CityView Portal FAQ

1. From the portal homepage, click on 'Register' in the top right corner.
2. Enter the email address you will be using for the portal; this will be your login ID.
3. Create a password and re-enter to confirm. Your password must be a minimum of 8 characters. 
4. Click 'Next Step' and complete the remaining contact information fields.
5. Ensure to select the 'I am not a robot' field at the end by entering the characters you see in the image, and click submit.
6. Once you complete these steps, you will receive an email at the address you used to register to confirm your account. The link in the message will validate your account.  Ensure you're using the email address you registered with. 
7. You can now sign into the Portal and begin to submit building permit applications and by-law cases.

You should receive an email within 15 minutes of registering. If you have still not received an email, please check:

• Did you spell your email address correctly? Are you accessing the email address you used to register with?  If you are not sure, you could try registering again with the same email address.  If we already have that email on file you will see a message indicating “An account already exists for this username.”
• Check your junk/spam folder.

If the suggestions above don't help, please contact the Building Division by email and provide your email address so we can activate your account for you.

1. On the Sign In page, select “Forgot Password”. The system will ask you for your email address.
2. Select “Reset Password”. The system will email you a message containing a link.
3. Select the link and it will walk you through changing your password.

You can see all building permit applications that you have previously submitted using the Portal by signing in and selecting My Items on the top toolbar. Each section expands by clicking on the title. To see all your items, click on the ‘Expand All’ link. You will be able to see the current status of your submissions here. 

Please note: at this time, only certain building permit application types can be applied for on the Portal. If your application type is not listed, please send all building permit application documents by email. You will receive a confirmation by email that your application has been received

1. Description and Type
   1. Use the dropdown and select the most appropriate permit application type
   2. Describe the work proposed with the application
   3. Application details:
      1. Provide the number of stories for any new builds
      2. Provide the number of units being created
      3. Provide the area (in square metres) of the proposed work
   4. Provide the estimated construction cost of the project
   5. Select "Next Step: Work Items"
2. Work Items
   1. Please choose any work items that are applicable to your application. This list has been filtered based on the application type you selected. 
   2. Select "Next Step: Description of Work"
3. Description of Work
   1. Enter the quantities of each permit work item in the units specified (SQM or EACH)
      1. When entering SQ M quantities, they will need to be calculated by gross floor area
   2. Select "Next Step: Location"
4. Location of Work Being Done
   1. Provide the work location for the project:
      1. Search for your location (will start to auto-populate based on what is being typed), or
      2. Select "Can't find address" and provide the location details (roll number or address)
   2. Select "Next Step: Contacts"
5. Contacts
   1. Property Owner and Owner Builder contact information is now shown for privacy reasons
   2. You will be automatically added as the Applicant on the permit application
   3. A Contractor can be added by selecting "Add a Contact":
      1. Select Contact Type - Contractor
      2. Add the contractors contact information
      3. Select 'Add This Contact'
   4. Select "Next Step: Upload Files"
6. Upload Documents
   1. Review the Guidelines for Electronically Submitting Documents 
   2. The list of submittal documents relates to the application and permit types previously selected. It is exhaustive and not all of the items may be applicable to your application. 
   3. Attach each applicable document by selecting "Browse" for each item
   4. If you have a document that is not listed, use "Upload Additional Documents" and provide a short description of the document
      1. Multiple submissions can be made by selecting "Browse" for each item
   5. Select "Next Step: Review & Submit"
   6. A pop-up will notify you that the documents are being uploaded and that the upload is complete, or that if you have not uploaded any documents then they can be uploaded at a later date.
   7. Select "OK"
7. Review & Submit
   1. Review the information to ensure that is it correct and complete
   2. Select "Submit Application"
8. Submitted
   1. Review the submitted information again. If you'd like, print the confirmation page for your reference. 
   2. The application will also be available for viewing under "My Permit Applications" (from My Items)
   3. Payment of initial building permit fees must be made before the application will move forward to review. 
   4. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application, it's completeness and the initial building permit fees owing within 2 days of your submission. 

