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From decks to drywall: Understanding New Tecumseth’s building permit rules

February 27, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

With spring arriving soon, many local residents will be planning home renovations, both inside and outside.

Whenever you plan to build or renovate, you may need a proper building permit for your project.

The Town of New Tecumseth can help you with building and renovating. Permits protect your home and ensure everyone’s safety.

Many projects will require a proper building permit.

You must obtain a building permit if you are planning to build new, demolish, renovate, repair, or add onto a building or structure.

Examples of when a building permit is required by is not limited to, include:

• A new building or structure that is larger than 15 sq. meters (161 sq. ft.)
• An addition or sunroom that is attached to a building or structure
• Agricultural buildings
• A pre-fabricated building/structure, which is greater than 15 square metres
• Any building or structure that contains plumbing, regardless of size
• Any plumbing or HVAC work

You will need a building permit if you are excavating a basement, constructing a foundation, or converting an attached garage into a livable space.

You also need a building permit if you are installing:

• A door between an attached garage and a house or basement
• An exterior staircase for basement access

When it comes to interior work, you will need a building permit when:

• Installing, changing, or removing or moving load-bearing walls and beams
• Installing new openings in load-bearing walls, exterior walls or changing the size of doors and windows
• Installing a skylight in the roof of a building/structure

Installing or modifying a septic system, water service, sewer line, heating system, air-conditioning system, fireplace or wood stove.

This includes:

• Installing or repairing a chimney
• Installing, renovating, or modifying plumbing fixtures or plumbing systems
• Constructing, renovating or repairing a sewage system, septic tank or septic field

For outdoor decks, you need a permit to build a wood deck that is more than 600 mm (23-5/8 inches) above ground level.

This includes decks around private swimming pools, and if you are adding a roof over a wood deck.

If you are unsure if you need a permit, contact the Town of New Tecumseth for more information.

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