Tiny Township is one of the best places in Ontario to build… and one of the easiest places to get tripped up if you treat the permit process like “just paperwork.” Between shoreline protections, private septic, lot grading requirements, and the Ontario Building Code (OBC), Tiny rewards a meticulous approach and punishes “we’ll figure it out later.”
This guide gives you a step-by-step roadmap—from the first sketch to the final inspection—so your project moves forward without the classic trio of delays: missing documents, incomplete drawings, and the dreaded “applicable law” surprise.
- Exactly when you need a permit in Tiny—and when you think you don’t
- How Cloudpermit works in 2026, and what “complete application” really means
- Vacant lot requirements: zoning, surveys, grading plans, septic, and development charges
- Additions, decks, garages, bunkies, sheds, containers, and other “it’s just a small project” projects
- Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs/ARUs): basement units and garden suites
- Entrance (driveway) permits, culverts, and the reality of rural roadside drainage
- Inspections and construction milestones: what gets checked and when to call
Tiny is beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and proud of it—so building here is like wearing clean boots into a nice house: totally doable, but don’t stomp in with mud and expect applause.
The fastest permits usually go to people who submit clear drawings, provide all supporting documents, and treat municipal staff like humans (wild concept, I know).
1) Building permit basics in Tiny: what’s required and why
In Tiny, a building permit isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a legal requirement designed to ensure structures are safe and code compliant. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is the main rulebook, but Tiny also applies zoning by-laws, conservation and environmental requirements (especially near the shoreline), and private sewage regulations.
Here’s the simplest way to think about it: a permit exists to confirm you’re building something that won’t fall down, burn down, or accidentally create a safety issue for you, your family, or the next owner. It also protects the Township and your neighbours from drainage problems, non-compliant additions, and structures built too close to setbacks.
When is a permit required?
Your skeleton list is right on the money. In 2026, permits are typically required for:
- New dwellings: any new home, cottage, or dwelling unit.
- Additions: any increase in footprint or height (and often internal changes that affect structure or occupancy).
- Renovations: structural changes, adding bedrooms, or altering plumbing/HVAC systems.
- Specific structures: woodstoves, solar panels above certain sizes, retaining walls above certain heights, and more.
- “Sleeping buildings”: if people sleep in it (bunkie, garden suite, etc.), treat it as permit territory even if it’s small.
When a permit might not be required
Tiny (like most Ontario municipalities) has limited exemptions for small accessory structures—often the classic garden shed under a size threshold. The catch is: the exemption is usually about permits, not about compliance. So even if a structure is exempt from a permit, it must still be built safely and comply with zoning requirements.
Builder humour break: the most expensive phrase in construction is still “my buddy said we don’t need a permit.” Your buddy is great. Your buddy will not be there if the Township orders changes later.
2) Online vs. in-person submissions: Cloudpermit is the real process either way
In 2026, Tiny prefers Cloudpermit. It’s a cloud-based portal that lets you submit drawings, track status, receive comments, and book inspections. If you like order and paper trails, Cloudpermit is your new best friend. If you dislike computers… you’ll still end up in the computer, because in-person submissions are typically uploaded into the same system.
Start, save, and submit applications anytime; invite your architect/designer/contractor to upload drawings directly; and receive updates by email. It’s built for real projects where multiple people touch the paperwork.
Cost note: Your skeleton notes a 5% convenience fee for online credit card payments. Budget it in—especially if you’re paying big fees.
You can still submit at the Administrative Centre. Bring an email address, because communications and results are handled digitally. Paper drawings have size limits (your skeleton: no larger than 11” × 17”), and bigger sets usually must be submitted digitally anyway.
The secret to faster review
Whether you submit online or in-person, speed comes down to completeness and clarity: clear plans, correct supporting documents, and no missing pieces. Most permit delays aren’t because Tiny is “slow.” They’re because someone forgot a grading plan, a survey, or a septic review…and then the file sits until it’s complete.
