Applications, Licences and Permits | Municipality of Brighton

If you are planning to construct a new building, alter, or change the use of an existing building, please confirm your Zoning requirements by completing the Development Enquiry Form prior to completing a Building Permit Application.

A building permit is your formal permission to begin construction or demolition. It means that the Municipality has reviewed the plans for any new structure, addition or renovation.

Be sure to contact Ontario One Call or phone 1-800-400-2255 to request locates on any buried infrastructure on the property. They will identify where you can safely dig prior to your construction project.

Septic Systems

Please contact the County of Northumberland. Northumberland County reviews plans, issues permits and performs inspections for septic systems. Please contact them through this web page link.

What construction projects need building permits?

You may need to obtain a building permit before you do any of the following (each project requires a separate permit if performing more then one project at a time):

Construct a new building
Gazebos or Pergolas over 108 square feet (10 square metres)
Sheds or Garages over 161 square feet (15 square metres), with or without plumbing lines and fixtures
Install an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool
Renovation, repairs or an addition to a building
Demolish or remove all or a portion of a building
Change a building’s use
Make new openings for or enlarge existing doors and windows
Building a garage, balcony, porch or deck or enclose an existing deck
Excavate a basement or construct a foundation
Install or modify any life safety or fire suppression system, such as fire alarms, sprinkler or standpipe or fixed extinguishing systems
Install or renovate plumbing
Finish a basement or convert a room to a bedroom
Erect temporary buildings (including tents over 30 square metres)
Solar Panels attached to a roof
If you do not see your project listed, or are unsure if you need a permit, please call the Building Department at 613-475-1162 extension 111

What construction projects do not need building permits?

You do not require a building permit to work on:

Gazebos or Pergolas under 108 square feet (10 square metres)
Sheds or Garages (for storage uses only to the principle building on the lot), be under 161 square foot (15 square metres), have only 1 storey in building height, be not attached to any other structure, and will not have any plumbing. However, they must comply with the Zoning By-law.
Kitchen cupboards and counter-tops when there are no plumbing modifications
Flooring on existing sub-floors
Interior & exterior trim and painting
New exterior siding
Landscaping
Re-shingling a roof
Driveways (pavement, inter-locking stone, concrete, etc.)
Washroom vanity with no plumbing modifications
Window and door replacement with no modifications to existing openings

Building Permit Applications

To request copies of the current Building Applications for the following, please use the online Application Request Form.

New Residential (Long Version)
Renovation (Short Version)
Accessory Building (Garage or Shed)
Decks and Deck Design Guide
Pools
Demolition

Building Permit Package Components

Commitment to General Review By Architect and Engineers
Energy Efficiency Design Summary
Plumbing and Septic Inspection via County of Northumberland

Letter of Compliance

Work order, zoning and agreement information letters are often requested during the course of a real estate transaction. Letters of compliance provide the following information: Current zoning, Compliance with zoning provisions and setbacks if a current survey is provided, Status of building permits on file, Status of any work orders on the property, Tax Certificate, and Fire Department work orders.

Motor vehicle and propane exchange zoning information letters are usually requested to support the regulatory licensing applications.

To request a Compliance letter, you can use this request form link or with this request form.

Municipality of Brighton Parks Development Manual - 2022

Northumberland County Affordable Housing Capital Grant Program Guidelines 2021

Complaint Form

Refreshment Vehicle Application Form - To request a copy of the current Refreshment Vehicle application, please use the online Application Request Form to receive the current application.

Short-Term Accommodations (STA's)

Sign Permit Application Form - To request a copy of the current Sign Permit application, please use the online Application Request Form to receive the current application.

Dog Tag Registration Form

To request a copy of the following Engineering Guidelines and Drawings, please contact John Gooding, Manager of Capital Infrastructure at 613-475-1162, ext. 102 or by email.

Engineering Design Guidelines
Sample drawing of 20 metre Right of Way (ROW)
Sample drawing of 23 metre Right of Way (ROW)
Sample drawing of Driveway Entrance
Sample drawing of Service Connection

Please view the Festivals, Events and Activities page for current events.

Please contact the Fire Department Office at 613-475-1744 for Emergency Notification Self-Registration Form

For Burn Permits-https://brighton.burnpermits.com/

Prior to submitting an application, please complete a Development Enquiry Form to confirm compliance with applicable planning policies. Once evaluated, the appropriate and most current application will be emailed to you by the Planning staff.

To complete a Request of Information for a property or a Compliance Letter, complete online at this link https://forms.brighton.ca/Finance-Forms/Property-Information-Request-Form.

For Zoning By-law information on your property, refer to this web page. For Official Plan information on your property, refer to this web page.

Applications and Agreements must be submitted as a paper copy and be reviewed by the Municipal Planner.

Additional Lower Trent Conservation Fees for Planning Applications may apply.
Additional County Fees for Planning Applications may apply to Consent, Official Plan Amendment, and Subdivision Applications.

For information and forms for the Ontario Land Tribunal click here.

Entrance Permit Application

To request a copy of the current Entrance Application, please use the online Application Request Form.

If you have questions, please contact Brock Brunton-Elliott, Development Services Tech, 613-475-1162, ext. 125 or by email.