What Homeowners Should Know About Demolishing for Tear-Down, Renovation and Additions
Demolition is one of the earliest and most misunderstood phases of a construction project. Whether you’re rebuilding a new home, opening up an existing layout, or preparing for a home addition, demolition sets the stage for everything that comes after, framing, mechanicals, inspections, and finishes.
In Toronto, demolition also comes with permit requirements, safety protocols, environmental rules, and coordination with utilities, the City, and trades.
1. Full Home Demolition (Tear-Down & Rebuild)
Full demolition means removing the entire existing structure down to the foundation or in many cases, including the foundation itself if the new build requires re-engineering.
Common reasons homeowners choose a full tear-down:
✔ Aging home with structural issues ✔ Modern energy standards not met (envelope upgrade impossible) ✔ Rebuilding larger under current zoning ✔ Higher long-term ROI vs renovating ✔ Custom home build opportunity
This is the path chosen for many older Toronto bungalows, wartime homes, and small detached homes in neighbourhoods like Ledbury Park, East York, Scarborough, Bedford Park, and parts of Etobicoke.
Permit Requirements
In Toronto, full residential demolition requires a Demolition Permit and often a simultaneous Building Permit for the replacement home:
Professional abatement may be required before demolition begins.
3. Demolition for Home Additions (Rear, Second Storey, Side)
Demolition for additions is a hybrid category — you’re not tearing down the whole house, but you’re removing structural elements to extend the home.
Common types of additions in Toronto:
✔ Rear addition — most common ✔ Second-storey addition — “top-up” on bungalow ✔ Side addition — when zoning setbacks allow ✔ Front addition — rare but possible ✔ Underpin + basement addition — adds living area
Demolition scope typically includes:
Removing existing exterior walls
Removing roofing or roof trusses
Cutting and removing foundations/slabs
Removing decks/outbuildings in footprint
Removing interior structure where tied-in
Permit Requirements for Additions
All additions require a Building Permit which covers:
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