Septic System Permits

Appointments encouraged

Municipal Offices are open to the public but we encourage you to make an appointment as only one person will be allowed in the lobby at a time in order to maintain social distancing requirements.

Please refer to our Guide to Municipal Office Use During COVID-19 for more information.

Applications

Highlands East uses Cloudpermit to manage building permits digitally. Cloudpermit allows you to apply for and to see the status of your building (and septic system) permit application anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, and receive email updates on the status of your permit application.

Learn more about getting started with the Cloudpermit building permit system.

Start your application with Cloudpermit

Related applications

Winter Septic Inspections

Winter weather affects on-site sewage installation and inspections. The Municipality of Highlands East does not conduct septic inspections during the winter months as the conditions are not conducive to installations and inspections.

When the temperatures begin to drop, call the Building Department at 705-447-0051 to ensure you can obtain an inspection.

Exceptions

In urgent circumstances, such as a failing system, exceptions can be made by calling the Building Department at 705-447-0051.

Fees

For more details on how to apply and what is required please see Building Permits.

Permit Fees
Type	Fee
Non-refundable administration fee	$75
Minimum building permit fee	$100

Permit fees are calculated by the floor area of the proposed construction multiplied by the values as set out under Building Classifications below.

Floor area shall be the total area of all floor above grade measured to the outside face of the exterior walls.

Building Classifications
Building Types	Fee
Buildings used for human habitation including dwellings, guest cabins, multi residential, second suites or additions to those buildings.	$0.70 per square foot
Renovations to existing dwellings.	$0.30 per square foot
New foundation under an existing building or the interior finishing of a basement.	$0.40 per square foot
Accessory buildings and/or additions to those buildings.	$0.50 per square foot
Commercial, industrial and institutional buildings or additions to those buildings.	$0.70 per square foot
Agricultural buildings and/or additions to those buildings.	$0.30 per square foot

Flat Rate Fees
Type	Fee
HVAC/HRV	$100
Plumbing	$100
Wood burning appliance (wood stove)	$100
Decks, docks, verandahs, covered porches	$0.50 per square foot Minimum $100

An administration fee may apply if the above are issued as standalone permits.

Other Permits
Type	Fee
Demolition permit	$100
Temporary tents over 60 square metres	$100
Sea containers	$100
Conditional permit	$100 plus applicable building permit fees
Partial building permit	$100 plus applicable building permit fees
Change of use	$100 plus applicable building permit fees
Transfer of permit	$100

Septic Permit Fees
Type	Fee
Application for a class 4 septic system.	$875
Application for a class 2, 3 or 5 septic system or to replace the tank or bed only of a class 4 system.	$450
Septic review or revision to permit.	$100
Addition or renovation to an existing septic system.	$250
Re-inspection of septic systems.	$100

Additional Fees
Type	Fee
Permit renewal	$100
Revisions on plans	$100
Additional inspections	$100
Re-inspections over five years	$100 per inspection
Re-inspection fee (not ready)	$100
Fine for construction without a permit (in addition to the building permit fee)	Double the permit fee
Fee to remove Order to Comply and/or Stop Work Order	$200

Miscellaneous Fees
Type	Fee
File search for copies of septic systems	$50
Zoning compliance letter	$100
Zoning and septic compliance letter	$150

Severance or Lot Addition Application Fees
Type	Fee
Less than 10 acres	$300
Greater than 10 acres	$150

Subdivision Fees
Type	Fee
1 to 10 lots	$300
Each lot over 10	$150

Refunds of Permit Fees
Type	Refund Amount
No inspections made	Fees less $75
Administrative functions only have been performed	80%
Administrative and plan examinations have been performed	45%
Permit issued but no field inspections have been made	35%
Permit issued and field inspections have been made	No refund
Permit revoked in accordance with the Act, Building Code or By-law	No refund

No refunds less than $75 will be made.

History

Prior to June 30, 2014, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit was contracted by the municipality to enforce Part 8 (On-Site Sewage Systems) of the Ontario Building Code. Since July 1, 2014 the Municipality of Highlands East has been administering Part 8 in-house.