Building and Sewage System Permits
Typically a building permit is required in the Township of Douro-Dummer for all new construction projects—whether residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural—as well as for renovations, additions, decks or porches, sewage systems, solid fuel heating systems, pools, and tents.
A building permit may not be required for an accessory building that is 14 square meters or less unless the building will be used for human habitation or if it contains plumbing. However, the structure and placement must still meet the requirements of the Township Consolidated Zoning By-law and the Ontario Building Code.
Before you start
Before starting any construction project, check the zoning of your property by visiting the Peterborough County Let Me Map page. This GIS Tool can also help you determine whether you’ll need approvals from outside agencies—such as ORCA, MTO, or others—before submitting your building permit application.
Once you know the zoning of your property, visit the Township of Douro-Dummer Consolidated Zoning By-law to review the permitted uses for your zone. This will help you determine whether your proposed project is permitted. The By-law also outlines required setbacks and other restrictions that may affect your plans.
If your project does not meet the zoning requirements and you still wish to proceed, please contact the Planning Department for assistance.
If your project does comply with all applicable zoning regulations, your next step should be to prepare a detailed Site Plan. This Site Plan will form part of your building permit application and may also be required when seeking approvals from outside agencies.
Agency approvals
Depending on the location of your property or the scope of your project, you may need to obtain approvals from external agencies before applying for a building permit. If required, these approvals must be uploaded as part of your building permit application.
Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) |
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If your property is located within an area regulated by the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, you must obtain approval for any construction that involves breaking ground. This approval may come in the form of a permit or a written confirmation (such as an email) stating that a permit is not required for your project. As per Township policy, one of these documents is required if ORCA's regulated area touches your property, even if your proposed construction appears to fall outside the boundary on the GIS mapping system. |
Trent Severn Waterways |
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A permit is required for any projects that connect to the Trent-Severn Waterways. This includes the construction or repair of docks, boathouses, and retaining walls. Permits are necessary for both new builds and repairs to existing structures. |
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry |
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Visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to apply for a permit if you're building:
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Electric Safety Authority |
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If your construction project includes electrical work, you'll need to get approval from the Electric Safety Authority. |
County or Township Entrance Permits |
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County Roads If your property is located on a County Road, you will need to contact the County of Peterborough Roads department for an entrance permit if:
Township Roads If your property is located on a Township Road, an Entrance Permit from the Township of Douro-Dummer Roads and Public Works Department is required if:
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Ministry of Transportation |
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If your project involves work within a provincial highway corridor, you must obtain a permit through the HCMS - Highway Corridor Management System. This includes work along Highway 28 and the unconstructed Peterborough Bypass, which runs parallel to Douro 9th Line. Exact corridor boundaries can be viewed using the Peterborough County Let Me Map page. |
Preparing your Permit Application
The next step is to gather all the required documents for your building permit application. A permit application cannot be reviewed until it is complete.
Below, you will find a drop-down list of common project types, each with a summary of the required documents, links to standard forms, and example materials to help guide you in preparing and submitting a complete permit application. Please be aware that these lists are only general in nature. Some projects may require additional or supporting documents depending on their complexity.
If your project type isn’t listed or you’re unsure of what is needed, please contact the Building Department Administrator for assistance.
Site Plan
All building permit applications must include a detailed Site Plan.
To help you understand what needs to be included, please refer to the Site Plan Guide, which outlines all required details and provides helpful examples.
