A building permit gives you the legal authorization to construct or demolish a building. Building permits are issued by the Building Division and are reviewed for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, the municipalities zoning bylaw and other applicable provincial and municipal regulations. Building permits are necessary to ensure that building construction standards, zoning requirements, fire and structural safety standards, and other applicable standards are met.

City of Brantford 

http://www.brantford.ca/business/PermitsLicensesAndServiceRequests/Pages/default.aspx

County of Brant

http://www.brant.ca/ourcounty/planning_building/building/building_permitrequirements.shtml