PermitPass — Toronto & GTA
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about pre-submission building permit screening: what we check, how it works, and how your data is handled.
Why do Toronto building permits get rejected?
Most first submissions are rejected for compliance or completeness issues — zoning conflicts (setbacks, height, lot coverage), Ontario Building Code gaps, or missing information in the drawings and model. Toronto Building Services data indicates a majority of first submissions bounce, and each cycle adds weeks or months to a project. Pre-submission screening catches the screenable part of these issues while they are still cheap to fix.
What is PermitPass?
PermitPass is an automated pre-submission compliance screening tool for Toronto building permits. You upload your project's IFC/BIM file and enter the property address; PermitPass pulls the zoning context from City of Toronto Open Data and evaluates the model against 32 rules across three regulatory layers, returning a structured PDF report before you submit to the City.
What does the screening check exactly?
32 rules across three regulatory layers: Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 (13 rules — setbacks, height, lot coverage and related requirements resolved for your specific property), Ontario Building Code 2024 including Part 9 (15 rules), and Toronto Green Standard v4 Tier 1 (4 rules). Each rule returns PASS, FAIL, or REVIEW with evidence extracted from your model.
What is an IFC file and how do I export one?
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is the open, vendor-neutral exchange format for BIM models. Every major BIM tool exports it: Revit (File > Export > IFC), ArchiCAD (File > Save As > IFC), and others. PermitPass works from the IFC alone — no plugins, no changes to your modelling workflow.
What is the Model Completeness Score?
Not every model contains enough information to screen every rule. The Model Completeness Score tells you how screenable your model is — which data was present and which rules could not be evaluated for lack of information. A rule that can't be assessed is flagged REVIEW rather than silently guessed.
Does PermitPass replace a code consultant or the City's review?
No. PermitPass is a pre-submission screening tool for internal review purposes only. Results do not constitute regulatory advice, a permit approval, or a decision by the City of Toronto or any authority. It helps you catch screenable issues early — always verify compliance with a licensed professional before submitting.
Is my BIM model stored on your servers?
No. Uploaded IFC files are processed in memory and never stored. The generated PDF report is held in memory with a 1-hour time-to-live, then it's gone. Details are on our Privacy & Terms page.
How much does PermitPass cost?
PermitPass is in private beta and free during this period, with limited spots. Join the waitlist on the home pageand we'll be in touch by email.
Which areas does PermitPass cover?
The City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario, Canada. Zoning rules are resolved per property from City of Toronto Open Data; OBC rules apply across Ontario.
Who is PermitPass for?
Architects, architectural technologists, developers, builders, project managers, and permit expeditors who work with BIM models and submit building permit applications in Toronto and the GTA.