Temporary Tents |
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Temporary tents or "event tents" require a building permit when the footprint exceeds 60 square meters. This applies to both a single tent of that size or the sum of multiple tents. All tents must be 3 meters or more away from structures and not on sewage systems. Tents must be in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code. Visit the Fire and Emergency Services webpage for more information. Ensure that you submit a Cloudpermit application at least 1 week prior to your event date as an inspection of the tent is required prior to its use. Required Tent Application Documents: *Currently there is no fee for a temporary tent permit |
Demolition Permit |
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A separate Demolition Permit is required for the removal of any structure—including a house, garage, shed, deck, or similar buildings. Do not remove a structure without first obtaining this permit, especially if you plan to rebuild. Without a proper zoning review during the application stage, there is no guarantee that you will be permitted to reconstruct what you’ve removed. Required Demolition Application Documents:
Indicate in the description of the permit whether or not the structure is being replaced. |
Sewage System Permit |
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A separate Sewage System permit is required for all new and replacement sewage systems.
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Dwelling |
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This includes: Single detached dwelling, additional dwelling unit, 3 season dwelling/cottage, and additions or renovations to dwellings, etc.
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Accessory Structures |
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This includes: Garage, agricultural storage, shed, bunkie, deck/porch, etc.
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Apply for a building permit
Permit applications are now completed online through Cloudpermit. Each permit application, including sewage system applications, requires its own separate Cloudpermit Workspace. Please ensure that all of the required documents are uploaded to the workspace.
Please be advised that Cloudpermit is not mobile phone friendly. To ensure ease of access login using a laptop or desktop computer. Below are links to online resources to help guide you through the application process.
Cloudpermit Applicant User Guide
How to create a Cloudpermit account.
How to videos for Cloudpermit including how to submit a building permit application.
If you are not able to apply for a building permit online due to accessibility reasons, please see if someone can help you submit the application. Often, contractors or designers will do this on behalf of the property owner.
Please contact the Building Department Administrator if you are unable to submit your application through Cloudpermit.
Fees & Development Charges
Fees |
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Fees vary depending on the type and scope of the project and a complete list can be found within the 2024-31 Building By-law. If you begin construction, including site preparation or excavation, before issuance of a permit, the appropriate fee is doubled as per the 2024-31 Building By-law. Except for sewage systems and specialty permits, fees are calculated based on construction value, which is the total cost for a project including materials and labour at fair market value. For 2024, the following construction project permits cost $14.50 for every $1,000 of construction value:
Agricultural building permits, for bona fide farm uses, cost 25% of the regular permit cost, so $3.63 for every $1,000 of construction value. |
Development Charges |
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A Development Charge is a fee that the Township collects when a new Primary Dwelling is constructed on a vacant property. This is invoiced separately from the permit fee invoice and will be set by the Building Official after all of the application reviews are completed, just prior to permit issuance.
You can find more information on Development Charges, including current rates, in the Planning and Development section of our website. |
Payments
After you submit a building permit application, the Administrator will review it to determine if it meets the requirements of a complete application. If it does, the Administrator will set the permit fee invoice on Cloudpermit.
You can make payments:
- in person at the Township Office: 894 South Street, Warsaw, ON K0L 3A0 (cash, debit, cheque, or *credit card)
- by mailing a cheque to: P.O. Box 92, 894 South Street, Warsaw, ON K0L 3A0 (please indicate your permit number in the memo of the cheque)
- or online by *credit card (see below)
*There is a processing fee for all credit card payments.
Online Payments
If you select this option, you'll pay using your credit card.
Please have your Cloudpermit Invoice available. You will require this information: Property Address & Owner's name, phone number, and email address; Cloudpermit application number (eg. DD-2020-0101), and payment amount as shown on your invoice.
Pay for your building permit online
Inspections
Once your building or sewage permit has been issued you will need to have the project inspected at various points throughout the construction. Please visit our separate Inspections page to learn more.
Guides, Forms & Templates
For accessibility, all of these documents are available in hard copy at the Municipal Office.
Guides
Accessory Structures Drawing Examples
Forms & Templates
Schedule 1 - Designer Information
Authorization to Act as Agent - required when the applicant is not the property owner
Energy Efficiency Design Summary (Performance)
Energy Efficiency Design Summary (Prescriptive)
Commitment to General Reviews by Architect and Engineers
Schedule 2 - Septic System Installer/ Designer Information