Is the permit my job or the contractor's?
Yours, unless your contract says otherwise. The Government of Ontario: It's your responsibility to get building permits and meet any legal requirements you'll need to renovate. If you want the contractor to get permits on your behalf, make sure it's spelled out in the contract and don't allow construction to begin until you've seen them.
(Government of Ontario, read November 2, 2026)
The City of Hamilton takes applications by property owner, or agent acting on behalf of the owner through the City of Hamilton's Customer Portal
(City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026). So either can file it; the contract decides who does.
How does JDT handle the permit?
When JDT Construction Inc.'s agreement includes its permits clause, the homeowner submits the application in their own name, pays the permit and municipal fees, and passes the approved permit documents to JDT, unless a written change order says otherwise. JDT provides the project drawings it has and answers the plan examiner's questions about its part of the work. Structural engineering, architectural revisions and specialty design fees are not included unless the agreement adds them in writing.
What does the application need?
Drawings to scale, the fee, and the contractor's licence number. For a porch or deck the City asks for a site plan with the setbacks to every property line, and construction drawings showing the footings, the framing, the stairs, the guards and any roof (City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026). Three City rules catch people out:
Building permit fees must be paid in full at the time of the application.
When you apply for a Building Permit, you must provide the licence number of the contractor who is doing the work.
Plans and drawings must be submitted as vector-based PDFs (not scanned copies).
All three are from the City's application requirements (City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026). How to look a licence up yourself is in how to check a contractor in Hamilton.
Who may draw the plans?
The owner, or a designer who is registered with the province. The City says As the owner, you may design your project and drawings
(City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026). If you pay someone else to draw them, Ontario asks you to check them first in the province's QuARTS public registry: if you cannot find the company or individual in the registry, do not assume they can provide the services needed for your building permit application
(Government of Ontario, read November 2, 2026).
What happens after I apply?
The City reviews it against zoning, other applicable law and the Ontario Building Code, then approves it or tells you what is missing. In the City's words, staff contact you or your agent
when the application is approved, or if it is incomplete or needs more information (City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026). If the plan cannot meet the Zoning By-law, the route is a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment before the permit.
Which inspections does a porch, deck or garage get?
The ones set for your permit, booked as the work reaches each stage. The City lists these stages among others; the pre-construction meeting is where the inspector reviews required inspections for the scope of work
.
| Inspection | When the City wants it | What the City checks |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-construction on-site meeting | Before construction starts | The issued permit documents, any changes, and the required inspections |
| Footing inspection | Before the footings are poured | Formwork and reinforcing for footings, column pads and structural slabs on grade |
| Structural inspection | When the framing is done, before any insulation | All structural parts, and the layout against the approved plans |
| Final inspection | When all the permitted work is complete | The work against the approved permit and the Building Code |
Stages from the City's inspections page (City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026), which also says Inspection requests will be completed within 2 business days as per Ontario Building Code
, and that the permit and the approved drawings must be on site for every inspection.
What if a stage is missed?
The work may have to be opened up again. The City: Failure to get an inspection at the proper stages may require you to uncover work that was completed.
(City of Hamilton, read November 2, 2026) On a deck or porch, that means footings: once concrete is poured and backfilled, nobody can see the depth. Which builds need a permit in the first place is on the pages for decks, covered porches and garages.
Questions about a Hamilton permit go to the City's Building Division at 905-546-2720. To start a build with JDT, send a request.