Home Renovations

Home renovations require permits if you are:

• Making structural changes such as moving or removing walls.
• Creating new openings in interior or exterior walls, including new or relocated windows or doors.
• Building an addition.
• Installing new, or making changes to existing electrical systems, plumbing systems, or gas systems.
• Moving or demolishing a building from a site, whether entirely or partially.

• Development Permit – Required for additions to an existing structure and demolitions. Apply for a development permit before applying for a building permit.
• Building Permit – Required for new buildings, additions, renovations, relocations, and demolitions.
• Safety Codes Permits – Required for electrical, plumbing, gas, private sewage, service connection and occupancy.
• Clearing and Grading Permit – Required for site work involving cuts or fills and grading, such as tree clearing, grubbing, topsoil stripping, stockpiling, or excavation.
• Utility Installation / Street Occupation Permit – Required for construction or development projects that use, block, or occupy municipal roads.

Not sure which permits you need? Contact the Service Centre.

Permits are not required for:

• Construction, including renovations or additions, valued at $5,000 or less, if there are no structural changes and no health or safety concerns.
• Painting, decorating, re-roofing or re-siding, provided there are no structural changes and no health or safety impacts.
• Replacing or altering ducting serving a space-heating appliance in a single-family home, if no design change to the overall heating and ventilation system is required.

Permit timelines vary based on factors such as project type, complexity, completeness of your application, and any required changes.

For detailed timelines, view Process, Fees, and Timelines.

The total cost of your project depends on the permits required. Fees are updated annually by Council. 

For detailed permit fees, view Process, Fees, and Timelines.