The town of Oakville has introduced a new online system aimed at streamlining the building permit application process.
According to town staff, the platform "consolidates the intake, review, and approval stages into a single system", which they say will make the application process easier and more efficient.
The system is part of Oakville’s broader Housing Strategy and Action Plan, which was approved by town council in December 2024. The town says the plan aligns with the Ontario government’s goal of building 33,000 new homes by 2031.
According to the town, the new system is expected to speed up approvals and support the timely delivery of new housing projects.
"Oakville is streamlining the building permit process to accelerate approvals, helping developers and homeowners move forward with their plans faster," Mayor Rob Burton in the Town's statement. "Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures a more efficient and user-friendly experience for all applicants."
Staff also say the centralized platform improves collaboration by providing real-time tracking for applications, reviews, and inspections.
Builders and contractors can expect faster turnaround times, while homeowners planning renovations will have more real-time updates on their application status and updates and reviews on inspections, they say.
The town also cited its pilot program in June 2024, which streamlined the municipal sign permit application process that resulted in issuing 101 permits. The sign permit processing times reduced from an average of 45 days to 15 days, says the town.
In 2024, Oakville issued 3,062 building permits valued at $2.1 billion, compared to 2,418 permits worth $1.7 billion in 2023, according to the Town’s data.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported 3,580 new housing starts in Oakville for 2024.