Please note: at this time, only certain building permit application types can be applied for on the Portal. If your application type is not listed, please send all building permit application documents by emailing your application and documents, including drawings, to email (attachment limit is 10MB total). Submissions larger than 10MB can be uploaded through 2big4email, or contact us for assistance. You will receive a confirmation by email that your application has been received

Garage & Carport - Detached or attached residential garages

Pool/Hot Tub - Above or in ground pools and their associated enclosures

Renovations, Additions & Decks - Residential decks, additions, basement finishes or renovation projects

Residential Buildings – New construction of single detached dwellings, semi detached, duplex, townhouses or apartment buildings.

Septic – New septic systems or alterations/repairs to existing septic systems

The total project value is based on both materials and labour (regardless of if the work is being done by yourself) of the project.  The information is collected for statistical reporting only and does not affect the calculation of permit fees unless otherwise stated in the Building Bylaw Fee Schedule. 

Online payments are not accepted at this time. You can pay using one of the following methods:

• Credit card over the phone (Visa or Mastercard only) – 519-846-9691 ext 907. Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.
• In person with cash, cheque, debit or credit (Visa or Mastercard only) at 1 MacDonald Square, Elora at the Planning & Development counter, lower level.
• Cheque drop off in the dropbox outside of the Municipal Office at 1 MacDonald Square, Elora. 

The time period within which a building permit is issued or refused will begin when the application has been deemed complete, including the fees being paid.  The time period for issuance or refusal is regulated by the Ontario Building Code (Div. C, 1.3.1.3.) and is based on the permit type. Most residential building permit applications have a review period of 10 business days. 

Your building permit will be issued by email to the applicants email. The email will have the permit, permit card and approved drawings attached in PDF form.

Approved documents will also be available to view on the Portal. All contacts on the application will be able to view these documents if they have a registered Portal account. 

1. Sign in to Portal, select “My Items”, open “My Permit Applications” and find the permit.  
2. Navigate to the "Documents & Images" panel (near the bottom) to view all approved documents.

Inspection requests made through Portal are requests only. Confirmation of your inspection date and time will be confirmed back to you by email.

1. Sign in to Portal, select “My Items”, open “My Permit Applications” and find the permit.  
2. If the permit has an inspection waiting to be completed, you will see “Request Inspection”.  
3. Select the inspection you would like to schedule and select “Next Step: Date and Time”.  
4. Fill in the date, time frame and notes fields. Inspections are conducted in either the AM – 8:30am-12noon or PM – 1-4:30pm. Select “Next Step: Complete”. 
5. The Building Department will receive a message indicating your request.  Check back later in “My Items” under “My Upcoming Inspections” to see when the inspection has been scheduled for. You will also receive and email confirming the date and time of the inspection.

Inspections can also be requested by email or calling 519-846-9691 ext 907.

The inspection request cut-off time for the next business day is 3:00pm. If your request for the next business day is received before 3:00pm, it may be scheduled for the next business day depending on scheduling availability. Inspection requests for the next business day received after 3:00pm must be done by email or calling 519-846-9691 ext 907. Late inspection requests will only be accommodated based on scheduling availability.

We appreciate as much notice as possible for cancelling inspections.

If you have requested your inspection on the Portal, you can also cancel the inspection on the Portal. If you called or email to book your inspection, you will need to call or email to cancel your inspection.

1. Sign in to Portal, select “My Items”, open “My Permit Applications” and find the permit. Click on the permit number to open the permit details.
2. Navigate to the ‘Inspections’ section. If the permit has a scheduled inspection waiting to be completed, you will see the scheduled date and a link to “Cancel”.  Select “Cancel”, and a “Confirm Cancel Inspection” page populates.  Review the information and ensure that you selected the correct inspection to be cancelled.  If so, select “Yes, Cancel This Inspection”.

All inspections can be cancelled by email or calling 519-846-9691 ext 907. 

Building permits cannot be cancelled on the Portal. Please contact the Building Department at 519-846-9691 ext 907 or by email.