Home construction in Thunder Bay April 2023 (Adam Riley/Acadia Broadcasting)

Thunder Bay has expanded its Property and Permits Portal to accept all types of residential building permit applications.

Contractors and homeowners can now apply and pay for all residential building permits online, making it easier to build and develop in the city.

The expanded system also allows users to track the progress of building permits submitted through the portal, and allows the public to search for work taking place in their neighbourhood.

Before the launch, contractors and homeowners had to bring paper documentation into the Development Services office during business hours or submit their plans via an email system.

“The upgrade to the Portal allows all of our customers to use a completely digital system,” said the city’s Director of Development Services Joel DePeuter. “Our customers have been asking for a fully digital system, so they can apply for a building permit where they are when they want.”

Building permits are required for virtually all construction activities in the city, including changes to plumbing systems, and demolitions.

Users can create an account and fill in the required information for their specific building permit. Additional required documents, such as drawings can also be uploaded as well.

The new permit types now available on the Portal include:

• New houses and additions
• Small multi-unit dwellings/apartments and additions (less than 600 sq. m. or 3 storeys)
• Demolition
• Additional building systems (sprinkler/standpipe, HVAC, fire alarm, flat roof replacement)

Permits already online include accessory buildings, decks, woodstoves, swimming pool fences and plumbing alterations.