Building & Renovating

The following is a list of common projects that require a building permit.

The list is not exhaustive, so if you have any questions please contact Chief Building Official:

1. Construct a new building

2. Construct an addition to an existing building, such as

• second or third story additions
• attached garages, carports
• sunrooms
• solariums, porches, decks

3. Make structural or material alterations, such as:

• adding or removing walls (i.e., changing room sizes and/or uses)
• new windows or doors where there were none before
• enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors
• enclosing an existing deck, porch or patio of any size

4. Construct an accessory structure larger than 10 square meters in gross area, such as:

• Detached Garage
• Workshop
• Carport
• Pool house or cabana
• Sheds greater than 15 square meters

If you are constructing an accessory structure and it is attached to an existing building and/or has plumbing, regardless of its size, a building permit is required.

5. Finishing a basement

6. Energy and environmental building improvements, such as:

• roof top storm water retention systems
• green roofs
• structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW
• solar projects such as installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems

7. Constructing a tent that:

• covers more than 60 meters squared (646 square feet); and/or
• is attached to a building; and/or
• is within 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) from another structure

8. Demolish or remove all, or a portion of a building

9. Install or reconstruct a chimney or fireplace

10. Install a wood burning stove or fireplace

11. Install or modify heating and or plumbing systems

12. Install a backwater valve

13. Install a backflow prevention device

14. Recladding a house located within 24" of the property line

15. Adding insulation to your building envelope

16. Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed, if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required

The following are examples of work which do not require a building permit and are not subject to the provisions of the building code. However, please note that this list is not exhaustive and judgment should be used depending on the situation and circumstances associated with the project. Even if a building permit is not required, compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.

1. An uncovered platform (e.g. deck) provided:

• It is not attached to a structure
• Is less than 108 square feet in area
• And is less than 24” above grade from the walking surface

2. Installing a skylight in an existing building provided:

• the building is a house or small building (3 stories or less) and
• the installation does not require the removal of any rafter, joist, or other similar structural member (with the exception of a truss);

3. The replacement of windows or doors provided:

• there is no change in the location or size of the window and/or door;
• the structural support for the opening (i.e. lintel) is not affected; and
• a new exit is not created;

4. Replacing a furnace or boiler in a house;

5. The installation of additional cooling systems, gas fireplaces, air cleaners, or in-line humidifiers in a house;

6. Repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures if you aren’t increasing the fixture count or modifying the drains and vents;

7. Replacing existing roofing material provided no structural work is required;

8. Installation of cabinetry and millwork.

9. Plastic Sheet Covered Accessory Structures (i.e. snow canopies, driveway tents, automotive canopy) do not require a building permit.  Compliance with the Zoning Bylaw is required.

10. Constructing a retaining wall that is on private property, not accessible to the public and/or where the height is less than 1 meter in height at any location.

11. A building permit is not required to install a temporary “hoop house” which has roll up plastic tarping, open ends, the hoops are not encased in concrete piers in the ground and the tarping is removed in the winter months. A hoop house is used for agricultural farming purposes only.

The cost of a building permit varies by the type of property and the nature of the work being done. The current permit prices can be found here. Once we have received your application we will calculate the fees payable for your project and an invoice will be prepared in Cloudpermit.

Please remember that you must obtain a building permit before you start any work, if you start work without a permit your permit fees may be doubled and you may receive a fine.

Building-Fees.pdf

Please contact the building department directly to arrange an inspection. Your project will have specific stages which require you to notify the Chief Building Official of readiness for inspection.  Your permit placard will indicate the stages of the project that requires inspection. Contact the building department if you have any questions or are seeking clarification.