Frequently Asked Questions

Cloudpermit is an online platform that enables applicants to submit and track building permit applications anytime, from anywhere.

You can start your permit application and complete it later, with the option to receive email updates on your application’s status.

Questions and messages can be exchanged with the Municipality’s building department through Cloudpermit, and payments can also be made directly through the portal.

Cloudpermit is designed to simplify processes, allowing the Municipality to manage permits more efficiently, quickly, and transparently.

By eliminating the need for paper submissions, it significantly accelerates the process, saving both time and money for everyone involved.

Centralized Platform: Cloudpermit provides a single platform to manage all permit-related tasks, including applications, approvals, and tracking.

Convenience and Accessibility: Being an online system, Cloudpermit can be accessed anytime, anywhere, from any device with internet connectivity, offering great flexibility and convenience.

Automation: Cloudpermit automates many tasks, reducing paperwork and minimizing the chances of errors.

Real-time Updates: Users receive immediate updates on their permit applications, improving communication and making the process more transparent.

All parties involved can use the portal's online messaging system to easily communicate with the Municipality of West Grey’s building department.  

With Cloudpermit, you can work on your permit application at your own pace. It can be started and completed later, with all information saved to your account. You’ll also have the option to receive email updates on the status of your permit application.

Cloudpermit allows you to work on your permit application at your own pace. You can start it and finish it later, with all your information securely saved in your account. Additionally, you'll have the option to receive email updates on your application’s progress.

A building permit is your formal permission to begin construction or demolition. It means that the Municipality has approved plans for any new structure, addition or renovation. Approved plans must comply with the Ontario Building Code, local zoning bylaws, and other applicable laws and regulations. Building permits regulate types of construction allowed in the community and ensure that building standards are met. The building permit process protects each homeowner’s interests, as well as those of the community at large, and provides for the erection of safe structures. Permits help ensure that any structural change is safe, legal and sound.

You need a building permit if you plan to:

• Renovate/repair to a building (ie. finishing a basement, finishing of an attic space, or insulating of exterior walls when exterior or interior cladding is removed
• Construct an addition to an existing building
• demolish a building or a portion of a building
• change a building’s use
• install, change or remove partitions and load-bearing walls (ie. adding or removing most walls, creating different room sizes and/or uses)
• install new or make structural alterations to windows or doors
• construct a deck that is more than 24” above grade.
• Tents or group of tents occupying an area larger than 60 m2 in size.
• New plumbing or alterations to existing plumbing including site services
• Installation of a wood stove

If you are unsure if you require a building permit, contact the Building Department for more information. 

• Replace existing, same-size doors and windows, subject to distance from property lines
• Build a uncovered deck under two feet (0.61 metres) above grade
• Reshingle a roof, provided there is no structural work
• install eavestroughs, provided that drainage is contained on your property
• Replace or increase insulation, dry-wall or plaster
• Damp-proof basements
• Replace existing forced-air furnace, provided there are not structural changes
• Air conditioning units or heat pumps added to existing forced-air systems
• Electrical work (the Electrical Safety Authority, however must inspect electrical installations.)
• Paint or decorate
• Install kitchen or bathroom cupboards without plumbing

Although your project may not require a building permit, you must still comply with the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw.

Please be advised, as of June 20, 2023, our fees have changed. For a full break-down of relevant permit fees, see the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Note: These fees are subject to change at any time, at the Municipality's discretion. 

Depending on the development proposed you may be required to pay Development Charges. 

West Grey Development Charge Bylaw
Grey County Development Charge Bylaw

Once you have paid for and received a valid building permit, you are required to commence construction on the project within 6 months of the date of permit issuance, unless express permission is granted by the Chief Building Official. 

Once the work has commenced, property owners/applicants are required to contact the Building department through Cloudpermit to book at each stage of the construction process, as regulated by the Ontario Building Code.

If your tent (or group of tents) has an area of more than 60 m², then a tent permit is required prior to erecting the tent(s). Tents larger than 225 m² will also require a site inspection to be done by a qualified professional engineer before occupancy will be granted.

To get more information about building permits, fees, processes and timelines, please contact the Building Development via email or 519-369-2200 ext. 102. 

Pool Enclosure permit applications in the Municipality of West Grey are managed through Cloudpermit.

• A detailed site plan showing all property-line setbacks, the area of all existing structures, the uses of the buildings and the location of the pool and pool enclosure
• Specifications on type of fence proposed

In the province of Ontario, the capacity of a household septic system is intended to accommodate twice the daily design flow of your home. This allows your wastewater to be retained long enough to allow the settling out of solids and liquids, encouraging treatment and microbiological activity. 

Your septic system designer will help you determine the right size for your property.

To keep your system functional and operating in its intended manner, your septic tank will require intermittent pumping (depending on your usage) in order to remove excessive accumulated sludge and solids. As per the Ontario Building Code, this is identified when your sludge measurements reach one-third of the working capacity (or liquid depth) of your receiving chamber. In most cases, it is recommended that this occurs every 3-5 years, depending on use, size and condition of your septic tank.

The Municipality of West Grey encourages you to properly decommission your septic tank/sewage system when hooking up to municipal services or demolishing a house. A permit is required for the decommissioning or it can be part of the demolition permit obtained when demolishing a house.

Please refer to Ontario Onsite Waterwater Association’s Guide to a Healthy Septic System.

On-site septic systems must be designed and installed by licensed professionals qualified by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.