Building & Sign Permits

A building permit is required for construction projects that are governed by the Building Code, including renovation work, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing and swimming pools. For more information, review By-law #23-2006.

The Town's Sign By-law requires a permit for the erection of signs.

On this page:

1. Apply for a permit
2. Create an account
3. Cloudpermit tutorial video
4. Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

Apply for a permit

You can apply for a building or sign permit through Cloudpermit.

This online tool allows you to see the status of your application anywhere, any time. You can start an application and finish it later and you will receive updates by email on the status of your permit applications.

How to create and account or request an inspection

Create a Cloudpermit account

You will need to create an account to start using Cloudpermit. An email address is required to create an account. 

• Go to the Cloudpermit account login page.
• Click on Register.
• Provide your email address.
• Cloudpermit will send an email to the address you have provided. Open the email and complete the registration process.

Remember your email and password for the future as you will need those to access the site again.

Start a new building application through Cloudpermit

• Log in to Cloudpermit.
• Click New Application at the top of the screen
• Follow the steps on the screen. If you need help at any time while creating the application, click the NoVa button at the top right-hand corner. 

Pay for a building permit

A bill will be produced in Cloudpermit once the permit has been reviewed and issued. You will receive an email once the permit has been issued and you will see the bill.

The balance owing can be paid in person by cheque, debit or cash at the Municipal Operations Centre (408 James Street South) during business hours. Cheques can also be placed in the drop box beside the doors of the Municipal Operations Centre (MOC).

Cheques can also be mailed to the Municipal Operations Centre (MOC)

Attention: Building and Development Department
408 James St S.
P.O. Box 998
St. Marys ON N4X 1B6

You can also pay using online banking. Use Town of St. Marys-General as the payee and the building permit number as the account number with additional zeros to the end to get a 9-digit account number (e.g. Permit # STM-2021-1 would be 202110000 for online banking). It can take 3-5 business days for online payments to be received and processed.

Once you have received your permit and the work is underway, you will require building inspectors to visit your site and sign-off on your work at various points in the project. You can request these inspections through Cloudpermit. 

• To book an inspection, log in to Cloudpermit and select Go to Project under the project requiring an inspection. Then select the application by clicking on the address. 
• A page will pop up with the details of your project’s location. At the bottom of that page you’ll see the heading Work & Construction and a box entitled Inspections. Click on Show Upcoming Inspections and select Request Inspection under the building element you are ready to have reviewed. 
• Under the New Inspection Request box that pops up, select the date and time you would like to request. Inspection requests must be made one business day in advance, and inspections are conducted in the morning or afternoons. You’ll see the unconfirmed request listed. Once staff receive the request, you will receive an email confirmation for the inspection. 

Note: If you need to change the date or time, or cancel the request, select Modify Request. 

Cloudpermit tips

• Dashboard: At any point of your application process you can return to the My Dashboard page to see which application you have made and if any further information is required to process your application.
• Delete: You can delete your application at any time by using the Selection Action drop-down menu at the top of the page.
• If you need help with an application that has not been submitted yet, send a message in the message portal on Cloudpermit such as “I need help”. Once the message is sent, someone from the Building Department can access your application and walk you through it.

Cloudpermit support

• Visit Cloudpermit's Support page for more answers to commonly asked questions.
• Contact the Building and Development Department for help during business hours by phone 519-284-2340, ext. 221 or email.