Building Permit Drawings

To ensure the smooth processing of your building permit application with the City of Kenora, you need to include detailed drawings. All projects require a minimum submission of a site plan and drawing. Reviewing the sample drawings will help to ensure that you provide all the necessary information for your building permit.

What drawings do I need?

A complete application for a building permit must be accompanied by the following information:

A site plan
Architectural and structural drawings (see required drawings chart below)
Northwestern Health Unit sewage permit (when applicable)
Ministry of Transportation land use permit (when applicable)
Regional entrance permit (when applicable)
A letter of approval or work permit number from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) (when applicable)

The Required Drawings Chart below outlines the drawings required for the noted applications. If your project is not listed, contact the Building Department to determine what drawings are required.

Required drawing chart
Application type	Site plan	Foundation or basement plan	Partial floor plan	Complete floor plan	Cross section	Elevations	HVAC design
Single unit dwelling	x	x		x	x	x	x
Secondary dwelling unit	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Addition or renovation	x	x		x	x	x	x
Detached garage	x	x		x	x	x
Carport	x	x		x	x	x
Porches or decks	x	x	x		x	x
Stove or fireplaces and chimneys	x	x	x		x	x	x
Pool	x				x
Accessory building	x	x		x	x	x
Docks and shoreline structures	x	x		x	x	x

What information is required on each drawing?

View the requirements for each drawing type.

Site plan

The site plan is a drawing based on the property survey. The site plan must show the location of the proposed structure and all existing buildings in relation to the property lines and each other.

The following information should be included on the site plan:

Title and scale
Street name and number, lot and plan number
North arrow
Property lines with dimensions
Setbacks (measurements from buildings to all property lines)
Overall building dimensions
Dimension of buildings in relation to each other
Right-of-ways and easements
Existing and proposed construction
Existing and/or proposed septic systems
Existing and/or proposed wells
Overhead hydro wires

Foundation plan

The foundation plan is a drawing that illustrates the structural components that will support the building, control ground water around the building and forms part of the soil-gas control system.

The following information should be included on all foundation plans:

Title and scale
Interior and exterior dimensions (including door and window openings)
Size and spacing of structural members and lintels
Materials used and the extent and size of both new and existing structures
Location of cross sections

If you are proposing to use a concrete floating slab foundation for any structure greater than 55 m² (592 ft²) the slab must be designed and sealed by a Structural Engineer.

The Ontario Building Code states in sentence 4.3.4.1(1) that structural steel be designed in accordance with CAN/CSA S16 “limited states design of steel structures”. This engineered design is required to obtain a building permit.

Floor and framing plans

The Building Department requires floor plans for all floors and framing plans when engineering is required. A floor plan is a view from above of the building layout cut approximately 4’ above the walking surface.

The following information should be included on all floor plans:

Titles and scale
Room names
Interior and exterior dimensions (including door and window sizes)
Size and spacing of structural members and lintels
Location and dimension of stairs (rise and run)
Materials used
The extent and size of both new and existing structures
Type of roof and its framing
Location of all plumbing fixtures
Location of cross section(s)
Sump pump location

Pre-Engineered floor framing or truss drawings must be provided with an application for permit, or prior to the framing inspection.

Cross section

A cross section is a cut away view of the building from the foundation to the roof. The cross section is required to show the building materials and how they relate to each other.

The following information should be included on the cross section:

Title and scale
Room names
All height dimensions (including floor to ceiling, doors, windows, etc.)
Size and type of materials
Grade and finish floor elevations

Larger detail drawings may be required to fully show the proposed construction.

Elevations

Elevations show all the outside views of the building. The following information should be included on the elevations:

Title and scale
Dimensions of the building (height and width)
Exterior finishes, materials and fixtures
Slope and material of the roof
Grade and finished floor/ceiling elevation dimensions

HVAC design

A Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) design is required for all new mechanical systems serving each dwelling unit. Some additions may also require a completed HVAC design.

The following information should be submitted as part of the HVAC design:

Coordinated floor plans (every level)
Heat loss/gain calculations and duct design
Equipment specification
Ventilation design summary
Plumbing fixture location if applicable
Energy Efficient Design Summary

Additional drawings and details may be required.

Standard sample drawings

View the standard sample drawings. Please note you must prepare your own drawings. The sample drawings are for reference purposes only.

Additional resources

Check out these important resources: