Renovating a condo is different from renovating a house. You share walls, floors, pipes and elevators with your neighbours, and your condo corporation has a say in what happens inside your unit. Whether you're in a tower in Humber Bay Shores, a mid-rise in Mimico, a unit near Square One in Mississauga or a downtown Toronto building, the same basic rules apply.
This checklist covers condo renovation rules in Toronto and the GTA: what you can usually do, what needs approval, how permits work, and what it typically costs.
Start with your condo documents
Before you pick a tile, read three things:
- The declaration. It defines where your unit ends and the common elements begin. Some pipes, walls and even windows may belong to the corporation, not you.
- The bylaws. They set out how the board reviews and approves owner alterations.
- The rules and renovation policy. This is where you'll find work hours, elevator booking, deposits, contractor requirements and flooring standards.
If you're buying a condo with plans to renovate, review the status certificate with your lawyer before you firm up. It can reveal restrictions you'd want to know about.
What renovations can you do in a condo?
Every building is different, but this is how common projects usually play out:
| Project | Board approval | City permit |
|---|---|---|
| Painting | Usually not | No |
| New flooring | Usually yes | No |
| Kitchen or bathroom, same layout | Often yes | Usually not |
| Moving plumbing fixtures | Yes | Usually yes |
| New lighting or electrical | Usually yes | ESA notification by a Licensed Electrical Contractor |
| Removing a wall | Yes, plus engineering | Yes |
| Balcony or other common elements | Yes, plus a Section 98 agreement | Sometimes |
So, do you need permission to renovate a condo? For anything beyond cosmetic work, usually yes. Get written approval before work starts, not a verbal okay in the lobby.
Board approval and Section 98 agreements
Under Ontario's Condominium Act, if you want to make an addition, alteration or improvement to the common elements, the board must approve it and you must sign an agreement with the corporation. People call this a Section 98 agreement. It sets out who pays for the change, who maintains and insures it, and who owns it, and it's registered on title.
Changes that stay entirely inside your unit may not trigger Section 98, but your declaration may still require board approval. When in doubt, ask your property manager early.
Building rules that shape your schedule
- Work hours. Noisy work is commonly limited to weekday daytime hours, often with no work on Sundays.
- Elevator and loading dock bookings. Deliveries and debris removal need to be booked in advance, and busy buildings fill up fast.
- Deposits and protection. Many buildings require a damage deposit and protection for hallways and elevators.
- Water shut-offs. Plumbing work often means shutting off water to a riser, which affects your neighbours and needs notice.
- Fire systems. Anything near sprinklers, alarms or fire separations needs coordination with management.
- Insurance paperwork. Most boards ask for your contractor's liability insurance certificate and WSIB clearance before work begins.
Flooring: the rule that catches most owners
Most Toronto condo towers are built on concrete slabs, so footstep noise travels straight down. Boards commonly require hard flooring to go over an acoustic underlay that meets a specific sound rating set by the building. Check the requirement and get approval before you buy flooring. A floor that doesn't meet the standard can lead to disputes and, in the worst case, having to redo it.
City permits and electrical in a condo
Board approval and city permits are separate. In Toronto or Mississauga, relocating or adding plumbing fixtures, structural changes and some heating and ventilation changes generally need a building permit, even in a condo. Electrical work, like adding pot lights, must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor and filed with ESA. Concrete ceilings and slabs also limit where you can move drains and add lighting, which is worth knowing before you design around a new layout.
Condo renovation cost in Toronto
Condo renovation costs in Toronto commonly run somewhere around $100 to $300 per square foot in 2026, depending on scope and finishes. As rough ranges before HST:
- Condo kitchen: about $25,000 to $60,000
- Standard condo bathroom: about $12,000 to $25,000
- Flooring, paint and built-ins: varies widely with square footage and materials
Condo work often costs a bit more than similar work in a house, sometimes 10 to 20% more, because of restricted hours, elevator bookings, protection requirements and carrying materials through the building.
How long does a condo renovation take?
Board approval typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, longer if your board meets monthly, so submit your package well ahead of your start date. On-site work for a kitchen or bathroom often runs 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the scope and the building's rules.
Condo renovation checklist
- Read your declaration, bylaws and renovation rules
- Talk to your property manager about what needs approval
- Prepare drawings and a scope of work
- Collect your contractor's insurance certificate and WSIB clearance
- Submit your application and wait for written approval
- Apply for any city permits and ESA notifications
- Book elevators and loading dock times
- Confirm flooring meets your building's sound rating
Condo renovations in Etobicoke and across the GTA
Levand Construction is a general contractor based in Etobicoke, serving Toronto, Mississauga and the GTA. Our renovation services include permitting and code compliance, and we carry general liability insurance and WSIB coverage on every job, which is what most condo boards ask to see. For a small example of condo work, see our built-in shelving project in Humber Bay, designed to fill an awkward space by the window and look like it was always there.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need permission to renovate a condo in Ontario?
For most work beyond painting and minor cosmetic updates, yes. Check your declaration and rules, and get written board approval before you start. Changes to common elements also need a Section 98 agreement.
What is a Section 98 agreement?
It's an agreement between a unit owner and the condo corporation under Ontario's Condominium Act, required when an owner makes an addition, alteration or improvement to the common elements. It covers cost, maintenance, insurance and ownership of the change, and is registered on title.
Do I need a city permit to renovate my condo in Toronto?
You generally need a building permit for structural changes, relocating or adding plumbing fixtures, and some heating and ventilation work. Cosmetic updates don't usually need one. Electrical work is filed with ESA by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Can I change the flooring in my condo?
Usually, but most buildings require approval and an acoustic underlay that meets a set sound rating, especially for hard flooring. Check before you buy materials.
How much does a condo renovation cost in Toronto?
In 2026, condo renovations in Toronto commonly run around $100 to $300 per square foot. A condo kitchen often costs about $25,000 to $60,000, and a standard condo bathroom about $12,000 to $25,000, before HST.
Planning a condo renovation in Etobicoke, Toronto or Mississauga? Call Levand Construction at (647) 390-7633 or get in touch and we will help you scope it.
