PERMITS (city of Toronto) Are there standard definitions?

[creamsoda]

I've been reading through other posts about renovation / building permits. It all seems so confusing. I see a list of items on the City of Toronto website of items that would require a permit. Although, there aren't any definitions. I'm assuming my contractor would know all this, but these days I feel like the buyer should be as knowledgeable as possible also.

For e.g. it says you need a permit for "Install or modify heating, plumbing or air-conditioning systems". What does this mean? If I get a new a/c, I need a permit?

"Install, change, or remove partitions and load bearing walls". If I make the opening between my living and dining room larger (not a load bearing wall), I need a permit?

Is this permit process simply filling out a form? Easy to do for these types of minor changes? Or are we talking months of waiting time? I've heard of situations where individuals are "especially generous" towards influential city workers or are able to call on favours ... what are your options if you're "just a mere resident"?

[BuildingHomes]

Wow.

Just call your municiple office and ask to speaker with someone regarding building permits. They will have all the official answers to your questions.

And don't mention anything about paying off city officials, I'm pretty sure you are going to offend whomever you speak to with that question.

[Cheap Cat]

The city isn't currently issuing building permits due to the strike so I don't believe that you can call and make inquiries. There are more workers on strike than just the garbage collectors.

[Jimbobs]

I've been reading through other posts about renovation / building permits. It all seems so confusing. I see a list of items on the City of Toronto website of items that would require a permit. Although, there aren't any definitions. I'm assuming my contractor would know all this, but these days I feel like the buyer should be as knowledgeable as possible also.

For e.g. it says you need a permit for "Install or modify heating, plumbing or air-conditioning systems". What does this mean? If I get a new a/c, I need a permit?

"Install, change, or remove partitions and load bearing walls". If I make the opening between my living and dining room larger (not a load bearing wall), I need a permit?

Is this permit process simply filling out a form? Easy to do for these types of minor changes? Or are we talking months of waiting time? I've heard of situations where individuals are "especially generous" towards influential city workers / committee officials ... are you SOL if you're a simple jo-blo resident who doesn't know anyone at the city?

In my opinion, it is a waste of time and an unnecessary expense to get a permit for most minor jobs. Even the City inspectors will tell you this - off the record, of course. If you really want to find out what requires a permit and what doesn't, call them up (when the strike is over) and ask. They generally don't bite :)

The idea of bribing an inspector is as ridiculous as it sounds. Can you imagine someone coming in to your place of work and offering you money when you're doing your job. Would you accept it? Would you be pissed off?

[creamsoda]

Thanks for the feedback. I was wondering about how the strike is affecting this side of the reno world. I suppose we can expect delays to clear any back log once up and running again.

As for the idea of speeding up the process ... sometimes it helps to know people. That's just how it is. May not necessarily involve money ... sorry, wasn't my intention to insult anyone or be presumptious.

[Whitedart]

As for the idea of speeding up the process ... sometimes it helps to know people. That's just how it is. May not necessarily involve money ... sorry, wasn't my intention to insult anyone or be presumptious.

It is not a matter of knowing people, it is a matter of calling someone in the Building Permit processing area to check, or in the case of the strike, checking Toronto's web site.

I just checked it and found that, like Mississauga, Toronto has a simplified process for small residential permits, called Residential Fastrack.
http://www.toronto.ca/building/fastrack.htm

Residential FASTRACK is a building permit service for certain types of home renovation projects in existing houses with one or two units. Previously, this service was available a half-day each week in Toronto's district offices. It is now available all day, every business day, at each of the four district offices. Our goal is to issue your permit while you wait. In certain circumstances, however, it may take up to 5 business days to complete the review.

[creamsoda]

Some specific scenarios:

It says you need a permit for "Install or modify heating, plumbing or air-conditioning systems". If I replace my a/c unit do I technically need a permit?

"Install, change, or remove partitions and load bearing walls".
If I make the opening between my living and dining room larger (not a load bearing wall), do I technically need a permit?

Would we have to submit this:
Plans must be drawn to scale and printed in ink or blue print