What You Need to Get a Building Permit for a Custom Home in Ontario
- Jen Aram
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
A Complete Guide to Drawings, Costs, and the Approval Process
If you’re planning to build a custom home in Ontario, one of your first steps is securing a building permit. But what exactly do you need to get that permit approved?
At Lush Designs Studio, we handle the entire design and permit process for custom homes—from architectural drawings and engineering to full city approvals. This post breaks down exactly what’s required, what it costs, and how we make the process seamless for our clients.
Permit Drawing Requirements for a Custom Home in Ontario
To get a building permit for a new home, you’ll need a full set of architectural and structural drawings that meet the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and your municipality’s zoning by-laws.
Here’s what’s typically required:
Required Permit Drawings
Site Plan: Showing setbacks, lot coverage, grading, drainage, driveway, and lot lines
Zoning Compliance Summary: Including height, lot coverage, and GFA
Architectural Floor Plans: All levels, dimensioned and labeled
Exterior Elevations: All four sides showing materials and height
Roof Plan: Pitch, drainage, and overhangs
Building Sections & Wall Details: OBC-compliant construction details
Structural Plans: Foundation, floor framing, roof framing
HVAC Design (SB-10 or SB-12): Energy efficiency calculations
Plumbing & Electrical Layouts: If required by the city
OBC Matrix: Identifying Part 3, Part 9 or Part 4 classification
Engineer Stamp: Required for structural components
BCIN Designer Info: If not using an architect or engineer
Additional Approvals You May Need
Depending on your lot location or scope, you may also need:
Septic Design (if rural)
Grading/Drainage Plan from a civil engineer
Conservation Authority Review (if near water, forest, etc.)
Heritage or Site Plan Control Approval (if applicable)
We identify and coordinate all these items for you at the start of the project.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Permit Drawings for a Custom Home?
Here’s what a typical client can expect for a new build in Ontario:
Item | Cost Range |
Permit Drawing Set (by Lush Designs) | $10,000–$25,000+ |
Structural Engineer Stamp | $1,500–$3,500 |
HVAC/Mechanical Design | $2,000–$5,000 |
Septic Design (if rural) | $4,000–$8,000 |
City Permit Fees | $2,000–$7,000 |
We bundle and coordinate all these services so you’re not managing multiple consultants.
How We Help You Get Permits—Fast and Stress-Free
At Lush Designs Studio, we don’t just prepare drawings—we manage the entire permit acquisition process:
Site & Zoning Review
We check all zoning requirements before starting design.
Design Development
We work with you to design your dream home within budget and code.
Engineer Coordination
We work with trusted engineers for structural, HVAC, and septic plans (if needed).
Permit Package Preparation
Complete, code-compliant, and stamped by qualified professionals.
Municipal Submission & Revisions
We handle all back-and-forth with the city until your permit is approved.
You Build. We Stay Involved.
We support you throughout the build with site review, construction advice, and finishes.
Real Project Example: Custom Home in Halton Region
One of our recent clients built a 3,000 sqft farmhouse-inspired home in rural Milton. The lot was on septic and within conservation boundaries.
We handled:
Full design and architectural permit set
Structural and mechanical engineering
Grading, septic, and energy compliance
Conservation review
Permit approval through Town of Milton
Result: Permit issued in 4.5 weeks, construction started on schedule.
Why Choose Lush Designs for Your Custom Home Project?
✔ One team to handle design, code compliance, engineering, and permits
✔ Deep knowledge of OBC, zoning bylaws, and rural permitting
✔ Transparent pricing and project management
✔ Optional 3D renderings and virtual walkthroughs
✔ Seamless hand-off to our builder partners or your contractor
Ready to Start Your Custom Home Journey?
Let’s design it right the first time—and get you building faster.
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