Municipal Office

You need a Building Permit for most projects. No construction can take place until a building permit has been applied for, and obtained in accordance with the Building Code Act. The Building Code Act is enforced by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Set Fines are in place for non-compliance.

The Ontario Building Code, the Municipal Zoning By-Law and other by-laws and statues regulate the various aspects of construction.

 Required Permits

You will need a Building Permit if you are constructing or installing the following:

  • New Buildings or Structures
  • Accessory Buildings and Structures larger than 108 square feet
  • Wood Decks greater than 24 inches above grade level
  • Additions to existing structures
  • Adding a Basement Apartment or Secondary Dwelling Unit
  • Renovations where insulation/vapour barrier are affected
  • Plumbing, new plumbing and plumbing alterations
  • Structural Alterations
  • Prefabricated Structures
  • Solid fuel burning appliances
  • Fire Separations
  • Exit Facilities
  • Fire Protection Systems
  • Swimming Pools (Public)
  • Fencing around residential swimming pools
  • Designated Structures

Applications for Building Permits are available online, see link below.

There may be other fees owing for connections, entrances, and encroachments when you are constructing and these can be discussed with Municipal staff when you apply for a building permit.

Please contact the Chief Building Official for more information
 Permit Exemption

You do not need a Building Permit for:

  • Painting and decorating
  • Construction or Demolition of:
    • Fences
    • Structures less than 108 square feet, without plumbing
    • Sheds or trailers required for construction projects
    • Retaining wall not exceeding 1000mm (3ft 3in) in exposed height
    • Decks that are less than 2 feet high from the ground around all edges 
  • Replacing
    • millwork and cabinets without plumbing
    • hot water heaters
    • oil or gas fired appliances
    • shingling of roofs of residential buildings
    • same size doors and windows
    • siding
 Permit Fees
 

Please visit our Permit Fees page for a list of building permit fees.

 
 Sewage Systems

The Northwestern Health Unit is responsible for the enforcement of the Building Code Act relating to Sewage Systems within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.

For information and permits contact:

Thomas Nabb
Chief Building Official
Northwestern Health Unit
210 First Street North
Kenora ON P9N 2K4
1-807-468-3147 ext. 225
[email protected]

Visit the Northwestern Health Unit's Sewage System webpage for more information and forms.

Information Packages are also available at the Northwestern Health Unit in Sioux Lookout (737-2292

Permit applications can now be submitted through our online e-permit portal. This includes:

  • building & moving permits
  • commercial/industrial/institutional permits for alterations, repairs, addition, or new construction
  • demolition
  • renovations
  • entrances and stairwells
  • new basement
  • new bathroom
  • new floor
  • new roof
  • new wood stove, pellet stove, or wood fireplace
  • plumbing
  • residential additions
  • new deck, shed, porch, garage, or gazebo
  • new home/apartment/seasonal dwelling/temporary structure
  • water and sewer services

Staff will help you identify other approvals and permits you might need, such as:

  • Sewage disposal permit from the Northwestern Health Unit
  • Entrance and use permits from Ministry of Transportation and other Ministries
  • "Call Before You Dig" to locate buried utilities, etc. -- 1-800-400-2255 (ON1Call) 
  • Other permits and permissions from the Municipality

Contact the Chief Building Official for more information.