Application Guidelines for a Solid Fuel Burning Appliance

Application for Permit

To obtain a permit under Subsection 8(1) of the Act, an application can be made using our Cloudpermit electronic permitting service.

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A building permit is required for the installation of a:

  1. Masonry fireplace and/or masonry chimney.
  2. Wood stove and chimney.
  3. Pellet stove that burns wood, corn, grain, etc.
  4. Fireplace insert and chimney liner.
  5. Pre-manufactured fireplace and chimney.

Required Plans

Drawings, plans and specifications to accompany an application to permit include:

All drawings must be clear, legible, accurate, drawn to scale and conform to the Ontario Building Code.

Site Plan
  • A Site Plan is required only if the installation of the appliance and/or chimney extends beyond the exterior walls of the home.
  • Direction north indicated.
  • Size and use of all existing and proposed structures including location of all structures with dimensions to property lines.
  • Location of easements, right-of-ways, overhead power lines, etc.

Floor Plans

Plans to be provided with a minimum scale where 1/4" equals 1' or 1:50 (metric)

  • Dimensions of the wood burning appliance showing distance to rear wall, side walls, windows and doors.
  • Location and dimensions of wall shielding, including extension beyond the appliance.
  • Dimensions and type of floor protection, showing distance to sides, rear, and front of the appliance.

Cross Sections and Details 

Submissions to be provided with a minimum scale where 1/4" equals 1' or 1:50 (metric)

  • Cross section showing floors, wall, roof, appliance, and chimney installation.

  • Show and describe wall and ceiling shielding if applicable, with dimensions.
  • Show clearances of appliance and chimney to wall and ceiling.
  • Show total height of chimney and height of chimney above any construction (i.e. roof) within 10 feet of the chimney.

Product Specifications
  • Provide manufacturers specification and installation literature for the appliance.
  • Provide manufacturers specification and installation literature for the chimney.
  • Provide other product specifications/literature, such as manufactured heat shields.

General Notes

  1. The permit application shall include 2 full size complete sets of prepared fully dimensioned construction drawings. A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application for permit.
  2. All drawings and specifications are to be project specific.
  3. All drawings are to be drawn to scale. The scale shall be noted on the drawings.
  4. Required inspections noted on the Mandatory Inspection Report and will be conducted within 2 business days from receipt of notice and on assigned days.
  5. Any changes to the approved plans must be reviewed by the Building Department prior to commencement of construction.
  6. A WETT certification shall be obtained for all installations and submitted to the Building Inspector at the time of final inspection, after which the permit shall be deemed closed.

Construction Information

Reference Diagram for Wood stove Installations
Illustration showing a reference diagram for wood stove installations

Installation Clearances

Installation Clearances for Uncertified Stoves
TypeMin. Top ClearanceMin. Side/Rear/Corner ClearanceMin. Fuelling/Ash Removal Clearance
Without shielding 1500 mm (60 inches) 1200 mm (48 inches) 1200 mm (48 inches)
With shielding 1500 mm (60 inches) 900 mm (36 inches) 1200 mm (48 inches)

Shielding consists of protection such as external jacketing or metal heat shield attached to the sides and rear of the appliance and spaced out at least 50mm (2") by non-combustible spacers, with provision for air circulation at the bottom and top. "Clearances" are measured from the outer surface of the appliance to combustible material.

Reducing Minimum Clearances with Shielding

Reducing Minimum Clearances with Shielding
Shielding TypeClearance Reduction on Sides and RearClearance Reduction on Top

Sheet metal, a minimum of 29 gauge in thickness, spaced out at least 21 mm (7/8 inch) by non-combustible spacers.

 67% 50%

Ceramic tiles, or equivalent non-combustible material on non-combustible supports spaced out at least 21 mm (7/8 inch) by non-combustible spacers.

 50% 33%

Ceramic tiles, or equivalent non-combustible material on non-combustible supports with a minimum 29 gauge sheet metal backing spaced out at least 21 mm (7/8 inch) by non-combustible spacers.

 67% 50%

Brick spaced out at least 21 mm (7/8 inch) by non-combustible spacers.

 50% Not Applicable

Brick with minimum of 29 gauge sheet metal backing spaced out at least 21 mm (7/8 inch) by non-combustible spacers.

 67% Not Applicable

Heat Shield Construction Rules

  • Minimum space between shield and combustibles: 21 mm (7/8 inch)
  • Minimum clearance along the bottom of the shield: 25 mm (1 inch)
  • Maximum clearance along the bottom of the shield: 75 mm (3 inches)
  • Minimum clearance along the top of the shield at the ceiling: 75 mm (3 inches)
  • Shield extension beyond each side of appliance: 450 mm (18 inches)
  • Shield extension above appliance: 500 mm (20 inches)