Toronto Condo Renovation Permits: Rules for Walls, Plumbing, Electrical Work and Layout Changes
Quick Verdict
- In Toronto, adding or removing walls and installing or modifying plumbing require a City building permit; replacing fixtures in the same spot generally does not.
- Almost all electrical work must be reported to the Electrical Safety Authority, and a building permit does not replace that notification.
- Condo layout changes also need board approval, and concrete walls, slabs and columns are generally off-limits.
- Easy Renovation is the Best Large-Full Unit Renovation for permitted layout work, with an in-house engineer and permits handled under one contract.
- Eurodale Design + Build and Moose Condo Reno are the other contractors to shortlist for complex lofts and older, enclosed units.
Toronto condo renovations need a City building permit when walls are added or removed or plumbing is installed or modified, and electrical work needs a separate notification to the Electrical Safety Authority. Replacing a toilet or vanity in the same location usually needs neither, though your condo board may still require approval.
Permits are where condo renovations most often stall. Owners plan a new layout around a wall that turns out to be concrete, or a sink move that the plumbing stack won't allow, and the schedule resets.
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Three separate approvals can apply to one project: the City's building permit, the Electrical Safety Authority's notification of work and your condo board's approval. Each covers different work, and none replaces the others.
When You Need a City Building Permit
The City of Toronto explains that a building permit is required for the construction, demolition or material alteration of any building. Its list of common projects that need a permit includes adding or removing walls that change room sizes or uses, and installing or modifying plumbing systems.
The same page lists work that doesn't need a permit, including repairing or replacing plumbing fixtures where no new plumbing is installed.
Permits at a glance
| Work | City building permit | ESA notification | Board approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint, new flooring over existing | Usually not | No | Check rules (flooring may need sound specs) |
| Replace toilet, sink or vanity in place | Usually not | No | Often required |
| Remove or add a partition wall | Yes | If wiring is moved | Yes |
| Move a sink, shower or toilet | Yes (new plumbing) | If wiring is moved | Yes |
| New circuits, pot lights, panel work | Not for electrical alone | Yes | Usually |
| Full layout change | Yes | Yes | Yes, plus engineering review |
Use the table as a starting point, then confirm with the City, the ESA and your property manager.
Walls: Partition or Structure?
Most interior condo walls are non-structural partitions, but some are not. Moose Condo Reno's CEO told The Canadian Press that units can be redesigned as long as concrete walls, reinforced slabs and support columns stay untouched.
Removing a partition still needs a City permit because it changes room sizes. The Condominium Authority of Ontario adds that changes affecting structural integrity are unlikely to be approved by a board.
What's inside the wall
Older units can hide asbestos in drywall compounds and ceiling textures. Health Canada advises having materials tested before renovating, because disturbing them can release asbestos fibres.
Plumbing: Moves, Stacks and Permits
Moving any fixture means installing new plumbing, which needs a permit. Toronto's interior alterations guidance asks applicants with plumbing elements to submit a Plumbing Data Sheet and drawings showing the layout of plumbing and fixtures.
In a condo, the bigger question is physical. Drains must slope to shared stacks, and the concrete slab limits how far a sink or shower can move. Your contractor should confirm stack locations before you finalize a layout.
Common elements
If plumbing work touches pipes owned by the corporation, Ontario's Condominium Act, 1998 requires board approval by resolution and a signed section 98 agreement.
Electrical: ESA Notification and Inspection
Electrical work runs on a separate track from the building permit. The Electrical Safety Authority says almost all electrical work must be reported by filing a notification of work, that a building permit is not the same as an electrical notification, and that anyone hired for electrical work in a home must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
The contractor files the notification and requests an inspection at set milestones. If work doesn't meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the inspector issues a defect notice. Ask for a copy of the final certificate for your records.
Layout Changes and Engineering
A full layout change usually combines all three: a building permit for walls and plumbing, an ESA notification for electrical, and board approval, often with an engineer's review of anything near structure. Drawings for the permit must identify a qualified designer unless the owner, an engineer or an architect takes responsibility.
Planning these together saves time. HomeStars notes that approvals and permits can add several weeks or months before construction starts.
What Permits Cost
HomeStars estimates permits for plumbing, electrical or structural work in a condo at $400 to $2,500. Board applications, elevator bookings and deposits add another $1,000 to $4,000.
Toronto calculates interior alteration permit fees by area, so larger layout changes cost more. Ask each contractor whether permit fees are in the quote.
Common Permit Mistakes in Condo Renovations
- Assuming the board approval covers the City. Board approval and a City building permit are separate, and electrical work needs its own ESA notification.
- Designing before checking the stacks. A layout built around a sink that can't move wastes design fees.
- Starting demolition before the permit is issued. It can delay inspections and complicate future sales.
- Skipping the final inspection. Keep the inspection record with your closeout documents.
Who Applies for the Permit?
