Ontario Design Studio prepares BCIN-certified permit drawings for restaurant fit-outs and commercial kitchens across Ontario - from quick-service counters to full-service dining rooms. A restaurant is an assembly occupancy under the Ontario Building Code, which means occupancy loads, exiting, barrier-free washrooms, and a compliant kitchen exhaust system all come under scrutiny. We prepare a coordinated submission and align it with the health, fire, electrical, and gas approvals a restaurant needs, so you can open without costly delays.
What a Restaurant Fit-Out Permit Involves
A restaurant fit-out is one of the most demanding commercial permits. Your drawing set typically has to resolve:
- Occupancy load & exiting - seating capacity, number and width of exits, and travel distances
- Barrier-free design - accessible entrance, washroom, and path of travel per OBC 3.8
- Commercial kitchen ventilation - Type I grease hood, exhaust, and make-up air
- Plumbing - fixtures, floor drains, and a grease interceptor
- Fire separations & finishes - flame-spread ratings and separations from other tenants
- Coordinated mechanical, electrical, and gas design
Opening a restaurant or café?
Ontario Design Studio delivers coordinated, OBC-compliant restaurant fit-out drawings across Ontario and the GTA. Call 416-558-9607 or request your free quote.
Commercial Kitchen Ventilation & Grease Exhaust
Kitchen exhaust is where most restaurant permits succeed or stall. Any equipment producing grease-laden vapour - fryers, griddles, ranges, charbroilers - requires a Type I (grease) hood, a fire-rated grease duct routed to the exterior with the required clearances, a make-up air system to balance the exhausted air, and fire suppression over the cooking line, all to OBC and NFPA 96. We design the hood and exhaust in coordination with the mechanical drawings and confirm any structural support needed for rooftop units.
Plumbing & Grease Interceptor
Commercial kitchens require a grease interceptor sized to the fixture load to keep grease out of the municipal sewer, plus floor drains, mop sinks, and correctly vented supply and drainage. We show the full plumbing layout and interceptor sizing in the permit set.
Approvals Beyond the Building Permit
A restaurant usually needs more than one approval. In addition to the building permit, expect:
- Public Health review of the kitchen and food-handling layout
- Fire Department sign-off on suppression and exiting
- ESA electrical permit and TSSA gas approval
We build the drawings so these reviews line up rather than conflict.
Restaurant Fit-Out Costs
Restaurant and commercial kitchen drawings typically range from $5,000 to $15,000+, depending on size and the amount of mechanical, plumbing, and structural work. This is separate from municipal, health, fire, and utility fees. See our complete 2026 cost guide for details.
Cities We Serve
Related Resources
- Commercial Building Permit Drawings
- MEP Drawings - HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical
- Structural Engineering Drawings
- Commercial Permit Timelines in Ontario
- Building Permit Drawing Cost Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a restaurant fit-out in Ontario?
Yes. Interior restaurant fit-outs, kitchen equipment and exhaust, plumbing, seating layouts, and any change of use require a building permit with OBC-compliant drawings. Restaurants are an assembly occupancy, so they also typically need public-health approval, fire-department sign-off, and separate electrical (ESA) and gas (TSSA) permits.
What does a commercial kitchen exhaust hood require in Ontario?
Cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapour requires a Type I (grease) hood, a fire-rated grease duct run to the exterior with the required clearances, a make-up air system to replace exhausted air, and fire suppression over the cooking line, all designed to the Ontario Building Code and NFPA 96. We coordinate the kitchen exhaust design with the mechanical and structural drawings.
How much do restaurant fit-out drawings cost in Ontario?
Restaurant and commercial kitchen fit-out drawings typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the size of the space and how much mechanical, plumbing, and structural work is involved. This is separate from municipal permit fees and health, fire, and utility approvals. See our building permit cost guide for a full breakdown.