Building Permit Drawings in Ontario
Every construction project in Ontario requires a building permit before work can begin. At Sandhu Design Build, our BCIN-qualified designer (BCIN 512242) prepares complete, code-compliant building permit drawing sets that meet the Ontario Building Code and your municipality's specific submission requirements.
What Are Building Permit Drawings?
Building permit drawings are the technical documents required by your municipal building department to issue a building permit. These drawings demonstrate that your proposed construction complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), local zoning by-laws, and all applicable legislation. Without proper permit drawings prepared by a qualified designer, your permit application will be rejected.
A complete building permit drawing set typically includes site plans showing lot coverage, setbacks, and grading; floor plans for every level of the building; building elevations showing exterior materials and heights; building sections showing structural details and insulation; and construction details for foundations, walls, roofs, and connections. The specific drawings required depend on your project scope and your municipality's submission checklist.
Why You Need a BCIN-Qualified Designer
In Ontario, the Building Code Act requires that permit drawings for Part 9 residential buildings (houses, townhouses, small apartments up to 3 storeys and 600 m²) be prepared by a designer holding a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN). This is a provincial qualification — not a business licence — that confirms the designer has demonstrated competency in building code knowledge through examination.
Sandhu Design Build's principal designer holds BCIN 512242, which means your drawings are prepared by a qualified professional who understands the Ontario Building Code inside and out. We do not subcontract your permit drawings to third parties — our in-house designer produces every drawing set personally.
Our Building Permit Drawing Process
We have streamlined the permit drawing process to deliver fast, accurate, and complete drawing sets that pass municipal review on the first submission. Our process begins with a free consultation where we discuss your project, visit the site if needed, and review your municipality's specific requirements. We then produce your complete drawing set, coordinate with any required engineers (structural, mechanical, energy), and prepare your full permit application package for submission.
Throughout the process, we handle all communication with your municipal building department — from initial pre-consultation to responding to plan review comments and conditions of approval. You never have to deal with the bureaucracy yourself.
Types of Building Permit Drawings We Prepare
We prepare building permit drawings for every type of residential and small commercial project in Ontario. Our most common projects include basement finishing and legal basement apartment conversions, home additions (single storey and second storey), garage construction and conversions, deck construction, garden suite and accessory dwelling unit construction, kitchen and bathroom renovations requiring structural changes, commercial interior fit-outs and tenant improvements, and new residential construction.
Each drawing set is tailored to your specific project and municipality. We know the submission requirements for Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan, Toronto, Oakville, and dozens of other GTA municipalities — so your application includes exactly what is needed, nothing more and nothing less.
Building Permit Drawing Costs
Our permit drawing fees depend on the project scope and complexity. As a general guide, simple projects like deck permits or basement finishing start at $1,500–$2,500. Home additions and second storey additions typically range from $3,000–$6,000. Legal basement apartments with separate entrances range from $2,500–$5,000. Garden suites and ADUs range from $4,000–$8,000. Commercial fit-out drawings depend on the space size and complexity.
We provide a detailed, fixed-price quote before any work begins. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges. Contact us for a free project assessment and quote.
Municipalities We Submit To
We have direct experience submitting building permit applications across the Greater Toronto Area. Our municipal experience includes the City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, City of Vaughan, City of Toronto, Town of Oakville, Town of Milton, City of Markham, City of Richmond Hill, Town of Newmarket, Town of Caledon, and surrounding municipalities. Each municipality has its own submission checklist, fee schedule, and review timeline — and we know them all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs depend on project scope. Simple projects (decks, basement finishing) start at $1,500–$2,500. Additions range from $3,000–$6,000. Garden suites $4,000–$8,000. We provide fixed-price quotes with no hidden fees.
Most residential permit drawing sets are completed within 5–10 business days. Complex projects may take 2–3 weeks. We always provide a timeline estimate before starting work.
Yes. Ontario law requires that Part 9 residential building permit drawings be prepared by a BCIN-qualified designer. Our designer holds BCIN 512242.
A typical set includes a site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, construction details, and any required schedules. The specific drawings depend on your project and municipality.
Yes. We prepare and submit your complete building permit application, including all required drawings, forms, and supporting documents. We also handle any plan review comments from the building department.