Permits

Relevant Documents

Who needs a permit?

A building permit is required for all types of construction: building, renovating, demolishing or relocating.

What is the first step?

Call or visit the Protective Services Department ahead of time to find out if the project is permitted and what the requirements are prior to development.

We are open from Monday – Friday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. For information, phone (902) 648-2623 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What do I potentially require before I apply?

Approval from the Department of Environment for the on-site sewage system
Driveway permit from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Check local knowledge for suitable quantity and quality of water for a private well
Easement from NS Power for electrical connection.
Set of building plans with details on foundation, footings, columns, carrying beams, floor joists, bearing walls and roof trusses/rafters
Plot plan with setbacks and distances from any adjacent properties, other structures on the lot and street lines
Review our land-use by-laws to ensure that your development is appropriate in the zone.

How do I get approved?

After your application is completed and all the above-required information and approvals are submitted, it will be reviewed by the appropriate staff to make sure that your proposed project complies with land use, engineering regulations, and the Building Code.

When will my permit be issued?

When all the required approvals and plans are submitted to the Building Inspection Department, your permit will be reviewed and approved, if found satisfactory, within seven days. Your permit will expire after one year from the date the permit was issued and may be renewed for another year at no charge.

When do I require an inspection?

Provincial Building Code Regulations require a total of five mandatory inspections. It is your responsibility to notify the Building Inspection Department that you are ready for the appropriate inspection, 24 hours in advance.

The Building Inspector will inspect during the following stages of construction (as per Section 35 of the NS Building Code Regulations):

When footings are in place.
Subfloor Plumbing
Subfloor & Foundation Insulation
Pre-Backfill
Framing
Plumbings
Insulation & Vapour Barrier (Before Drywall or Covering)
Final (Before Occupancy)

Before you move into the new building, you are required to call the Building Inspection Department for an occupancy inspection to ensure that all work completed complies with the Building Code and no unsafe conditions exist. This is mandatory!

What is a Building and/or Development Permit Required for?

New building construction
Structural change
Building demolition
Building relocation
Change of use
All sheds, garages, and accessory structures
Decks and stairs
Roof enclosure over an existing or new deck
Alterations/Renovations valued over $5,000

Note: Any work not included in the approved Building Permit such as decks or finished basements will require a separate permit.

What is a Building and/or Development Permit NOT required for?

Fences
Cosmetic repairs such as painting
Change of occupant with the same use
Replacing doors and windows in existing openings; unless the structure is altered
Replacing roofing; unless the structure is altered
Non-structural work value less than $5000

Note: It is the responsibility of the owner to obtain required permits prior to starting construction.

What should you bring when obtaining a permit?

Complete set of building plans/construction drawings
Value of construction
Permit fee
Names of the contractors, general contractors, licensed plumber, licensed electrician, mason, etc.
Site plan with dimensions from building(s) to property lines

Note: It is the responsibility of the owner and the contractor to ensure all work carried out is in accordance with the Building Code and the Land use By-Law, even if a permit is not required

During what stages of construction are inspections required?

Sewer connections before filling in the trench
Footings before pouring foundation walls.
Before backfilling the foundation.
Framing, roof tight, rough plumbing, and mechanical
Insulation/Vapour Barrier before covering interior walls and ceilings.
Final Inspection prior to any use or occupancy of a building.

Note: An occupancy permit is required prior to occupancy of the building.

What are the drawing requirements for new buildings/additions?

One complete set of construction drawings is required. These drawings must be drawn to scale and should include the following:

Site Plan

Showing property and building dimensions and distances to property lines.

Structural Drawings

Showing foundation plan (type, size & dimensions), floor plans, columns, bearing walls, stairs, ramps, roof plan and structural details.

Building Elevations

Showing exterior finishes (all views), finished grade level, windows, doors, chimneys, stairs, etc.

Floor Plans

Showing all room dimensions, wall types, window and door schedules and room finish schedules.

Sections

Showing building and wall sections (all construction materials), grade level, floor heights, and stair sections.

Coastal Hazard Map

This Coastal Hazard Map is a new tool you can use to make informed decisions and support action.

The map shows the worst-case scenario: what sea level rise and storm surge could look like during a high tide in the year 2100. This information is currently shown up to 100 metres inland, along the province’s coast. This is where impacts will be felt the most.

You can look at information in this tool in a variety of ways. You can look up a community, civic address or property identification number (PID) and move around the map, zooming in and out to see larger areas. If you look up a property and then click on it, you will see the number of metres of flooding that are projected in the year 2100, from highest tide, storm surge and sea level rise combined.

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