|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Building permits |
|
|
|
Building permits provide information about property owner, building materials, architect, use, and cost of a structure. They are currently available on microfilm for the former City of Toronto for the years between 1882 and 1926. Even if the Archives does not have the permit for your house, the indices to the building permits may provide you with information, such as the year the permit was issued.
Building permit indices show all the building permit numbers issued for each
street in a given year, but do not give an address for each permit number.
You must look at the building permits to find the address.
Series 1186, sub-series 2, item 4 |
|
In this example from the 1907 building permit index, J. Somers has been issued
building permit 6206. You must look at the building permit itself to find
Somers' address. Note that while all the names here begin with the same letter,
they are not arranged alphabetically within the letter.
Series 1186, sub-series 2, item 4 |
 |
|
Not all building permits are as complete as this one, which shows that Leigh Todd acquired permission to build a two-storey brick and stone house, with basement, at 5 ('E.S.' stands for 'east side') Emerson Avenue. He could afford to hire professional architects as well as a builder. The cost of $2500 was about average for a brick house at the time; wooden houses were considerably cheaper.
Series 1186, sub-series 1, file 64 |
The most useful indices are in volumes arranged by year. They exist only for the years between 1891 and 1914. Ask at the Reference Desk to see them. Names of streets are listed by initial letter, but are not arranged alphabetically within the letter. For most years, there is a second section where property owners are listed by initial letter as well.
Look up the street name and/or property owner for your property, and write down the building permit number(s). (It is easier to find a permit by property owner, if you know his or her name, than by street.) Then view the permit on microfilm, found in the self-serve cabinets in the Microfilm Room at the back of the Research Hall. You may have to look at several permits to find the one for your property.
If you cannot find your property in the volumes of indices, use the indices on microfiche, found in the self-serve cabinets in the Microfilm Room at the back of the Research Hall. These indices list buildings by type, such as brick dwelling or frame (wooden) dwelling. They cover the years from 1915 to 1970. If you find your house in the indices and the house was built between 1915 and 1926, write down the permit number and view the permit on microfilm, found in the self-serve cabinets in the Microfilm Room at the back of the Research Hall.
To see building permits after 1926, contact the City of Toronto Building Division.
|
|
|
