Toronto, ON — As Toronto faces pressure to build more homes faster, a key change to the city’s permitting process takes effect Monday, July 14, aimed at slashing approval timelines and reducing project delays. The expansion of Toronto’s Reliance on Professional Engineer’s Seal program will allow more builders to fast-track their applications by submitting plans stamped by licensed engineers, bypassing traditional bottlenecks in City review.
Mayor Olivia Chow made the announcement this month as part of a broader strategy to tackle the housing crisis with smart, efficiency-focused reforms.
“We need to build more affordable homes faster that people can afford,” said Mayor Chow. “Today’s announcement will simplify approvals at city hall by enabling online applications, supporting faster approvals and providing pre-approved designs to accelerate building.”
What Is the Engineer’s Seal Program?
First piloted in 2024, the program allows professional engineers to certify that their building plans comply with the Ontario Building Code. City staff then rely on that certification to expedite the review process.
Starting July 14, the expanded program will cover a wider range of residential projects, including:
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Accessory structures (e.g. laneway and garden suites)
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Secondary units in existing homes
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Certain mechanical and fire protection systems
The City reports that the pilot phase cut permit-to-occupancy timelines by an average of 28 days.
Why This Matters for Homeowners and Builders
The expansion is a win for homeowners, small developers, and builders working on “gentle density” projects like multiplexes and garden suites. By shifting compliance responsibility to licensed professionals, the process becomes more efficient without sacrificing safety.
Benefits include:
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Faster approvals for infill projects
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Lower design costs (fewer revisions)
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Reduced soft costs associated with delays
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Greater certainty for construction timelines
Streamlining Approvals with Digital Tools
In parallel with the engineer seal expansion, the City has also improved its online permit application portal, now allowing digital submissions for:
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Laneway and garden suites
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Basement apartments
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Duplex and triplex conversions
The portal includes automatic document checks, helping City staff begin their review faster.
🔗 toronto.ca/applyTObuild
Free, Pre-Approved Designs Also Available
To further support small-scale builders, the City has launched free, pre-approved plans for garden and laneway suites. These “made-in-Toronto” designs are available online and comply with the Ontario Building Code — helping homeowners save thousands in design fees.
🔗 toronto.ca/PreApprovedPlans
Supporting Toronto’s Housing Pipeline
Toronto has more than 850,000 residential units in the development pipeline — the most in its history. By removing friction from the permit process, the City hopes to convert proposals into housing starts more quickly.
With the expanded engineer seal program, online permitting, and standardized plans, Toronto is building the foundation for a more responsive, housing-ready city.
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