Change of Use & Tenant Fit-Out Permit Drawings

Commercial Tenant Fit-Out & Change of Use Drawings

Permit-ready, Ontario Building Code compliant drawings for retail, office, and light commercial tenant improvements, including change of use projects. Designed to keep approvals moving and construction clear.

What is a tenant fit-out or change of use?

A tenant fit-out (tenant improvement) is the work required to adapt a commercial space for a new tenant's use, often inside an existing building. This can include new partitions, washrooms, accessibility upgrades, fire separations, mechanical changes, and electrical/lighting updates.

A change of use occurs when a space shifts from one occupancy classification to another. For example, converting an office to a medical clinic, a retail store to a restaurant, or a warehouse to an assembly space. Change of use projects often trigger additional Building Code requirements that didn't apply to the previous occupancy.

Even when the building shell already exists, many interior changes and change of use projects require a building permit. This is especially true when the work affects life safety, exits, plumbing, HVAC, fire-rated assemblies, or occupancy classification.

When a permit is commonly required

You may need permit drawings for tenant fit-outs and change of use projects such as:

Change of use (office to clinic, retail to restaurant, storage to assembly, warehouse to gym)
New or relocated walls, doors, or room layouts
New washrooms, plumbing fixtures, or kitchenettes
Accessibility upgrades (barrier-free routes, doors, washrooms)
Changes to exits, corridors, occupant load, or travel distances
Fire separations, fire-rated doors, or suite separations
Mechanical/HVAC modifications and ventilation requirements

If you're unsure whether your project qualifies as a change of use, we can help you confirm what your municipality will expect before you spend money building the wrong thing.

Small Buildings design (why it matters)

Many tenant fit-outs and change of use projects fall under Ontario "Small Buildings" scope (commonly up to 3 storeys and 600 m²). That category still has strict Building Code requirements, especially around:

Fire and life safety
Exiting and egress
Barrier-free design
Plumbing and ventilation
Construction details and documentation quality

Neo-Scenic Designs provides BCIN-certified design and permit drawing support for small building projects across Ontario, with a focus on clarity, compliance, and smooth approvals.

What we deliver (permit-ready drawing package)

Your fit-out or change of use drawings are tailored to the project and municipality, and may include:

Existing and proposed floor plans
Change of use documentation (occupancy classification, code analysis)
Life safety and code information (as applicable)
Door schedules and hardware notes (as needed)
Washroom layouts and barrier-free clearances
Reflected ceiling plan (when required)
Interior elevations and key details
Fire separation and fire-rating notes and details
Coordination notes for mechanical/electrical (and HVAC/energy support when applicable)

Goal: a clean, review-ready set that contractors can build from and municipalities can approve with fewer back-and-forth questions.

How we quote (accurate pricing, no surprises)

Our process (simple + transparent)

QUICK INTAKE

ARCH. QUOTE

SITE INFO

ARCH. DRAFTING

ENGINEERING QUOTES

COORDINATION

SUBMITTAL

MUNICIPAL REVISIONS

1. QUICK INTAKE

2. ARCH. QUOTE

3. SITE INFO

4. ARCH DRAFTING

5. ENGINEERING QUOTES

6. COORDINATION

7. SUBMITTAL

8. MUNICIPAL REVISIONS

Timelines (plan ahead)

Who this is for

BUSINESS OWNERS

TENANTS

LANDLORS

CONTRACTORS

Why Neo-Scenic Designs

BCIN-certified small buildings design support in Ontario
Change of use expertise – we identify code triggers early so there are no surprises
Discipline-by-discipline quoting – accurate pricing based on actual design, not guesswork
Fixed-fee quotes and clear scope
Fast turnaround (project-dependent)
HVAC and energy support when needed
Unlimited revisions until permit approval (within the agreed scope)
A straightforward, educational approach so you understand what you're building and why

FAQ

What counts as a change of use?

A change of use occurs when the occupancy classification changes. For example, Group D (office) to Group B (medical), Group E (retail) to Group A-2 (restaurant), or Group F (industrial) to Group A-2 (gym). Each classification has different code requirements.

Quoting architectural, structural, and mechanical work separately gives you a clear breakdown of costs. We wait until the architectural design is finalized before quoting structural and mechanical work. This way, those quotes reflect the actual scope of work rather than rough estimates.

That's normal. We revise and respond so you can keep moving toward approval.

How long does the permit process take?

Once submitted, commercial permits in Ontario have a 25-day review timeline. However, if revisions are required or multiple review cycles are needed, the full approval process can take 3 to 6 months. We recommend starting early to account for this timeline.

Often, yes. Interior changes can affect exits, fire separations, plumbing, ventilation, and accessibility. These are items municipalities review closely. Change of use projects almost always require permit drawings.

That's normal. We revise and respond so you can keep moving toward approval.

Can you work with my contractor and trades?

Yes. Clear drawings reduce site questions and help pricing stay accurate.

What if the municipality asks for changes?

That's normal. We revise and respond so you can keep moving toward approval.

Ready to Talk about your project?

Ready to fit out your space or navigate a change of use without permit surprises?

Send your address, current use, intended use, and a quick description of the changes. We'll guide you through the next steps and provide a fixed-fee quote.

Neo-Scenic Designs

Ailsa Craig, Ontario, Canada

+1 (226) 780-9886

[email protected]

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm

Saturday-Sunday: 10am-2pm