Site Plan for Permit in Mississauga, Ontario

If you are building an addition, detached garage, shed, gazebo, deck or another structure in Mississauga, the City may require a site plan as part of your building permit application. The drawing helps reviewers understand exactly where the proposed work will be located in relation to the house, property lines, driveway, easements and surrounding structures.

A clear site plan can also help the City check whether the project complies with the Mississauga Zoning By-law, the Ontario Building Code and any other approvals that apply to the property. The exact drawing requirements depend on your project, zoning and property conditions.

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What Is a Site Plan?

A site plan is an overhead drawing of a property. It shows how the buildings, structures and outdoor improvements are arranged within the lot boundaries.

Unlike a floor plan, which shows the layout inside a building, a site plan concentrates on the relationship between the project and the overall property. It can help a permit examiner check matters such as:

Distance from the proposed construction to each property line
Location and size of the existing house
Location and dimensions of the proposed work
Lot coverage and landscaped area
Driveway and walkway locations
Rights-of-way and registered easements
Access around the property
Potential zoning conflicts

The City of Mississauga explains that permit drawings are used to determine whether proposed work is safe and complies with the Zoning By-law, Ontario Building Code and other applicable law.^[1]

When Is a Building Permit Required in Mississauga?

Most significant construction, alteration and demolition projects require a building permit. According to the City, common residential projects that require a permit include:^[2]

An addition to an existing house
A detached garage
A covered porch
A deck more than 0.61 metres, or two feet, above grade
A gazebo larger than 10 square metres
A shed larger than 15 square metres
A shed of any size that contains plumbing
A building or structure, other than a shed, larger than 10 square metres
A new house or garden suite
A below-grade entrance or basement walkout
Certain exterior alterations, new windows and new doors

Some smaller projects may not require a building permit. Examples listed by the City include a deck less than 600 millimetres high, a qualifying storage shed smaller than 15 square metres, a fence and driveway widening or resurfacing.^[2]

However, not needing a building permit does not mean that every location or design is permitted. The City states that zoning regulations still apply to projects that do not require a building permit. Other municipal permits or approvals may also be necessary.

What Should a Mississauga Site Plan Show?

The required information varies by project, but the City’s residential drawing requirements provide a useful checklist. For an accessory structure such as a shed, gazebo or detached garage, a site plan may need to show the following:^[3]

Basic property information

Municipal address
Legal description, including lot and plan numbers
Metric drawing scale
North arrow
Dimensioned property lines

Existing and proposed construction

Existing buildings and accessory structures clearly labelled as existing
Proposed construction clearly hatched and labelled “PROPOSED”
Overall building and structure dimensions
Setbacks from property lines to the proposed structure
Rights-of-way and easements

Site surfaces and access

Driveways
Walkways
Landscaped areas
Other hard surfaces
Driveway width and distance from adjacent property lines
Driveway surface material

Site statistics

Total lot area
Lot frontage
Existing and proposed lot coverage
Lot coverage expressed in square metres and as a percentage
A breakdown of the structures included in the coverage calculation

Grading information

Depending on the project, the plan may also need to show established-grade calculations and the points used to determine the established grade.

Additional Requirements for a Home Addition

A site plan for an addition generally requires more detail than a plan for a small detached structure. The City’s addition requirements include setbacks from property lines to both new and existing structures, as well as setbacks to encroachments such as porches, stairs, window wells and decks.^[4]

An addition site plan may also need to show:

Gross floor area for each floor
Garage area
Dwelling depth
Air-conditioning equipment location and setback
Window-well locations and setbacks
The area of the yard containing the driveway
Soft landscaped area and percentage
Existing and proposed lot coverage

Floor plans, roof plans, elevations, structural details, mechanical information and other supporting documents may be required in addition to the site plan.

Check the Zoning Before Preparing the Plan

Mississauga properties are divided into different zoning categories. The applicable zone can regulate matters such as:

Minimum front, rear and side-yard setbacks
Maximum building height
Maximum lot coverage
Permitted uses
Garage and parking requirements
Driveway width
Landscaped open space
Location and size of accessory structures

The City recommends checking the property’s zoning before beginning a new project. Mississauga’s property information tool can provide the legal description, lot area, zoning, heritage status, permit history, development application history and Committee of Adjustment history for an address.^[5]

If the proposed work does not comply with the zoning rules, approval from the Committee of Adjustment may be required before a building permit can be issued.

Site Plan Drawing Versus Formal Site Plan Approval

These two terms can be confusing because they do not always mean the same thing.

A site plan drawing is a drawing that may be included in a residential building permit application. It shows the layout of the property and the proposed project.

