The Building Permit Application Pre-Check tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help you identify potential issues in eligible residential building permit application documents before you formally submit them to the City. Using the tool is voluntary.
This pilot is designed to help you address issues earlier, improve the quality and completeness of your application and reduce requests for additional information or resubmissions during the City’s review.
The tool does not change the City’s formal application or review requirements, approve permits or replace staff review. City staff will continue to conduct comprehensive technical reviews and make all final decisions, whether or not you use it.
Completing the AI Pre-Check does not formally submit your building permit application. You must still submit your application to the City.
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:
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:
Depending on your project, the tool can provide a limited, advisory pre-check of:
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:
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.
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:
Choose the City of Toronto from the list of municipalities on CivCheck.
New users will be asked to provide their name, email address and role.
Enter the project name, property address, permit type and expected submission date. Review and accept the AI disclaimer.
Include the plans, forms and supporting documents you want reviewed.
Confirm or correct the file categories, key documents and project details suggested by the tool.
Replace files that do not pass the formatting checks and upload any missing documents identified for your project.
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.
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.
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.
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 handled and protected in accordance with the 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.