Alnwick-Haldimand Building Permit Office

1. 1

   Confirm Planning and Zoning Compliance

   Projects that require zoning relief, a minor variance, rezoning, site plan approval or another Planning Act approval should be addressed with the Township’s Planning Department before the building permit can proceed.

2. 2

   Prepare the Project-Specific Permit Package

   The Township publishes different document and drawing requirements for houses, additions, decks, accessory buildings, renovations, demolitions and other project types. The required package should be assembled for the specific work proposed.

3. 3

   Submit the Building Permit Online

   The current Citywide portal accepts building permit applications and supporting documents and provides applicants with online access to application progress and updates.

Alnwick/Haldimand publishes separate requirements for common projects rather than using one identical submission package for every permit. The Township’s building page should be checked against the specific project before an application is submitted.

• Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish where required
• Schedule 1: Designer Information for applicable projects
• Applicable Law checklist where listed by the Township
• Site sketches or site plans showing the proposed work and required site information
• Building drawings appropriate to the project, such as floor plans, elevations or cross sections
• Additional project-specific documents such as plumbing information, grading and drainage plans or an Energy Efficiency Design Summary when required

For example, the Township identifies grading and drainage information as part of its house permit requirements, while applications for decks and accessory structures require site information showing the proposed structure in relation to property lines and other buildings. Requirements should therefore be taken from the Township’s current project-specific instructions rather than from a generic permit checklist.

The Township’s Planning Department administers local land-use approvals, including zoning and rezoning applications, minor variances, Official Plan matters, site plan control and other development applications. A building proposal that does not comply with the applicable zoning provisions may require a planning approval before the building permit can be issued.

Private septic permits are not issued by the Alnwick/Haldimand Building Department. Northumberland County reviews the septic plans, issues the permit and conducts septic inspections for properties in the Township.

• Septic applications:
  Northumberland County provides its own online permit portal for septic applications, payment, status tracking, inspection scheduling and inspection results.
• Plumbing applications:
  Plumbing permit applications are directed through the local municipality, while County officials perform the plumbing plan review and inspections.
• Existing septic systems:
  A proposed addition, renovation or other project that increases loading on a private septic system may also require a County sewage disposal system review.