Applying for a Building Permit

City of St. Catharines Building Permit Application Portal currently accepts the following submissions:

• Building a new house, semi-detached house, townhouse, apartment building or hotel
• Residential alteration permits (additions, renovations, adding a secondary suite)
• Demolition of any existing residential building
• Demolition of non-residential structures
• Building a shed, detached deck, detached garage, pergola on a residential property
• Non-residential decks and accessory structures
• Installing a pool on a residential property
• Building a place of worship, restaurant, school
• Building an office, barber/hair salon
• Building manufacturing, self-storage, service station and warehousing
• Building a hospital, nursing home, residential care facility
• Building a store
• Plumbing only permits
• Miscellaneous construction projects such as retaining walls and other designated structures
• Temporary structures (air-supported structures, storage containers and tents)
• Building a greenhouse, barn and agricultural related structures

Applications can be filled out by an individual person or an organization.

See the Building Permit Application Portal user guide for assistance in filling out your application. All other building permit applications can be submitted by mail or courier, James Street drop box or in person.

In addition, we have developed some videos to assist you with some of the tasks required as you navigate through the application process.

For more information contact building@stcatharines.ca or 905.688.5600 ext 1660.

Apply Online

If applying by mail, complete the Building Permit Application and submit it along with the two sets of complete construction drawings. For commercial projects, you'll need to include three sets of complete drawings that are signed and sealed by a professional or qualified designer.

Please mail or courier your completed building permit application to the following address:

Planning and Building Services
City of St. Catharines
50 Church St
PO Box 3012
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2

If applying by drop box, complete the Building Permit Application and submit it along with the two sets of complete construction drawings. For commercial projects, you'll need to include three sets of complete drawings that are signed and sealed by a professional or qualified designer.

The drop box is located at City Hall at the James Street entrance. You can submit your building permit application to the drop box at any time.

Please note that the drop box is limited to packages that can fit in the mail slot (7 inches by 1.25 inches).

If applying in person, please complete the Building Permit Application and submit it along with the two sets of complete construction drawings. For commercial projects, you'll need to include three sets of complete drawings that are signed and sealed by a professional or qualified designer.

You can attend City Hall during office hours to submit your building permit application or you may also book an appointment to attend in person.

Agent Authorization Form

Owner's Commitment to General Review Form

Electrical Utilities Waiver Form

Radon Mitigation Form

Demolition Permit Application Form

Utility Clearance for Demolition Form

Fence Variance Application Form

Sign Variance Application Form