Change of Use Permits

Despite no construction or demolition being proposed, the following changes in use of a building or part of a building constitute an increase in hazard and thereby require a change of use permit.

• • a suite of a residential occupancy is converted into more than one suite of residential occupancy,
  • a suite or part of a suite of an assembly occupancy, other than an arena or theatre for performing arts, is converted to a gaming premises,
  • a farm building or part of a farm building is changed to another major occupancy,
  • a farm building or part of a farm building is changed to a high hazard agricultural occupancy.
  • a building or part of a building is changed to a post-disaster building,
  • a building or part of a building is changed to a retirement home,
  • The use of a building or part of a building is changed, and the previous major occupancy of the building or part of the building cannot be determined, or
  • a change of the major occupancy of all or part of a building that is designated with a "Y" in the table below takes place,

¹ "N" is only applicable where the major occupancy of the entire suite is changed.

Note: If any construction or demolition is proposed that would require a permit then a building permit is required in lieu of a change of use permit.

Before you start a new project, check the zoning of your property to determine the permitted uses and the required standards applicable to the property.

You may locate the property using GLIMR, an interactive mapping tool provided by Oxford County, to determine the zoning designation.

Once the zoning designation of a property has been identified. Discover the applicable standards for the zone using the Township of Norwich Zoning By-law.

Depending on the type of project you are working on and where your property is located, you may need other approvals before your change of use permit can be issued.

The Ontario Building Code states that any general or special Act, and all regulations and by-laws enacted under them that prohibit the proposed use of the building unless the Act, regulation, or by-law is complied with, is considered to be applicable law.

This means that written confirmation that such Acts, regulations, and by-laws are complied with must be provided, where applicable, prior to issuance of a change of use permit.

There is not a specific list of applicable laws that may be relevant for a change of use permit. Applicable laws can vary from project to project however, some of the more common applicable laws are referenced here.

Various forms, drawings, and other documents are required to be submitted as part of a complete permit application. The required information is used to determine whether the proposed change of use will conform with the Building Code Act.

Ensuring that the required information is submitted with the permit application and detailed enough to determine conformance with the Building Code Act can help reduce processing delays.

The following is a list of the minimum submission requirements for various projects. Contact the Building Services Department if you require any clarification on the submission requirements for your specific project.

1. Site Plan
2. Architectural Floor Plan Drawing(s)
3. Architectural Cross Section Drawing(s)

In most cases, a design professional such as an architect, professional engineer, or a qualified designer registered with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is required to create complete and accurate drawings that comply with the building code and applicable law. These drawings will need to be submitted along with your permit application.

To verify whether a designer is qualified in the area(s) of design that fits your project, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing provides the public directory linked below.

QUARTS (Qualification and Registration Tracking System)

Licence holders through the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) or Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) do not need to file with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The following Associations and Organizations have listings or contact information for licence holders through the OAA or PEO:

Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)

Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO)

The Township of Norwich does not specifically endorse any individual designer or organization. This list has been assembled for general information purposes only.

Applications can be submitted online 24/7 using the Citywide Portal

Your application will be reviewed to confirm that your project will comply with the Ontario Building Code and applicable approvals required. The review process includes:

1. 1. Complete Application Review: Staff will check that all minimum submission requirements are met and that the proposed project conforms with the Zoning By-Law and applicable laws. If an application does not comply with these requirements, the application is considered to be incomplete and the applicant will be notified, in writing, of the reasons why the application is considered incomplete.
      
      This review should be completed within two business days beginning on the day after the application is submitted.
      
      
   2. Building Code Review: Complete applications will proceed to this stage, where staff review the proposed construction for compliance with the Ontario Building Code. If the submitted drawings or documents do not demonstrate compliance, or if additional information is required to confirm compliance, the applicant will be notified in writing of all items that must be addressed.

The timeline for this review varies based upon the type of building, complexity of the project and quality of the design submission. Staff aim to complete these reviews within 15 business days.

When an application passes all reviews, the applicant shall be notified of all remaining fees and charges owing prior to issuance of the permit.

The permit is issued upon the payment of all outstanding fees and charges and will be available online for applications that were submitted online. If an application was submitted in person, staff will contact the applicant to notify them once the permit is available to be picked up at the office.

You must ensure that the approved drawings are made available at the project site for the Building Inspector to undertake the mandated inspections.

If you have been issued a change of use permit but need to change the scope of work resulting in a material change to a plan, specification, document or other information on the basis of which the permit was issued you’ll need approval from the Building Services Department.

Approvals can be in the form of a “field revision” approved by the chief building official or building inspector in the field or a formal revised permit.

An inspector may feel comfortable with approving a revision in the field where the change is considered minor in nature. Changes that have a material affect on the design, building use, or result in construction/demolition, will require a formal application to be submitted for review of the proposed revision(s).

Talk to your building inspector to find out what type of approval you’ll require. If you’re not sure who your inspector is or how to contact them, please call 519-667-2000 or email at building@norwich.ca.

Revision applications may be submitted online or in person.

Submission requirements for a request to revise a permit:

1. 1. A written notice describing the nature and location of the proposed change(s)
   2. A completed Schedule 1 form (not required for drawings prepared by licence holder from the OAA or PEO)
   3. Drawings and/or specifications that accurately identify the proposed change(s)
   4. Application fee (see Fees)

The Chief Building Official may revoke a permit where:

• • It was issued on mistaken, false or incorrect information,
  • If, after six months after its issuance, the construction or demolition has not been seriously commenced,
  • If the construction or demolition is substantially suspended or discontinued for more than one year,
  • If it was issued in error,
  • If the permit holder requests in writing that it be revoked, or
  • If a term of a conditional permit has not been complied with.

If you no longer wish to proceed with a project for which a permit was issued, please submit a written request to the building services department requesting the permit be revoked.

The building inspector will need to review your project prior to changing the use of the building and following the change of use. The purpose of these inspections is to verify the existing condition of the building prior to changing the use and the final condition of the building once the use has changed.

If you are unsure of when to request an inspection, staff would be pleased to discuss the required inspection program with you, either before or after the permit is issued.

You are responsible for scheduling inspections at the appropriate stages noted above. Inspection dates and times are subject to inspector availability. When the preferred inspection date is unavailable, the Township will make every effort to schedule the inspection for within 2 business days from the preferred date.

Inspections may be requested via the online Citywide portal, email at building@norwich.ca, or by phone at (519)667-2000.

If leaving an email or voicemail message, please include the following information:

• • Your name
  • Return phone number
  • Address of the project
  • Permit number
  • Inspection required
  • Preferred date for the inspection

If you need to cancel a scheduled inspection, contact the building services department as soon as possible.

Make sure you meet these requirements to ensure the inspection can be completed:

• • Make sure you carefully reviewed the approved permit documents and drawings provided by the Township
  • Keep all printed permit documents and drawings on site (copies should be printed in colour on paper no smaller than 11×17 inches)
  • Make sure all areas of inspection are clearly visible and accessible for the inspector
  • Make sure proper access is available to the area being inspected
  • Make sure all applicable health and safety requirements are in place on the site