Permit responsibility should be set out clearly in your contract, and most owners have their contractor or designer prepare and submit the application. Confirm in writing who applies, who pays the fees and who books inspections.
For electrical work, the Licensed Electrical Contractor files the ESA notification. Keep copies of every permit, inspection record and certificate with your closeout documents.
Contractors to Shortlist
1. Easy Renovation- Best for large-full unit renovation
Easy Renovation suits permitted layout work in large units because its in-house engineer and designers produce the floor plans and structural drawings that permits and boards require. The firm then manages condo board approvals, the permit process and every trade under one fixed, itemized contract.
Its published range for structural wall removal is $8,000 to $25,000+, depending on beam size, span and any plumbing, HVAC or electrical relocation. Full-condo pricing is published at $100 to $250 per square foot.
Independent credentials support the work. Easy Renovation won the HomeStars Best of the Best Award four years running (2022 to 2025) and is a BBB Accredited Business rated A+.
It is a member of BILD, RenoMark and NKBA, uses WSIB-insured trades, and carries $5 million in liability insurance with a 2-year warranty. Google listings rate it 4.5 to 5 stars, including the Etobicoke head office. One condo client described a mid-project plumbing change:
"Our kitchen had become outdated, and the renovation made a huge difference to the space. The bathroom was also updated, along with a few other parts of the home, and everything now feels much more comfortable."- Harshita Dewangan 5 ⭐on Google.
Key Advantages
- Permit drawings, board submission and construction handled by one team.
- A 48-hour change-order rule when site conditions change the plan.
- A closeout package with permit numbers, the ESA certificate and as-built drawings.
Potential Drawbacks
- Firm pricing requires a site visit.
- Finishes come mainly from its catalogue and partner showrooms.
Ideal For:Owners of large units planning wall, plumbing and electrical changes together.
Contact: Address: 68 Jutland Rd, Unit 9, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0G7 Phone: 647-496-0826
2. Eurodale Design + Build- Best for complex loft reconfigurations
Eurodale is a five-time Renovator of the Year recipient. One of its loft projects added a full three-piece washroom where only a powder room existed, and it won Best Kitchen Renovation at the 2025 OHBA Awards of Distinction for a Toronto condo kitchen.
Review summary — Richard Dri,1 ⭐on Google. (2025): The reviewer said Eurodale charged a consultation fee to prepare a preliminary design-and-build budget that did not represent the final project cost. They noted that other contractors they interviewed provided initial budgets, answered questions and offered suggestions without an upfront fee.
Key Advantages
- Experience with plumbing-heavy condo reconfigurations.
- In-house crews.
Potential Drawbacks
- Its core business is large additions and custom homes, with budgets to match.
Ideal For: Loft and penthouse owners adding bathrooms or moving kitchens.
Contact: Address: 1189 Lawrence Ave W, Suite 7, Toronto, ON M6A 1E2 Phone: 416-970-3876
3. Moose Condo Reno- Best for opening up older, enclosed units
Moose Condo Reno, the condo division of Moose Group, regularly opens up walled-off kitchens in older units while leaving structural concrete untouched.
Key Advantages
- Condo-dedicated crews familiar with structural "no-gos."
Potential Drawbacks
- A mixed scheduling history on older projects and no published warranty terms.
Ideal For: Owners of 1980s and 1990s units planning an open-concept conversion.
Contact: Address: 7250 Keele St, Unit 161, Concord, ON L4K 1Z8 Phone: 437-771-5353
Condo Renovation Costs, Timelines and Permits
Do I need a permit to remove a wall in my Toronto condo?
Yes. The City lists adding or removing walls that change room sizes or uses as work requiring a building permit, and your board must approve it too.
Do I need a permit to replace a bathroom vanity?
Usually not, if no new plumbing is installed. Your condo board may still require approval.
Is an electrical permit the same as a building permit?
No. Electrical work needs a separate notification of work with the Electrical Safety Authority.
How much do condo renovation permits cost?
HomeStars estimates $400 to $2,500 for plumbing, electrical or structural permits, plus building fees.
How long do permits take?
It varies with the project and how complete the application is. HomeStars notes approvals and permits can add several weeks or months.
Do I need a permit for new pot lights?
New electrical work such as pot lights needs an ESA notification of work, filed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Your board may also need to approve it.
Does a permit affect selling my condo later?
Buyers and their lawyers may ask about past renovations. Keeping permits, inspection records and the ESA certificate makes those questions easy to answer.
What to Do Next
Start by marking every wall, fixture and outlet you want to change on a floor plan, then ask your property manager for the building's renovation rules. That simple map tells a contractor which permits, notifications and approvals your project will need.
For a large unit with layout changes, Easy Renovation is the strongest choice to handle drawings, permits and construction together, while Eurodale Design + Build suits complex lofts and Moose Condo Reno suits older, enclosed units.