Building and Planning

Welcome to the Building and Planning Department at the Town of Grimsby.

To send a general inquiry to the Building Department, please contact: (905) 309-2022.

To send a general inquiry to the Planning Department, please contact: planning@grimsby.ca

Building Applications

The Town's Building Department issues permits for the construction, renovation, demolition, and certain changes of use of buildings as well as property reports. These materials are available in an alternate format, upon request.

Building permits

Building permits protect the interests of individuals and the community. By reviewing and approving building plans before you start, we can ensure buildings comply with:

The Ontario Building Code, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation
The local zoning by-law and other planning controls on property use

Process

Before we issue permits, it is sometimes necessary to obtain the approvals of other agencies or other levels of government depending on the type of project or project location. Contact the Building Department at 905-309-2022 early in the planning of a project to find out if other approvals may be required.

Permits are required for most construction activities, including:

Decks greater than 600 mm (23 5/8") above grade,
Sheds greater than 10 square meters (108 sq ft),
Site alteration
Swimming pools

Fees

You must pay the building permit fee when you apply for a permit. A permit must be obtained and fees paid prior to any action approved by the permit. Any action that is started before obtaining a permit may be subject to a Stop Work Order being issued and a fee for non-compliance.

Contact us for more information

For more information please contact Building Services or call 905-309-2022.

Planning Approvals

Official Plan and Zoning By-law

The Town's Official Plan sets out the Town's general policies for future land use. The Town's Zoning By-law puts the Official Plan into effect and provides for its day-to-day administration.

Making a Planning Application

For more information on how to make a planning application (official plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment, site plan, draft plan of subdivision/condominium), visit the planning application page.

For all planning applications, it is highly reccomended that you consult with a member of the Planning Department prior to finalizing your application.

Further, please note that a formal pre-consultation meeting is required prior to the acceptance of an application for official plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment, draft plan of subdivision or condominium, site plan control, and occasionally at the discretion of staff, consent and minor variance applications.

Information on making a minor variance or consent application can be obtained by visiting the minor variance and lot creation pages.

Current Planning Applications

Throughout the Town, there are many applications for Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision and/or Draft Plan of Condominium currently in process. For more information about these applications, visit the current planning applications page.

Planning Studies

The Planning Department also undertakes a variety land use related studies on behalf of the Town. To learn more about current and past planning initiatives, visit the planning studies page.