Thinking about re-roofing, adding a skylight, or installing solar? In Ontario, permits are about safety and compliance—they’re how municipalities enforce the Ontario Building Code, zoning, and other laws. The province’s guide sums it up simply: a permit is required when you construct, renovate, demolish, or change the use of a building. That’s the baseline across Windsor and Essex County. (Ontario “Citizen’s Guide: Building Permits”.)
When a roofing job doesn’t usually need a building permit
Across Ontario, straight shingle replacement (no structural work) is typically treated as maintenance. For example, Toronto’s permit list explicitly says replacing existing roofing material doesn’t need a permit provided no structural work is required—a good indicator of common practice in the province. (“When Do I Need a Building Permit?” → “Not Required,” item 9.)
Tip for homeowners: If we’re just swapping shingles like-for-like and not touching the deck/structure, you’re usually in “no permit” territory. If we find rotten decking or structural issues during tear-off, that can change.
Roofing work that does trigger a building permit
You’re into permit territory when the work alters structure or creates new openings, or when additional systems are added to the roof:
- New openings (e.g., skylights or sun tunnels) that involve structural changes. As an Ontario example, Toronto notes a skylight may be exempt only if it doesn’t require removing more than one rafter/joist and never a truss; beyond that, expect a permit. (Skylight criteria.)
- Dormers, additions, or a changed roofline (structural alterations). (Permit triggers overview.)
- Solar PV on the roof. These projects layer on municipal (structural/zoning) requirements and an Electrical Safety Authority filing—ESA calls this a Notification of Work (electrical permit) for almost all electrical work. See Toronto’s solar permitting overview and ESA’s notification page. (Solar permitting overview • ESA Notification of Work.)
- Heritage properties (designated or in a Heritage Conservation District) often need a Heritage Alteration Permit in addition to any building permit. (Windsor Heritage Alteration Permit.)
Windsor: how to apply (step-by-step)
Windsor’s Building Department accepts building permits online through Cloudpermit. Here’s the quick path you’ll follow (we handle this for you when you hire us):
- Create your Cloudpermit account and start a new application. (How to Apply in Windsor.)
- Upload drawings/attachments (PDF). Windsor’s site lists the typical forms and checklists if they’re applicable (e.g., Application to Construct, Designer Info, etc.). (Application forms list.)
- City review checks Building Code Act, OBC and “applicable law.” (Permit review process.)
- Receive & post your permit on site and keep plans available. (Receive the Permit.)
- Book inspections at key stages—done by the property owner or agent via Cloudpermit/phone. (Inspection Services.)
Fees & payments: Windsor provides a public fee schedule and supports 24/7 online payments through Cloudpermit once the City requests payment in your file. (Fee schedules & online payment info.)
Have questions first? The Building Department can confirm whether your specific roof work needs a permit. (Windsor Building Permits.)
Roadway/sidewalk impacts (dumpsters, material hoists)
If your roofing project needs a bin or equipment on the boulevard or roadway, you’ll also need a Right-of-Way Permit from the City. (Windsor Right-of-Way Permit application (PDF).)
Essex County municipalities: who handles permits (and where to apply)
Outside the City of Windsor, Essex County municipalities use Cloudpermit for building permits. Use the links below for the right portal and local rules:
- Town of Essex – Building permits & Cloudpermit access. (Building Permits.)
- Lakeshore – Apply and track in Cloudpermit. (Building Permits in Lakeshore.)
- Tecumseh – Building Services uses Cloudpermit. (Tecumseh Building Permits.)
- Kingsville – Apply via Cloudpermit. (Apply for a Building Permit.)
- Leamington – Apply via Cloudpermit (process is fully online). (Leamington Building Permits.)
- Amherstburg – Cloudpermit with local guides/forms. (Amherstburg Building Services.)
Solar, electrical, and “other” approvals (quick checklist)
- Electrical work (e.g., solar, roof-mounted heat cables, attic fans) requires a filing with the Electrical Safety Authority: submit a Notification of Work (often called an ESA permit).
- Solar PV may also need municipal building and planning sign-offs (structural review, zoning/heritage), plus utility interconnection; Toronto’s guide is a good Ontario reference.
- Heritage projects: apply for a Heritage Alteration Permit before roof changes.
Bottom line (and how we help)
- Shingle-for-shingle replacements in Windsor-Essex usually don’t need a permit; anything structural or involving new openings (skylights/dormers), or solar PV, does.
- In Windsor, apply, pay, and schedule inspections through Cloudpermit; we can manage the file, drawings, and inspections for you.
- Need a dumpster on the road? Grab a Right-of-Way Permit.
