The following information describes how you may submit a service complaint to Toronto Building. To help process your complaint, information on the type of services Toronto Building provides is outlined along with key contact information including service-related links.
Toronto Building will manage complaints efficiently, fairly, effectively, and uniformly.
Complainants are encouraged to first speak directly with the service area where they have an issue, in person or by telephone. Most complaints are received this way and resolved promptly. If you are not satisfied with how your verbal complaint is handled, you may request to speak to the management in the service area. If you are still not satisfied you may submit a written complaint to Toronto Building or communicate your complaint verbally at the Customer Service Complaint office. (See contact information under complaint process below).
Once a written complaint has been submitted to Toronto Building, receipt will be acknowledged within the same day (working day). If the information regarding the complaint is incomplete, Toronto Building will contact the complainant within two days. Anonymous complaints will not be processed through this protocol.
All registered complaints will be investigated and responded to within 30 days. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome the matter may be appealed to the Chief Building Official. Every effort will be made to resolve the matter identifying all options available to seek a resolution.
This Customer Service Complaint Protocol has been based on the corporate Complaints Handling Guidelines. Toronto Building will manage your complaint in accordance with these guidelines. Complaints will also be managed in accordance with the accessibility standards that have been established in accordance with Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
All complaints will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of the Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
Speak directly with the service area where you have an issue, in person or by telephone. The service area representative will provide an immediate response whenever possible. If the matter requires further investigation, the service area representative will provide a response within two business days.
If resolution was not accomplished under Step 1, you may request to speak to the management in the service area. You are entitled to discuss the matter with a Manager and/or Director in the service area. (A record of your complaint will be entered into the tracking system) Management will provide a response within seven business days.
If satisfaction is not reached under Step 2, you may submit a complaint to the Office of the Chief Building Official, c/o Toronto Building Complaints. To submit a written request, please complete the complaint form.
Receipt of your complaint will be acknowledged within the same day the complaint is received. If the information regarding the complaint is incomplete, Toronto Building will contact the complainant within two business days. Your complaint will be assigned a unique tracking number and logged into Toronto Building’s electronic tracking system. A management representative is assigned to resolve the matter with the complainant. The management representative will undertake the investigation into the matter as soon as the information is logged and received, and respond to the complainant with a resolution or options for resolution within 30 business days of receipt.
If the complaint involves a matter regarding a policy, procedure or service offered by Toronto Building, this information will be reviewed by Division management to determine if any changes or improvements should be implemented. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process.
If the complainant does not reach a satisfactory resolution under Step 3, the matter may be appealed in confidence to the Chief Building Official in writing. The Chief Building Official will acknowledge and obtain any further information required within seven days . The Chief Building Official will respond to the complainant with a resolution or options for resolution within 30 business days.
By mail:
Office of the Chief Building Official
Toronto City Hall
12th Floor, East Tower,
100 Queen St. W.,
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome under Step 4, the matter may be directed to the Ombudsman (opens in new window).
The Building Code Act and Regulations establish the powers and duties of the City with respect to the issuance of building permits. Building standards are established by:
The Building Code Act establishes the right to appeal to the Divisional Court any decision of the Chief Building Official – extended to staff (e.g., a stop work order, issuance or denial of a building permit). Building Code interpretations may be appealed to the Building Code Commission. See the application for a Building Code Commission hearing.
A technical issue regarding a problem related to construction techniques can be referred to the Building Code Commission.
The Building Code specifies the following time frames for the review of complete building permit applications:
Within the specified time frame, we will either issue or refuse to issue a building permit and provide, in writing, all reasons for the refusal. (See table below for detailed time frame If you have a dispute about the time frames not being met. You may appeal to the Building Code Commission.
The Building Code, Subsection 1.3.5.1, requires that an inspector provide an inspection within two days once a notice for inspection has been submitted (See Prescribed Inspections below for details) If you have a dispute about the time frames not being met you may appeal to the Building Code Commission. See the application for a Building Code Commission hearing.
Period within Which Permit Shall be Issued or Refused
BUILDING CODE (Division C Table 1.3.1.3)
| Row Number | Class of Building | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
10 days |
| 2 |
|
15 days |
| 3 |
|
20 days |
| 4 |
|
30 days |
Prescribed Inspections
BUILDING CODE (Division C 1.3.5.3.)
(1) Except as provided Sentence (2), an inspector or registered code agency, as the case may be, shall not later than two days after receipt of a notice given under Sentence 1.3.5.1.(2), undertake a site inspection of the building to which the notice relates.
(2) Where a notice given under Sentence 1.3.5.1.(2) relates to matters described in Clause 1.3.5.1.(2)(k) or (l), an inspector or registered code agency, as the case may be, shall, not later than five days after receipt of the notice, undertake a site inspection of the sewage system to which the notice relates.
(3) When undertaking an inspection required under Sentence (1) and (2), the inspector or registered code agency, as the case may be, may consider reports concerning whether the building or part of the building complies with the Act or this Code.
(4) The time periods referred to in Sentences (1) and (2) shall begin on the day following the day on which the notice is given.
(5) The time periods referred to in Sentences (1) and (2) shall not include Saturdays, holidays, or all other days when the offices of the principal authority are not open for the transaction of business with the public.
Building Code Commission Contact for Time Period Disputes for Permit Processing and for Site Inspection:
Nella Auciello, Secretary
Building Code Commission
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Building & Development Branch
777 Bay St., 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5
Telephone: 416-585-6645
Fax: 416-585-7531
Email: nella.auciello2.@ontario.ca
If you want to share a compliment please email talktobuilding@toronto.ca.