Residential Building & Renovation
Building Permit Fees
Contact Us
Building Division
City Hall, 3rd Floor
71 Main Street West, Hamilton
Call 905-546-2720 or
Email [email protected]
You must pay permit fees when you submit your Building Permit application. Building Permit fees are determined by Hamilton’s Building Permit By-law 15-058. Refer to this By-law for full details about building permit fees, requirements, refunds and code of conduct.
Schedule A to the Building By-law
Calculation of Permit Fees
1. Permit fees shall be calculated based on the formula given below, unless otherwise specified in this schedule:
- Permit Fee = SI x A
Where SI = Service lndex for the applicable Classification under section 3 below of the work proposed, and A = floor area in m2 of work involved.
Permit Fees
2a. Permit fees shall be rounded off to the nearest full dollar.
2b. Where the permit fee is in excess of $50,000 an applicant may elect to pay 55% of the full permit fee at the time of building permit application and the balance at the time of permit issuance.
2c. Fees noted in the Schedule are subject to Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.) where applicable
Classes of Permits and Fees
3. Permit fees shall be calculated using table 1.
4. Where no new floor area is created, or where materials, systems or equipment regulated by the Code render it impossible to determine the permit fee on the basis of the classifications noted in this Schedule, the permit fee payable shall be 1% of the prescribed value as determined by the Chief Building Official under section 6 of this by-law, subject to a minimum fee as per Section 3 of this Schedule.
5. The total fees under this Schedule and Schedule "C" shall be paid prior to the issuance of the permit.
Table 1
Classes of Permits & Fees
Minimum permit fee of $283 for processing and issuance of permits, except where specifically noted otherwise in this By-law.
| Assembly Occupancies | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| All Recreation Facilities, Elementary Schools, Daycare Facilities, Libraries, Places of Worship, Restaurants, Theatres, Arenas, Gymnasiums, Indoor Pools, Secondary Schools and all other Group A Buildings | $26.42 |
| Portable Classrooms | $422 per portable |
| Shell only | $22.93 |
| Finishing only | $6 |
| Non-Residential - Outdoor Patio | $212 (flat fee) |
| Institutional Occupancies | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Institutional, Hospitals, Medical Care Facilities, Nursing Homes, and other Group B Buildings | $31.57 |
| Shell only | $25.27 |
| Finishing only | $6.98 |
| Residential Occupancies | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Detached house, semi-detached house or row house | $17.79 |
| Additional dwelling unit in an existing house | $500 (Flat Fee) |
| Detached additional dwelling unit in the rear yard of a house | $1,000 (Flat Fee) |
| Apartment buildings | $17.79 |
| Hotels, Motels | $23.52 |
| Other Residential Work | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Deck, balcony, open porch, stairs | $5.20 |
| Garage, storage shed | $6.39 |
| New basement, cold cellar | $6.39 |
| Finishing a basement | $3.94 |
| Residential greenhouse, open carport | $5.20 |
| Exterior barrier-free access | $0 |
| Business and Personal Services | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Shell only) | $17.76 |
| Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Finishing only) | $5.68 |
| Office Buildings (up to 10 storeys) (Finished) | $23.44 |
| Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Shell only) | $21.47 |
| Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Finishing only) | $6.03 |
| Office Buildings (more than 10 storeys) (Finished) | $27.50 |
| Group E (Mercantile) | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Retail (Shell only) | $14.56 |
| Retail (Finishing only) | $4.92 |
| Retail (Finished) | $19.47 |
| Group F (Industrial) | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Industrial (shell only) | $8.82 |
| Industrial (finishing only) | $4.82 |
| Industrial (finished) | $13.65 |
| Parking Garages | $8.06 |
| Gas Stations | $14.71 |
| Foundation Permits | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential under Part 9 of Division B of the Building Code | $440 |
| Residential/Commercial/lndustrial/institutional under Part 3 of Division B of the Building Code (up to 1200 m2) |
$1,092 |
| Residential/Commercial/lndustrial/institutional under Part 3 of Division B of the Building Code (greater than 1200 m2) |
$3,279 |
| Excavation and Shoring | $12.13 per linear metre |
| New water service (low density residential only) | $182 |
| New water service when included with a complete building permit application for a new building (low density residential only) | $163 |
| New sewer service (low density residential only) | $182 |
| New sewer service when included with a complete building permit application for a new building (low density residential only) | $163 |
| Designated Structures | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Communication Tower, Crane Runway, Retaining Wall, Silos | $508 |
| Exterior Storage Tanks - Above and below ground (except for fire fighting water reservoirs) | $508 |
| Pedestrian Bridge/Walkway | $508 |
| Satellite Dish (face area equal to or greater than 5 m²) | $508 |
| Outdoor Public Spa | $1,040 |
| Outdoor Public Swimming Pool | $2,059 |
| Fire Protection Systems | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Electromagnetic Locks | $241 each (maximum $719) |
| Fire Alarm System | $422 (flat fee) |
| Emergency Lighting/Exit Signs | $422 (flat fee) |
| Sprinkler System | $0.70 |
| Standpipe System | $422 (flat fee) |
| Combined Sprinkler and Standpipe System | $0.70 (minimum $422) |
