. A-1.3.1.1)

Stand alone and miscellaneous work

Stand alone mechanical work (HVAC & Plumbing)

More than one fee category may apply per building/work proposed.

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Plumbing and drainage systems-Fixtures-Equipment-Systems

Administrative fees 

Miscellaneous - Charges

For classes of permits not described or included in this schedule, a reasonable permit fee shall be determined by the Chief Building Official.

Refunds

Fee to be deducted from all refunds, for each field inspection that has been conducted after the permit has been issued - $189.29

1.   Cheque

2.  Credit card - Permit fees under $1,000.00 can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) in the office or by phone at 519-661-4555.

3.  Hub options - Debit, credit or cheque can also be submitted to our office, Building Hub located on the first floor of City Hall during regular business hours.

4. Online banking

Please complete the Request for Online Banking Approval form and submit to building@london.ca to be approved.

• Document

  Request for Online Banking Approval for Building