# Do I need a permit to remove a wall in Hamilton?

> Removing or adding a wall in a Hamilton home, load bearing or not, needs a building permit. Beams, lintels, new openings and who draws a renovation like it.

- Canonical HTML: https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/removing-a-wall/
- Section: Home > Guides > Removing a wall
- Business: JDT Construction Inc., Hamilton, ON, Canada (serves Hamilton)
- Phone: (905) 818-0106 | Email: johnny@jdtconstruction.ca
- Page updated: 2026-11-05

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Guides

Yes, in Hamilton even when it is not load bearing. The City's list of work that needs a building permit includes adding or removing walls, load bearing and non-load bearing, beams and lintels, new or larger door and window openings, and new rooms. A bearing wall's load moves to a beam, posts and footings shown on the drawings. JDT Construction plans that before any wall comes out.

## What does the City list?

These items are on the City's list of interior work that needs a building permit [(City of Hamilton, Building Permit, read November 5, 2026)](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/construction-renovation/residential-building-renovation/building-permit):

**Interior structural work that needs a City of Hamilton building permit**

| Work | On the City list as |
| --- | --- |
| Taking out or adding a wall | “adding or removing walls (non-load bearing and load bearing), beams and lintels” |
| A new doorway or window, or a bigger one | “creating new door or window openings or increasing the size of openings” |
| Moving a door or window | “relocating door or window openings” |
| A new room or a changed layout | “relocating rooms/creation of new rooms” |
| Repairing a beam, joists or subfloor | “repairs to structural members” |

## Why does a bearing wall matter?

Because it holds up the floor or roof above it. Take it out and the load has to go somewhere: into a beam, down posts, onto footings big enough to carry it. The permit drawings show each of those, and the City's plan reviewer checks them against the Ontario Building Code before the permit is issued. An inspector then sees the framing before it is covered ([the inspections on a build](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/inspections/)).

## Who draws it?

The owner, or a designer qualified and, where required, registered under the Building Code; the City's guidance is to hire one if you are not familiar with the rules [(City of Hamilton, Hiring a Designer For Building Permit Drawings, read November 5, 2026)](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/construction-renovation/residential-building-renovation/hiring-designer-building). [Who may draw the permit drawings](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/designers/) covers BCIN designers and when an engineer stamps the work.

## What if the wall is already gone?

Then the City can order a permit for work already done, and the inspector may need to see inside the ceiling. [Building without a permit](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/building-without-a-permit/) has the City's list of consequences. In a basement the same rules apply: [finishing a basement](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/basement-permit/).

## How does JDT handle it?

The change is drawn on the house first, the beam and posts are part of the written proposal, and the work is paid in stages. More in [renovations](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/builds/renovations/). Under JDT Construction Inc.'s agreement the homeowner applies for the permit and pays the City's fees; [who applies for a building permit](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/building-permits/) explains how that works.

Published by JDT Construction Inc., Hamilton. Updated November 5, 2026. Free to share and quote, with a link back to this page.

## Opening up a room?

Send photos of the wall from both sides. JDT draws the change and prices it in one written proposal.

[Call (905) 818-0106](tel:+19058180106) [Request a quote](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/request/?problem=renovation)

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JDT Construction Inc. Call (905) 818-0106. Full site: https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/