Filing a Complaint

Building without a Permit

If you do not have a permit for construction that has already started, you could face serious and potentially costly consequences, including:

  • building without a permit penalty. This is an additional fee equal to 50% of the permit fees for the project, or $200.00, whichever is greater.
  • A delay while your permit application is processed. All work must stop during this time. The original timeline and fees to process an application still apply.
  • Possibly having to undo the work that was done.
  • Possibly having to do more work than you had originally planned and budgeted for, such as additional structural or mechanical work.
  • Possible legal and /or financial issues down the road, such as impacts on selling your property or making an insurance claim.

NOTE: As the property owner, you are responsible for paying these fees or penalties, even if you have hired a contractor who assured you that permits were not needed.

Building Services has developed a manual that provides clear direction to staff when investigating complaints around building code violations and initiating legal action. The Enforcement and Compliance Procedures are available here. 

Complaints

To file a complaint with the Building Division, you can reach out to a Building Services team member at 519.941.2816 ext. 2700 or email building@dufferincounty.ca

All complaints received are confidential, however anonymous complaints will not be investigated.

Information on this form is collected under the Building Code Act and will be used for the purposes of investigating the complaint. For questions regarding this collection, please call the Chief Building Official at 519.941.2816 x 2701.

Building Complaints

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