Building Permit - Will You Need One for Your Home Renovations?

If you plan on renovating your house, whether it’s a transformation, remodel, or extension, checking whether you need to apply for a building permit with the city is paramount. 

How do you know if you need a permit for your project? How much does it cost? What happens if you fail to comply with bylaws and regulations?

Since we strive to streamline it all by explaining everything down to the last detail, this article is filled with helpful information regarding residential building permit acquisitions. 

Building Permit Requirements—How and When to Get a Construction Permit?

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One of the main purposes of building permits is to make sure that a homeowner’s renovation or remodelling project meets Building Code standards, ensuring everyone’s safety—yours and your neighbours! As such, you’ll definitely need to provide all information and documents outlining your project. 

If it meets fixed municipal terms and conditions, a building permit will be issued a few days after submitting a request application. Throughout the renovation process, it’s important to display said permit on the worksite at all times. Inspectors can stop by at any time to check in on the work, ensuring everything is done according to the plans submitted.

Your permit risks being declined if your project doesn’t comply with the required municipal regulations, or if you fail to submit all necessary paperwork. As such, gather all the information needed and put together a meticulous file!

What Type of Work Requires a Building Permit?

A building permit is required for everything that has to do with changes made to walls or partitions. Along the same lines, if the work you planned on executing involves load-bearing walls, you’ll need a building engineer or architect to green light your plans. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of work requiring a building permit:

• Replacing windows and exterior doors (meaning making new openings or changing their size)

• Building a balcony, stairs, deck, veranda, ramp, or porch

• Replacing a toilet, faucet, shower, or anything needing plumbing work

• Putting in an inground pool

• Restoring, repairing, or replacing a parking space that requires plumbing work

• Putting in a hot tub with a capacity of over 2,000 litres

• Changing an interior door that opens onto a common area (for apartment buildings or condos)

• Building a shed exceeding 15 square metres and/or 4 metres high

• Landscaping work that affects the property’s foundation

• Stripping more than 50% of the property’s siding or carrying out cladding work

• Building a loft area/mezzanine

• Excavation work

When Is a Building Permit Not Mandatory?

A building permit isn’t required for all repair or maintenance work. Below is a non-exhaustive list of work that doesn't require a permit:

• Erecting a fence

• Replacing drywall or ceiling finishes (using ⅝-inch thick Type X drywall is mandatory on all load-bearing walls)

• Upgrading interior doors (the doors in question can’t open onto common areas)

• Replacing bathroom or kitchen cabinets

• Repairing or replacing a sink (as long as the plumbing parts aren’t changed)

• Replacing a toilet, faucet, or shower (without changing plumbing)

• Maintaining or restoring a balcony, terrace, deck, ramp, or stairs

• Repairing outdoor siding (less than 50% of the surface can be stripped)

• Landscaping work (those not affecting the foundation)

• Putting in an above-ground pool

• Building a shed (under 15 square metres and 4 metres tall)

• Setting up a hot tub with a maximum capacity of 2,000 litres

• Restoring, repairing, or replacing a parking space that doesn’t require plumbing work

Why Request a Building Permit from the City for a Renovation Project?

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The municipality in which the work will be done is charged with issuing building permits for residential renovation purposes. This authorization allows the municipality in question to oversee different aspects of a renovation project and ensure the construction work complies with current city-wide standards. 

For example, in Quebec, the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), and Revenu Québec will be kept abreast of the work carried out. The information gathered during the building permit application process will allow concerned authorities to have an overview of the construction work ordered, ensuring tax fairness and consumer protection. 

Renovating Without a Permit: Risks Involved

Here are the risks you’re potentially exposing yourself to if you plan on renovating without requesting a building permit. We’ll let you decide whether it’s worth breaking the law over some paperwork.

Failure to comply could result in a fine of $350 to $4,000. Note that if you request a building permit after the fact, it could incur additional fees and potential legal action if the construction work done isn’t standard-compliant. Moreover, non-compliant renovations are torn down. 

Construction Permit Application: An Essential Factor for Lawful Renovations

Securing a building permit prior to carrying out renovations is often required to comply with local bylaws. However, some minor renovations might not need one. A permit is typically required for structural changes, extensions, or alterations affecting electrical systems or plumbing. Take the necessary amount of time to research local requirements to avoid fines and potential issues down the line.  

FAQ Building Permits in Canada

How can you obtain a building permit online?

Since the pandemic, some municipalities, such as Montréal, have made submitting a building permit request online possible. However, such service may solely be available for permits relating to interior remodelling. Check with your local authorities to determine whether you can proceed with your request online or not.

How long is a residential building permit status valid?

Once you’re issued a building permit for your residence, it’s best to start the work as soon as possible at the risk of it expiring. Your building permit status will become invalid when:

• work is still pending 12 months following permit issuance;

• work isn’t completed within the 18 months following permit issuance;

• work is halted for more than 6 months.

When a permit issued by a municipality expires, the applicant automatically loses the rights granted. As such, property owners have to reapply to operate as a legal permit holder. 

What does a building permit cost?

The cost of a building permit varies from one city to the next and the scale of the remodelling work planned. To give you an idea as to the costs involved, in Montréal, a building permit costs $9.80 per $1,000 in project costs, for a minimum of $161 (2024 rates).

However, in some cases, there's a possibility of extending your building or remodelling permit once. Doing so costs 25% of the original permit fee, for a minimum of $161 for residential projects. 

Contact your municipality for more information.

How long does it take to get a building permit?

It depends on the city in which you submit a request; the processing time can take anywhere from five to ten business days, provided your project proposal complies with city regulations and bylaws.