Below is a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about mandatory electronic submission of applications, electronic review of applications and the issuance of building permits, as well as electronic signatures and stamps.
Toronto Building has an electronic plan review process. As a result, permit applications are processed electronically. If an application is approved, the permit will be issued in PDF format and sent to the applicant in an electronic format.
The applicant must print the documents and drawings which form the Building Permit and keep them on the construction site.
No. Permits related to projects applied for prior to November 12, 2012, will still be processed and issued on paper. For example, mechanical, plumbing and conditional permits that are part of a project applied for before the date noted above will still be issued on paper.
Yes, all new FASTRACK projects will be issued electronically.
Yes, one reference set of drawings is still required in addition to the electronic submission package.
The reference set of drawings is a full-scale set.
Your permit will be issued in PDF format via email. If the permit package is less then 10MB, it will be attached to the email sent to the Applicant, provided all the fees have been paid. If the permit package is greater than 10MB, a secure link will be included in the email to the applicant to allow the permit package to be downloaded.
The permit placard, drawings and supporting documents must be printed (full-sized and in colour) and kept on site for the Inspector. The permit placard must be displayed in a conspicuous place on the construction site.
FASTRACK applications must be submitted electronically. However, in some cases, documents such as forms, reports, specifications and calculations will be acceptable, but only if they have a maximum dimension of 11″ X 17″.
You can email your application if it is eligible. Check our Detailed Email Submission page to see which applications are eligible. Otherwise, you need to apply in person at the Building Department.
For in-person applications, all forms, reports, specifications, calculations, plans and drawings must be submitted electronically on a re-writable DVD or USB drive. One set of full-scale paper drawings is required until the transition to full electronic processing is complete.
All applicants including homeowners are required to provide the required information electronically on a rewritable DVD or USB drive. Applications that do not meet the submission guidelines will not be accepted.
If you do not have an electronic copy, you can either request an electronic copy from the designer or have the drawings scanned at a copy centre.
Toronto Building will only scan 11″ X 17″ drawings submitted as part of a FASTRACK application.
When an additional form is required to be filled out at the counter, the completed form will be scanned by Toronto Building staff.
Applications with multiple forms or drawings missing from the DVD or USB drive will not be scanned by Toronto Building staff.
Yes, they are acceptable, as long as they are scanned at a sufficient resolution (300 dpi in general, 600 dpi where necessary for fine details), and meet all other submission requirements.
An electronic copy of the form is required to be submitted on a re-writable DVD or USB drive. However, because it is only one form, exceptions can be made to accept a hard copy. A paper copy can be filled out at the counter and Toronto Building staff will scan the completed form.
Electronic submission is required for a backwater valve and backflow preventer. Backflow Prevention Information Templates can be found on the Toronto Building’s Form Page.
A digital signature (standard electronic signature) takes the concept of traditional paper-based signing and turns it into an electronic “fingerprint.” This “fingerprint” is unique to both the document and the signer, and binds both of them together.
The digital signature ensures the authenticity of the signer. Any changes made to the document after it is signed invalidate the signature, thereby protecting against forgery and information tampering.
The owner can print and sign the form, and then scan it. Please ensure that the information on the form is accurate and the description is acceptable so that the scanned form can be submitted.
Adobe Reader X is required for forms that need multiple electronic signatures.
Unless drawings are manually drafted, scanning should be avoided as quality suffers and the size of the file increases.
For these reasons, it is preferable that the BCIN stamp and signature be incorporated into the electronic drawings. Adobe PDF-creation software can be used to create custom stamps.