| Mechanical Systems | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Commercial Cooking Exhaust System | $422 |
| Demolition | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Residential - single/two family dwelling and townhouses | $0.52 |
| Accessory structures to a residential use | $0.52 ($182 minimum) |
| Non-residential and multi residential | $0.52 ($450 minimum) |
| Plumbing Devices | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Backflow Preventer - For first premise or zone device | $283 |
| Backflow Preventer - For each additional premise or zone device | $182 |
| Backwater Valve | $283 |
| Grease/Oil Interceptor | $283 |
| Renewable (Green) Energy Systems | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Geothermal System for a Single/Two Family Dwelling | $508 |
| Geothermal System for all other Buildings | $681 |
| Solar Collector for a Single/Two Family Dwelling | $283 |
| Solar Collector for all other Buildings | $508 |
| Wind Turbine | $508 |
| Sewage Systems | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| To construct a sewage system pursuant to the provisions of the Act |
$981 |
| To construct a Class 5 sewage systems or to repair a sewage system pursuant to the provisions of the Act |
$601 |
| Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program | $275 |
| Signs | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Ground Sign with a sign area of less than or equal to 2.5 m2 | $253 |
| Ground Sign with a sign area of greater then 2.5 m2 and up to 4.0 m2 |
$445 |
| Ground Sign with a sign area greater than 4.0 m2 | $890 |
| Awning, Canopy, Marquee, Parapet, Projecting and Wall Signs | $445 |
| Billboard | $890 |
| Other Classifications | Service Index (SI) $/m2 |
|---|---|
| Accessory structures, garage, storage shed, new basement, cold cellar, unenclosed canopies, air supported structures | $6.39 |
| Farm Buildings | $3.26 |
| Greenhouses | $1.95 (Max $6,427) |
| Tents | $2.12 (Max $450) |
| Temporary Structures - Sales Offices | $17.38 |
| Temporary Structures - Construction Trailers | $13.75 |
| Temporary Structures - Stages | $283 (flat fee) |
| Temporary Structures - Other Structures (intended to be used for less than 6 months) | $283 (flat fee) |
| Residential greenhouses, deck, balcony, open porch, exterior stair, ramp, open carport |
$5.20 |
| Balcony Guard Replacement | $3.06 per linear metre |
| Balcony Repairs | $30.60 per balcony |
| Slab Reconstruction | $6.12 |
| Shelf and Rack Storage | $981 (flat fee) |
| Dust Collector | $508 (flat fee) |
| Paint Booth | $508 (flat fee) |
| Alterations/partitioning/renovations to existing finished areas (where no building systems are being installed or altered), relocation/moving permits |
$3.94 |
| Re-roofing without any structure changes (Except for buildings containing less than 4 dwelling units for townhouses) | $0.34 |
| Administrative Fees | Flat Fee |
|---|---|
| Additional Plan Review (Resubmission) - Where a non-compliant resubmission is submitted above and beyond the first resubmission | $182 per hour of review time |
| Additional Permit Fee (Revision)- Where an applicant makes a material change to a plan, specification, document, or other information, following the issuance of a building permit (includes first hour of review time) | $182 $182 for each additional hour |
| Alternative Solution - Application for an Alternative Solution under Section 2.1, of Division C, of the Building Code (up to 4 hours review time) | $657 $182 for each additional hour |
| Applicable Law Review - Review and consultation for Applicable Law requirements | $277 |
| Building Code Compliance Letters - Written requests for information concerning a building's compliance with the current Building Code |
$182 per hour of review time |
| Change of Use Permit - Change of use Permit with no construction | $283 |
| Conditional Permit Fee - Review and approval of Conditional permit Agreements/Undertakings | 10% of permit fee (minimum $1,183, maximum $4,143) |
| Fire Watch/Fire Plan - Review and approval of Fire Watch/Fire Plans during construction | $593 |
| Limiting Distance Agreements - For Review and approval of Limiting Distance Agreements under Sentence 3.2.3.1.(8), 9.10.14.2.(4) or 9.10.15.2.(4), of Division B, of the Building Code |
$641 |
| Occupancy Permit for an Unfinished Residential Building (fee is for each individual Occupancy Permit request) | $182 per unit (+ $44.50 for each additional unit) |
| Occupancy Permit for all other Unfinished Buildings (fee is for each individual Occupancy Permit request) | $593 |
| Permit or Application Extensions - Extension of a building permit or permit application where no revisions are required | $182 |
| Pre-Consultation - Building Code preliminary design consultation for proposed designs and developments | $182 per hour of review time |
| Premature/Additional Inspections - Where an inspection request is premature and the inspector must re-attend the site to complete the necessary inspection, upon notice to the owner an additional fee of: |
$241 per inspection |
| Stock Plans - Review of stock plans for a new single family dwelling prior to a complete permit application being submitted | $460 |
| Suspended Permit - Where an inspection is requested for a Permit that has been suspended | $241 per inspection |
| Transfer of Permit - Where ownership changes on a property and there are no other changes to the project or the professional services required. | $182 |
Other Fees Related to Construction
Other fees, such as Development Charge Fees and/or Parkland Dedication Fees, may also apply, depending on the nature of the proposed development.
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