Site Plan Approval is a separate municipal planning process that applies to certain types of development and certain properties. Mississauga’s Site Plan Control By-law designates land within the City as a site plan control area but also provides exemptions for particular forms of development.^[6]

If formal Site Plan Approval applies, the City advises that it must be granted before the related building permit can be issued. Property owners can check the City’s property information tool or contact 311 to confirm whether this process applies.

Formal site plan applications may require more extensive plans and studies addressing building placement, landscaping, access, parking, elevations, site statistics and other development matters.^[7]

Other Approvals That May Affect the Property

A building permit is not always the only approval needed. Depending on the location and nature of the project, additional approvals may include:^[8]

Conservation authority approval
Heritage approval
Site Plan Approval
Committee of Adjustment approval
A tree removal permit
Ontario Ministry of Transportation approval

These conditions should be identified early because they may affect the design, placement and permit timeline for the project.

How to Apply for a Mississauga Building Permit

The City of Mississauga requires building permit applications to be submitted online through its ePlans portal.^[8]

The general application process includes:

Confirm whether the project requires a permit.
Check the property’s zoning.
Determine whether additional approvals are required.
Prepare the required forms, drawings and supporting documents.
Create an ePlans account.
Submit the building permit request and pay the administration fee.
Upload the drawings after receiving the temporary project number.
Respond to comments or requests for revisions during the review.

Mississauga ePlans File Requirements

Drawings submitted through ePlans must meet the City’s digital file standards. The City currently instructs applicants to submit drawings as individual, unsecured PDF files in greyscale and landscape orientation.^[1]

File names should match the drawing number and title shown in the drawing’s title block. The City gives “A01 SITE PLAN” as an example. File names should not contain the property address, date, business name or special characters.

Following these requirements can reduce avoidable pre-screening issues and make the submission easier for City staff to review.

Common Reasons a Site Plan May Need Revisions

A site plan may be returned for corrections when important information is unclear or missing. Common issues include:

Missing property-line dimensions
No north arrow or drawing scale
Setbacks measured from the wrong point
Proposed construction not clearly distinguished from existing work
Missing lot coverage calculations
Incomplete driveway or landscaped-area information
Easements not shown
Project dimensions that do not match the floor plans
Using imperial measurements where metric dimensions are required
Submitting an outdated design after the project has changed

A readable, properly dimensioned plan gives the permit examiner a clearer picture of the proposal and can help reduce unnecessary questions during review.

Information Needed to Prepare Your Site Plan

To prepare a site plan for a Mississauga property, it is helpful to provide as much of the following information as possible:

Property address
Existing survey, grading plan or property plan, if available
Lot dimensions
Measurements of the existing house and other structures
Dimensions of the proposed project
Distances from the proposed work to property lines
Driveway and walkway dimensions
Photos of the property
A sketch showing the intended project location
Any comments or checklist supplied by the City

An existing survey is especially useful because it may provide reliable information about property dimensions, easements and the location of existing buildings. A drafted site plan does not establish or legally certify a property boundary.

Residential Site Plans Across Mississauga

Site plan drafting may be useful for residential projects throughout Mississauga, including properties in:

Erin Mills
Meadowvale
Streetsville
Port Credit
Clarkson
Cooksville
Mineola
Malton
Lisgar
Lakeview
Churchill Meadows
Creditview

Requirements are property-specific. Two similar projects in different neighbourhoods may be subject to different zoning provisions, easements, lot conditions or additional approvals.

Order a Site Plan for Your Mississauga Project

Send us your property information, available documents and proposed project dimensions. We will prepare a clear site plan showing the relevant existing and proposed site features based on the information provided.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a site plan for a building permit in Mississauga?

Many exterior residential projects require a site plan, including additions, detached garages, qualifying sheds, gazebos and other structures. The exact documents depend on the project. Check the City’s project-specific drawing requirements before applying.

Does a small shed need a permit?

The City states that a one-storey, free-standing storage shed smaller than 15 square metres may not require a building permit if it does not contain plumbing. Zoning requirements still apply.

Does a driveway widening require a building permit?

The City lists driveway widening and resurfacing among projects that do not require a building permit. However, zoning, driveway, curb, boulevard or other municipal requirements may still affect the work.

Can I submit a hand-drawn site plan?

The City requires drawings to be clear, accurate, to scale and suitable for reviewing compliance. A rough sketch may be helpful for explaining the project, but it may not contain enough detail for a complete permit application.

Does the site plan need to use metric measurements?

Yes. Mississauga’s residential site plan requirements specify metric scales and measurements.

Is a site plan the same as a property survey?

No. A site plan illustrates the proposed project and property layout for planning or permit review. A legal survey is prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor and is used to establish or certify property boundaries.

Where are Mississauga building permit applications submitted?

Building permit applications are submitted online through the City of Mississauga’s ePlans portal.

Information on this page is provided as a general guide and does not replace advice or approval from the City of Mississauga. Permit, zoning and drawing requirements may change and may vary by property and project.