How does the City work the fee out?
With one formula. The City's fee schedule says Permit Fee = SI x A
, where SI is the service index for the kind of work and A is floor area in m 2 of work involved
(City of Hamilton, Building Permit Fees, read November 5, 2026). Fees are rounded to the nearest dollar and are subject to HST where it applies. Where no new floor area is made, the fee is 1% of the value of the work as set by the Chief Building Official, still subject to the minimum.
What are the rates for work on a house?
| Work | Fee |
|---|---|
| Detached, semi-detached or row house | $18.32 per m² |
| Additional dwelling unit in an existing house | $515 flat |
| Detached additional dwelling unit in the rear yard | $1,030 flat |
| Deck, balcony, open porch, stairs | $5.36 per m² |
| Garage, storage shed | $6.58 per m² |
| New basement, cold cellar | $6.58 per m² |
| Finishing a basement | $4.06 per m² |
| Backwater valve (on its own) | $291 flat |
| Foundation permit, house under Part 9 of the Building Code | $453 flat, on top of the permit |
| New water or sewer service, low density residential | $187 each ($168 with a new building application) |
| Minimum fee for any permit | $291 |
Every figure is from the City's fee page (City of Hamilton, Building Permit Fees, read November 5, 2026). The City sets an additional dwelling unit at a flat fee, so a basement apartment costs the same to permit whatever its size. How to decide between the two kinds is in basement unit or garden suite.
What does that come to on a real job?
Here is the City's formula worked through for round sizes. These are examples, not quotes: the City calculates the actual fee when you apply. For any other size, the permit fee calculator runs the same formula.
| Example | Formula | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| A 20 m² deck | 20 × $5.36 = $107.20 | $291 (the minimum applies) |
| Finishing an 80 m² basement | 80 × $4.06 = $324.80 | $325 |
| A 40 m² detached garage | 40 × $6.58 = $263.20 | $291 (the minimum applies) |
| A 200 m² new house | 200 × $18.32 = $3,664 | $3,664, plus any foundation, water and sewer fees |
Are there costs besides the permit fee?
Often. A minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment has its own fee, explained in when you need a minor variance. A new house in Hamilton also pays development charges under the City's Development Charges By-law 24-072, which the City collects with the permit. And if work is not ready when an inspector arrives and the inspection was not cancelled, the City says you may be subject to additional fees
(City of Hamilton, Building Inspections, read November 5, 2026). The 2026 to 2027 rates are in development charges.
When is the fee paid?
At the start. The City: You must pay permit fees when you submit your Building Permit application.
(City of Hamilton, Building Permit Fees, read November 5, 2026) Where a fee is over $50,000 an applicant may pay 55% at application and the rest when the permit is issued. Under JDT Construction Inc.'s agreement the homeowner applies and pays the City's fees, which who applies for a building permit explains. For which jobs need a permit at all, see renovations and additions.