Which Toronto renovations need a building permit?

Toronto Building requires a permit whenever you change the structure, the openings or the systems. That covers removing or adding a wall, cutting a new window or door opening, enlarging an existing one, enclosing a deck or porch, building a deck more than 60 cm above grade, an addition, underpinning, a second suite, and any new or altered plumbing or heating.

Replacing a window or door in the same opening, swapping a furnace, re-roofing without structural work, insulating, drywalling, cabinetry and painting do not need one. The City is clear on one point either way: even when no building permit is required, the work still has to comply with the Zoning By-law.