Project definition
Property information, intended work and municipal requirements are confirmed.
Building permit drawings and engineering.
Coordinated drawings and engineering for residential and commercial work, carried from first review through municipal comments.
What a complete permit package may need.
A permit is rarely just a drawing. Structure, life safety, zoning, mechanical systems, electrical service and plumbing can all shape what the municipality needs to review.
Kernel brings those requirements into a coordinated direction so the package is clear before it reaches the plans examiner.
Selected permit projects.
Examples of the drawings, site conditions and engineering decisions involved in different project types.
How permit work moves forward.
The exact deliverables depend on the project and municipality, but the direction stays disciplined from start to finish.
Site review
Existing conditions are measured, photographed and assessed in context.
Coordinated design
Structural, architectural and building-system requirements are resolved together.
Permit drawings
The submission set is prepared with the required design information and schedules.
Municipal review
Plans-examiner comments are tracked and addressed with the project team.
Construction support
Clarifications and engineering review continue where the approved scope requires them.
Structural design begins with the existing load path.
Openings, additions, underpinning, new levels and equipment loads begin with an accurate understanding of the existing structure.
What a permit package can include.
The written proposal identifies the exact disciplines and deliverables required for the project. A coordinated package commonly includes the following.
Existing conditions
Site measurements, available records and drawings that establish the building before the proposed work.
Architectural drawings
Site or floor plans, elevations, sections, layouts, assemblies and schedules needed to describe the intended work.
Structural design
Foundation, framing, member, connection and alteration drawings supported by the calculations required for the scope.
Building systems
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings, equipment information and schedules where those disciplines are triggered.
Code and zoning information
Applicable zoning, occupancy, life-safety, energy and Ontario Building Code information coordinated into the submission.
Review support
Responses and revised drawings for municipal comments that relate to the agreed design scope.
Permit services by project type.
Each scope is assembled around the code path, approval authority and systems touched by the work.
Renovations and additions
- Rear, side and second-storey additions
- Load-bearing wall alterations
- Basements and secondary units
- Decks, porches and exterior structures
Commercial and restaurants
- Tenant fit-outs and interior alterations
- Restaurant kitchens and exhaust coordination
- Occupancy and life-safety changes
- Equipment support and service upgrades
Zoning and change of use
- Zoning review and applicable-law coordination
- Change-of-use permit packages
- Existing-building documentation
- Support through municipal comments
Mechanical systems
- Heating, cooling and ventilation design
- Commercial exhaust and make-up air
- Equipment selection and layouts
- Coordination with architectural plans
Electrical systems
- Power, lighting and service design
- Panel and equipment schedules
- Emergency and life-safety coordination
- Permit-ready electrical drawings
Plumbing systems
- Water, sanitary and vent layouts
- Fixture and equipment coordination
- Commercial kitchen requirements
- Integration with mechanical design
Building permits by project type.
Open the service closest to your project for a detailed definition, engineering scope, typical deliverables, permit considerations and FAQs.
Permit and engineering guide
Basement walkout design and engineering
Permit-ready architectural and structural drawings for a new exterior basement entrance, from the foundation opening to drainage and site coordination.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideAccessory dwelling unit design and engineering
Coordinated drawings for an additional residential unit inside, attached to or associated with an existing property.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideHome addition design and engineering
Architectural, structural and building-system coordination for adding usable space to an existing home.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideGarden suite design and engineering
A coordinated permit package for a detached residential unit planned around the lot, the main house and available services.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideDeck structural design
Permit-ready drawings for foundations, framing, connections, stairs and guards designed around the house and site.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideLoad-bearing wall removal engineering
Site review, beam and support design, and permit drawings for opening an interior wall without losing the load path above it.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideUnderpinning and basement lowering engineering
Foundation design and staged construction drawings for gaining basement height while maintaining support of the existing house.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideCustom home design and engineering
Architectural and multidisciplinary engineering coordinated as one permit-ready building design.
View service ↗Permit and engineering guideCommercial fit-out engineering and permits
Coordinated permit drawings for tenant improvements, restaurants, offices, retail and changes of use.
View service ↗Building permit FAQs
Answers about permit drawings, disciplines, municipal review and what to prepare before design begins.
What is a building permit package?
It is the coordinated set of drawings, design information, calculations, schedules and forms required for municipal review of a defined project. The exact disciplines depend on the building, use and proposed work.
Which projects commonly need a building permit?
Additions, structural alterations, basement walkouts, additional units, decks, underpinning, new buildings, commercial fit-outs and changes of use commonly require permits. Requirements are determined by the municipality and applicable law for the actual project.
Does Kernel submit the permit application?
Submission and municipal coordination can be included when stated in the proposal. Whether Kernel, the owner or another representative acts as applicant is confirmed before the application is made.
Are architectural and engineering drawings included together?
They can be. Kernel defines whether the package includes architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work so the owner knows exactly which disciplines and deliverables are included.
How long does permit approval take?
Kernel can provide an anticipated design timeline, but municipal review depends on the authority, project type, completeness, other approvals and review comments. Approval timing cannot be guaranteed by the designer.
What happens when the plans examiner sends comments?
Kernel reviews and responds to comments that relate to its agreed design scope. A comment can require clarification, revised drawings, information from another party or an additional service if it falls outside the original scope.
Can construction start after the application is submitted?
A submitted application does not by itself authorize construction. The owner and contractor must follow the municipality’s permit requirements and any conditions on issued approvals.
What should I send for a permit quote?
Send the address, a description or sketch of the proposed work, survey and existing drawings if available, photographs, intended use and any municipal or consultant correspondence already received.
Ready to plan the permit work?
Municipal approval remains the authority’s decision. Our role is to prepare a complete, coordinated submission and respond clearly when the plans examiner needs more information.
Start a permit enquiry