3) Building on a vacant lot: the highest scrutiny (and the smartest place to be prepared)
Vacant lots are exciting. They also trigger the full checklist: zoning confirmation, a proper survey, grading plans, driveway/entrance planning, private sewage considerations, and development charges. Tiny’s shoreline and environmental protections mean that “close to the Bay” often comes with extra requirements.
Start with zoning (before you fall in love with the floor plan)
A zoning review confirms your proposed house fits the permitted “envelope” for that lot: setbacks, lot coverage, height, and permitted uses. In plain English: zoning answers “Can I build what I want, where I want, on this lot?”
If you’re buying a lot, zoning is step one because it’s the cheapest mistake to avoid. It’s much better to find out early that your dream design needs adjustments than to discover it after you’ve paid for detailed drawings and engineering.
Survey (OLS): not optional for serious builds
Your skeleton correctly notes that a survey from an Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS) is mandatory for vacant lots. Surveys confirm boundaries, building location, and other critical site features. On waterfront or near-water lots, survey details can include flood hazard lines or contour information that affects what can be built and where.
Development charges (2026): budget them early
Development charges are the one-time “growth fees” paid at the time of permit issuance. Your skeleton provides realistic anchors: Municipal charges, County of Simcoe charges, and school board charges. The exact amounts depend on by-laws and category, but the big lesson is constant: it’s a significant cost, and it arrives before you build.
| Category | Budget anchor (approx.) | Builder’s comment |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal charge | ~$10,046 | Confirm current by-law at time of permit issuance. |
| County of Simcoe | ~$14,975 | County charges can change; check the current schedule. |
| School boards (combined) | ~$6,083 | Often overlooked. Don’t let it sneak up on your budget. |
| Estimated total | ~$31,000+ | This is why “permit issuance day” can feel like a mini mortgage closing. |
4) Additions and accessory structures: “small project” doesn’t mean “no rules”
Tiny is the land of detached garages, bunkies, workshops, sheds, and decks. The lifestyle practically demands them. But “accessory” doesn’t mean “unregulated.” The Township still needs to confirm safety, setbacks, structural integrity, and—very often—private sewage capacity if the project changes how the property is used.
Additions: septic review is the gatekeeper
Any addition that increases occupancy, adds bedrooms, or changes plumbing often triggers a sewage system review. Tiny does not have municipal sewers, so your private system must be capable of handling the new load. Your skeleton mentions contacting the Township’s sewage authority (approval agent) for confirmation.
Practical advice: if you are planning an addition, get the septic question answered early. If the system needs upgrading, that will affect design, schedule, and cost. The earlier you know, the smoother the project runs.
Accessory structures: sheds, garages, shipping containers, and bunkies
Your skeleton notes a common threshold: permits required if a shed/container is over 161 sq. ft (15 m²). But there’s an even bigger rule in practice: use matters. If it’s for sleeping (bunkie), expect a permit regardless of size because life safety requirements apply.
Great for storage. But place them correctly: setbacks, drainage, and access still matter. “It fits in the yard” is not the same as “it meets zoning.”
If it’s for sleeping, treat it as a real building: exits, fire safety, structural requirements. Calling it a “shed” while putting a bed in it is like calling a hot tub a “bathtub.” Nice try.
Decks: the most underestimated permit topic
Deck permits depend on factors like height above grade and attachment to the house. Your skeleton notes permits are required if the deck is more than 2 feet above grade or attached to the house. Decks also introduce guard requirements, stair geometry, structural sizing, and lateral support. They look simple—until you do them right.
Estimated permit costs for “minor” structures (decks/sheds) are often a few hundred dollars (your skeleton: around $275+). That’s cheap insurance compared to rebuilding a non-compliant deck after the fact.
5) Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs/ARUs): basement units and garden suites
Tiny allows additional residential units to address housing needs and support multigenerational living. These units are a fantastic option—but they’re also code-heavy. Fire separation, sound separation, and safe exits are not “nice ideas.” They are core requirements.
Inside the house: basement apartments
Converting a basement to an apartment is often possible, but it needs careful planning. The biggest pinch points are typically: egress windows (proper size and location), fire separations (rated assemblies), and HVAC/plumbing changes. If you’re adding a bedroom, you’re also potentially triggering septic capacity review.
