Building Permits

 Procedure for all Persons wanting to install a Private Dock, Boathouse, Boat Launch or other Marine Structure within the Limits of the City of Kenora

The Building By-law, (By-law No. 100-2005 ), prescribes the process for obtaining building permits and applies to all properties within the City of Kenora.

Building permits are a provincially legislated requirement to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all building users. Penalties are provided for in the Building By-law in the event that projects are started without a permit.

A building permit is required to construct a new building or structure, move in a factory-built building, to relocate an existing building, to demolish, alter or add to an existing structure and to change the use of an existing building.

Change of use includes converting a single dwelling to multiple dwelling, converting residential to commercial or institutional use, altering the type or nature of assembly, residential, commercial or industrial use, etc.

A building permit is also required to install, add to or alter a plumbing piping system or to install or alter any gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance. All construction must comply with the Ontario Building Code, the City of Kenora Zoning by-law and other applicable laws.

You must obtain a building permit and have it posted in a visible location before you or your contractor start construction or demolition. Always inquire about a permit if you are unsure and do not rely upon a contractor who says a permit is not required.

All electrical installations not installed by an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) authorized contractor must be permitted and inspected by ESA, whether or not the building is supplied with power from a utility company. Contact ESA at 1-877-372-7233.

If you are not supplied with municipal sewer and water and plan to install a piped water system from a well or surface water body such as a lake or river, a septic system permit must be obtained before a building permit can be issued. Contact the Northwestern Health Unit at 807-468-3147 or fax at 807-468-4970.

If you plan to construct, renovate or alter a building in a manner that will not comply with the Zoning By-law, you must amend your proposal to conform or apply for a Minor Variance or a Zoning Amendment.
 
Permit applications are available at either 1 Main Street South, or 60 Fourteenth St. N., 2nd Floor or download in Portable Document Format (PDF) here:

  Application for a Permit to Construct or Demilish - PDF

       Application for Permit to Construct or Demolish - Word

  List of Plans or Working Drawings - Schedule C

  Supplement for Small Buildings Under 538 Sq. Ft.

After July 1, 2005, generic provincially prescribed application forms must be used and will be available at the above locations.

The fee Schedule is available with the application forms at the above locations or can be downloaded in PDF format here:

  Permit Fees

If you need further assistance please contact Kevin Robertson, CBO, at 807-467-2022 or John Nabb, Building Inspector, at 807-467-2020 or email krobertson@kenora.ca or jnabb@kenora.ca.