Building Permit Application Pre-Check

Addressing potential issues earlier may improve the quality and completeness of your application, reduce requests for additional information or resubmissions and support a faster first review.  

The AI Pre-Check tool compares your application documents against a defined set of rules, requirements and bylaws within the pilot’s scope. It provides feedback before you formally submit your application. 

The tool looks for: 

• missing plans, forms or supporting documents 
• incomplete or inconsistent information 
• potential issues involving application requirements, zoning or the Ontario Building Code 
• items that may require further attention 
• compliance with electronic submission guidelines 

The tool will generate a report summarizing the results and findings, which you can use to revise your application documents before submitting them to the City.  

The tool also allows you to provide additional information during the process if you believe something has been incorrectly flagged as missing. 

The AI Pre-Check tool does not guarantee a particular review time or permit approval. City staff will still conduct a full review of every application. 

The AI Pre-Check pilot is open to all applicants with an eligible project. The scope of the pilot currently includes: 

• residential buildings containing two dwelling units or fewer 
• additions and alterations to these buildings 
• accessory structures, such as garden suites, laneway suites, decks, porches and detached garages 

Depending on your project, the tool can provide a limited, advisory pre-check of: 

• some Ontario Building Code requirements for residential building permit applications 
• zoning and applicable law requirements for Zoning Applicable Law Certificate (ZAP) reviews involving properties in Residential Detached (RD) and Residential Multiple (RM) zones 

Use the City’s Interactive Zoning Bylaw Map to check what zoning rules apply to your property.  

If your project is not eligible, you can still use the City’s regular building permit application process. 

The AI Pre-Check tool is hosted on CivCheck, a third-party website. You will need to create an account using your name and email address and identify your role, such as property owner, design professional or contractor. 

Before you begin:

• Review and accept the Terms of Service
• Confirm that your project is eligible.
• Review the City’s Building Permit Application Guides and Electronic Submission Guidelines to determine which plans, forms and documents are required. 
• Gather the plans, forms and supporting documents you want reviewed. 
• Save your documents as readable, unlocked PDF files. Password-protected files cannot be reviewed. 
• Have your property address, permit type and expected application submission date available. 
• Be prepared to review and correct information identified or suggested by the tool. 

Upload the most current version of your application documents. The AI Pre-Check tool reviews only the requirements included within the pilot’s scope and may not identify every issue.

Completing the AI Pre-Check does not formally submit your building permit application. You must still submit your application to the City. 

Start the Pre-check

To use the Pre-Check tool, you will leave toronto.ca and be taken to CivCheck, a third-party website where the AI Pre-Check tool is hosted. Follow these steps to use the tool and submit your building permit application:

Step 1: Select the City of Toronto

Choose the City of Toronto from the list of municipalities on CivCheck. 

Step 2: Create an account or sign in

New users will be asked to provide their name, email address and role. 

Step 3: Create a project

Enter the project name, property address, permit type and expected submission date. Review and accept the AI disclaimer. 

Step 4: Upload your documents

Include the plans, forms and supporting documents you want reviewed. 

Step 5: Review your project information

Confirm or correct the file categories, key documents and project details suggested by the tool. 

Step 6: Review the document and formatting checks

Replace files that do not pass the formatting checks and upload any missing documents identified for your project. 

Step 7: Review and address the results

Results are labelled “likely compliant,” “needs attention” or “not compliant.” For an item requiring attention, you can identify where the information appears in your plans, upload a corrected file for another check or explain why the requirement does not apply. 

Step 8: Complete the pre-check

Once you have addressed the results, you will receive your pre-check report, unique pre-check ID and reviewed documents. You will then be redirected to the City’s building permit application system. 

Step 9: Submit your building permit application to the City

Complete and formally submit your application through the City’s system. You will be asked to provide your pre-check ID and PDF report with your submission so City staff can confirm that you completed the AI Pre-Check. Your building permit application is not submitted until you complete this step. 

User Guide

An illustrated user guide is available to assist you in navigating the CivCheck system. The guide details the steps above, as well as providing further information about how the results in the system are displayed and how you can provide additional information to support your application.

The AI Pre-Check tool provides advisory feedback based on a defined set of rules, requirements and bylaws. It does not approve building permit applications, interpret requirements independently or make decisions. City staff conduct a comprehensive review of every application and make all final decisions, whether or not the pre-check is used. 

Information submitted through the AI Pre-Check tool is collected in accordance with the Notice of Collection and in compliance with Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). City data must be stored securely in Canada on a platform pre-approved by the City. The data must be kept separate from other data and encrypted while it is stored and transferred. 

The City completed a security assessment and privacy impact assessment. Any required measures to address findings from these assessments were put in place. 

The City’s approach is guided by its Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework, which prioritizes equity, transparency, privacy and accountability. 

If you need help using the AI Pre-Check tool, review the AI Pre-Check Guide for Applicants, use the chatbot available within the tool or email Toronto Building Customer Experience at bldinquiries@toronto.ca. When emailing the City, include a brief description of your question or issue, the property address, your telephone number and any relevant screenshots or attachments. You can also use this email address to share feedback about your experience with the pre-check.