Due to poor air quality conditions, Recreation & Culture programming has been modified for July 15, 2026.
For more information about Air Quality Warnings and ways to mitigate health risks from poor air quality, please visit durham.ca/airquality
Building Services serves the community by ensuring all construction requiring a building permit, meets the standards set out in the Ontario Building Code (OBC). We review and inspect each project from application submission through to the completion of construction.
Applications for building permits, demolition permits, sign permits, plumbing permits, and alternative solutions are either submitted through our Online Application Portal (OAP) or by emailing buildingpermits@ajax.ca. Currently only applications associated with residential properties are accepted on the OAP.
Please see our online Guides to Building Permits. It shows the application forms, drawings and documents that you need to submit for select types of permit applications. Requirements for new dwellings can be found on the Building Permits section of this page.
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Request your free locate online at ON 1 Call or call 1-800-400-2255.
The requirements for building permits differ based on the type of construction and proposed work.
The following documents outline the requirements when applying for a building permit.
Residential driveways are made up of two parts (see Figure 1).
Ajax Residents are permitted to expand their driveways (the portion located on private property) to the maximum width permitted under the Zoning By-Law without any application or payment to the Town.
| CR | R1-A | R1-B | R1-C | R1-D | R1-E | R1-F | R2-A | R2-B | R3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | 7.8 m** | 6.1 m** | 5.6 m** | 5.6 m** | 5.2 m** | 5.2 m** | 5.2 m** | 3.0 m** | 3.0 m** |
*There is no maximum driveway width but driveways and/or parking areas shall not occupy more than 30% of the area of the front yard or more than 10% of the aggregate area of the rear and side yards of any lot.
**A driveway-adjacent walkway is permitted. See the Driveway-Adjacent Walkways section of this page for more information.
Driveway aprons (the portion located on the Town-owned boulevard lands) may also be expanded to the maximum width permitted under the Zoning By-Law, subject to meeting the following setbacks:
Residential properties are limited to having a single driveway access, except in the Country Residential (CR) Zone, where two driveway accesses may be permitted if all other requirements are met.
Driveway widths exceeding the maximum listed in the Zoning By-Law can be considered via a Minor Variance application (Note: Variances to Maximum Apron Width will not be considered). The Town also permits the construction of walkways at-grade alongside driveways, which was previously not permitted (see Driveway-Adjacent Walkways section of this page for more information).
Residents are now permitted to construct “Driveway-Adjacent Walkways” (see Figure 2) along both sides of their driveways without any application or payment to the Town, provided they meet all applicable requirements.
These walkways are permitted to run along the entire length of the driveway through both private property and the Town-owned boulevard lands. Walkways on the side of the driveway closest to the main entrance of the house can be up to 1.8 metres in width, while walkways on the opposite side of the driveway can be up to 0.6 metres in width.
Where a driveway-adjacent walkway extends through the Town-owned boulevard lands, it must meet all required setbacks as listed in the Driveway and Apron Widening section of this page.
Driveway-adjacent walkways on the Town-owned boulevard lands must also:
On private property, where a driveway-adjacent walkway adjoins another walkway or area of at-grade hard landscaping, the connection point between the two surfaces cannot exceed 1.5 m (see Figure 3).
Residents looking to widen the depressed portion of their curb can submit a Curb Cut Application to the Town. All curb cut applications must be supported by a Curb Cut Concept Drawing (see Figure 4) that visually demonstrates all aspects of the proposal.
Curb cuts will be considered up to the maximum width permitted under the Zoning By-Law. Only the Town and contractors hired by the Town are permitted to cut the curb.
Applications are reviewed by Operations and Environmental Services. This process takes 10 business days for review, but incomplete applications may take longer. Approved curb cut applications will require additional time (typically 10-15 business days) for work to commence by Operations and Environmental Services and their contractor(s).
All construction drawings for the permit application are required to be prepared byending on the building description and scope of work.
The OBC requires qualified and registered designers who review and take responsibility for design activities to include the following information on any documents submitted to the Chief Building Official:
The OBC specified when a project is required to be designed and reviewed by an architect, professional engineer, or both. When the construction requires an architect and/or professional engineer the person retained is responsible for the following:
We have created guides for the most common residential building permit applications to help residents understand the building permit application process. Each guide provides an application form, documents checklist and sample drawings. The sample drawings are intended to be used for reference only and cannot be submitted with your application.
* Updated building guide coming soon.
To simplify the building permit process and help applicants submit a complete application the most common forms are provided below:
When you have a building permit it is your responsibility to arrange for the required inspections listed on the back of your permit card. Inspections must be completed as required by the Ontario Building Code.
Ensure your permit card is posted at all times during construction or demolition in a visible location on the property for which the permit is issued. One copy of the approved permit drawings and documents is to stay on the property and be available to the building inspector.
Work on your building permit must start within six months of the issued date listed on the permit card and must be completed within one year of the issued date.
When requesting an inspection please give at least 24 hours notice and provide the following information: