Change of Use Permit
Learn about change of use permits in Canadian real estate — what they are, why they’re required, and when to apply for one.
August 07, 2025
What is a Change of Use Permit?
A change of use permit is official authorization from a municipality allowing a property owner to change the property's intended or legal use.
Why Change of Use Permits Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, change of use permits ensure properties comply with zoning, building codes, and safety regulations when usage changes.
Examples:
- Converting an office into residential units
- Turning a retail store into a restaurant
- Redeveloping industrial space for community use
Obtaining a change of use permit helps property owners avoid fines, legal action, and operational issues.
Example of Change of Use Permits in Action
The developer obtained a change of use permit to convert the warehouse into a mixed-use residential and commercial building.
Key Takeaways
- Required when property use changes
- Ensures compliance with zoning and safety codes
- Helps avoid legal and operational issues
- Applies to residential, commercial, and industrial properties
- Must be secured before the change is made
Related Terms
- Zoning
- Official Plan
- Building Permit
- Certificate of Compliance
- Permit Compliance
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6525 Mississauga Road and its surrounding context. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
Property details for 6525 Mississauga Road. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
National average resale-price growth and housing-starts growth, smoothed over three months. The comparison illustrates the cycle; it does not establish how much a price change causes construction to change.
Trailing 12-month starts in centres of 50,000 or more remove the usual monthly seasonality. Ownership combines the homeowner and condominium categories; rental is shown separately.
Six-month averages of provincial starts, expressed at annual rates. The smoothing reduces the influence of individual apartment projects.
The same August benchmark compared with two different starting points. Three-month changes are not annualized.
Average sale prices show the difference in purchase costs across markets. They do not measure affordability relative to local incomes or construction costs.
Newfoundland and Labrador remains above its pre-pandemic sales pattern, but August activity was below last year. Historical lines retain their original release vintages.
Galleria III at Galleria on the Park (Hariri Pontarini Architects) 
Bisha Hotel & Residences (Lifetime Developments)
