Collingwood Builders Face New Permit Rules, Fees Starting 2027

The Housing Supply and Municipal Efficiency Bill passed second reading in the provincial legislature last week. It requires municipalities including Collingwood to process residential building permits within 45 days for projects under 10 units. The change applies to all new applications filed after January 1 2027.

Provincial records show Collingwood issued 312 residential permits in 2025. Local planning staff currently average 68 days per application. The bill sets provincial funding of 180000 dollars per year for Collingwood to hire two additional permit reviewers.

Daily Costs for Residents

Collingwood residents who own single-family homes will face revised application fees starting next year. The legislation caps the fee at 1250 dollars for additions under 500 square feet. Builders of multi-unit projects must now post a 50000 dollar performance bond before excavation begins.

Property owners seeking to convert basements into secondary suites will submit plans to the same streamlined desk. The bill removes the requirement for separate heritage review when the property sits outside the downtown core district bounded by Hurontario Street and First Street.

Local advocates note that the new bond requirement could add two weeks to project financing approvals at area banks. The legislation states the bond is returned once final inspection passes.

Next Steps for Implementation

Collingwood council must adopt matching bylaws by October 2026. The government says the policy will reduce average permit wait times by 30 percent across participating municipalities. The bill now heads to committee hearings scheduled for August 12 in the provincial capital.

Residents can review the full text and the attached fiscal schedule on the legislature website. Questions about specific properties go to the Collingwood building department at its regular counter hours.