Building permits for fabric structures in Ontario can be more involved than expected. CoverIT Canada manages the process end to end — sealed engineering, permit applications, and municipality coordination on your behalf.
Most fabric buildings in Ontario require a building permit — and the process can be more involved than it looks. Many clients come to us having already started the permit process and run into requests for sealed engineering drawings, site-specific load calculations, or foundation design details they weren’t expecting.
CoverIT Canada handles the permit process on the majority of our projects. We coordinate with your municipality, prepare or obtain sealed engineering drawings adapted to your site conditions, and manage the back-and-forth with the building department on your behalf.
We’ve worked with dozens of Ontario municipalities across a wide range of building types — agricultural, municipal, industrial, and commercial. We know what reviewers typically ask for, and we prepare complete packages the first time.
Permit requirements vary by municipality, but as a general rule in Ontario, any structure with a floor area over 10 square metres requires a building permit. This includes most fabric buildings.
In most Ontario municipalities, any fabric structure with a floor area greater than 10 m² (approximately 108 sq ft) requires a building permit. This covers essentially all commercial and agricultural fabric buildings.
Permanent installations almost always require a permit. Temporary structures (typically those with fixed-length legs and no permanent foundation) may be exempt in some jurisdictions — but this varies. We advise checking with your local building department.
Some agricultural structures on farming operations may qualify for exemptions under Ontario’s Building Code. These exemptions have specific conditions and do not apply universally. We can help you determine if your project qualifies.
Each municipality has its own permit office and review process. Some are straightforward; others require multiple rounds of review. Our experience across Ontario means we know which offices require extra lead time and how to prepare.
Stamped engineering drawings showing the building structure, dimensions, connection details, and design loads. MegaDome® provides site-adapted engineering on every building. For non-MegaDome structures, we can coordinate with a professional engineer on your behalf.
A drawing showing the proposed building location on your property, including setbacks from property lines and other structures. Your surveyor may need to be involved for formal surveys.
Snow load, wind load, and seismic calculations adapted to your specific Ontario location. MegaDome® buildings carry pre-engineered loads; we provide site-specific documentation for your municipality’s review.
We review your project — building type, size, location, and intended use — and advise on what your specific municipality will likely require.
We prepare or obtain sealed engineering drawings adapted to your site. For MegaDome® buildings, this is included with every purchase. For other brands, we coordinate with professional engineers.
We prepare the complete permit application package — drawings, site plan, load calculations, and application form — and submit to your municipality.
We handle questions and requests from the building department. When reviewers ask for additional information or revisions, we respond directly so you don’t have to.
Once approved, we coordinate the permit number with your installation schedule. Inspections during construction are handled according to your municipality’s requirements.
How long does a permit take in Ontario?
Permit timelines vary widely. Simple permits in smaller municipalities can be approved in 2–4 weeks. Larger municipalities or complex projects can take 2–4 months. We advise starting the permit process early and parallel to any site preparation work.
Can I install the building before the permit is approved?
No — installation before permit approval creates significant legal and insurance liability. It can also result in orders to remove the structure. We always recommend waiting for written permit approval before beginning work.
Do I need a permit for a temporary fabric building?
Temporary structures may be exempt in some jurisdictions, but the rules are complex. In many Ontario municipalities, even temporary structures require permits if they exceed a certain size or remain in place longer than a defined period. We recommend confirming with your local building department.
Is the permit cost included in your quote?
Building permit fees are paid to the municipality and are not included in our installation quote. We do include the time and cost of preparing engineering packages and managing the application process.
CoverIT Canada manages the permit process for most of our Ontario installations. Get started with a project assessment.