Before you take down all or part of a building, you will have to apply to the Building Department for a demolition permit. The process is much the same as for a building permit, but some special situations may affect your application. The building/demolition permit application can be found under the Applications & Forms section above. In a demolition control area, for example, you will not be able to demolish a residential property until you have received a demolition permit issued by the municipal council.

Or, because of the building’s historic or architectural importance, it may be designated, or be intended for designation, as a heritage building under the Ontario Heritage Act. In that case, demolition will require council’s approval and there may have to be negotiations over how some of the unique character of the building can be preserved.