Detached units: garden suites
Your skeleton notes that detached garden suites are typically allowed but may require a Temporary Use By-law (often valid up to 20 years), and they should share well/septic services where possible. Planning for a garden suite is like planning a second small house: site placement, setbacks, access, services, and safe exit design all matter.
Parking is also part of the conversation. Your skeleton notes at least one dedicated off-street parking space for the additional unit. This matters in Tiny because seasonal properties and visitors can turn a driveway into a friendly game of automotive Tetris.
6) Entrance permits (driveways): before equipment arrives, get the “yes”
Before you drive equipment onto a property, you may need an Entrance Permit from Public Works. This permit exists to ensure safe sightlines, proper roadside drainage, and that the Township’s road infrastructure isn’t damaged. On rural roads, drainage is serious business—culverts exist for a reason, and that reason is “spring melt.”
Your skeleton provides a simple process that matches real life: you stake out the proposed driveway location; the Township reviews it for sightlines and drainage; and they determine if a culvert is required. If a culvert is required, it’s typically at the owner’s expense, sometimes with a security deposit to ensure the road and ditch are protected.
7) Lot grading: protecting the watershed (and your basement)
Tiny takes water seriously—and rightly so. Lot grading ensures rainwater and runoff don’t flood neighbours, damage roads, or carry sediment into Georgian Bay. It also protects your foundation (or slab) from water-related issues that can turn a beautiful home into a permanent dehumidifier showroom.
Why Tiny wants a grading plan
A professional grading plan shows how water will move across the site after construction. It addresses downspout locations, driveway slopes, swales, and the overall direction of runoff. Done well, it prevents headaches. Done poorly, it creates them—usually in the spring.
Your skeleton notes a $5,000 lot grading deposit. The Township holds it until the final inspection confirms grading matches the plan. Think of it as “grading compliance collateral.” It’s refundable when the job is done correctly.
8) The building phase: inspections you must schedule (don’t guess—call)
Once the permit is issued, you’re in the “build-and-verify” phase. Under the OBC, you are legally required to notify the Township for inspections at certain milestones. Miss an inspection, and you can be forced to expose work (translation: remove finished materials) so it can be inspected. Nobody enjoys paying twice for the same drywall.
How to avoid inspection delays
Keep drawings and permit information on site, keep key areas accessible, and don’t bury critical details behind finished materials. Inspection time is not the moment to say, “We covered that up yesterday.”
Book inspections with reasonable notice, be available for questions, and respond quickly if the Township requests clarification. Fast replies often prevent slow files.
9) Summary of estimated costs (2026): what to budget for early
Permit costs vary by scope, but there are several predictable, repeated costs that show up for many Tiny Township projects. Here are your skeleton anchors, organized into a practical planning table. (As always: confirm current fees with the Township at the time of application.)
| Item | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New home development charges | $31,100+ | One-time growth fees at permit issuance (municipal + county + school boards). |
| Lot grading deposit | $5,000 (refundable) | Held until grading matches the plan and final sign-off occurs. |
| Minor permit (deck/shed) | $275+ | Varies with scope; check fee schedules for exact amounts. |
| Entrance permit | ~$150 | Culvert (if required) is extra; may require a security deposit. |
| Sewage system review (Tatham) | $260–$500 | Depends on complexity; required when changes affect sewage capacity. |
| Cloudpermit credit card fee | 5% of total | Budget this if paying large fees online. |
10) A simple, reliable permit roadmap (the one you’ll actually use)
If you want the cleanest path through the permit process, follow this order. It keeps your project from bouncing back and forth between departments and revisions.
And here’s the final builder truth: Tiny’s process isn’t out to get you. It’s designed to protect shoreline areas, keep drainage responsible, and ensure structures are safe. If you respect the process and submit complete information, it generally runs smoothly. If you fight it, you’ll spend more time arguing with gravity, water, and paperwork than actually building.
Friendly disclaimer: This guide is practical education, not legal advice. Exact requirements and fees can change. Confirm the current checklists, by-laws, and fee schedules with Tiny Township during your application.