Building Permits

Please note: Turnaround time on plan review for residential projects is 7-10 business days. Turnaround time on commercial projects is 15-20 business days.

No work shall occur prior to the building permit being issued.

The owner of each building in Saskatchewan shall ensure that the building is designed, constructed, erected, placed, altered, repaired, renovated, demolished, removed, used or occupied in accordance with the building standards (current edition of National Building Code as adopted).

Construction Requirements: Section 8 of the UBAS Act & Regulations

Part 3 Projects: Include, but are not limited to, any care occupancy, assembly occupancy, high hazard industrial occupancy, building larger than 600 m², and three (3) storeys or more in height. The owner shall have an architect. The owner shall have an architect or engineer complete the design or design review of the building and all building structures.

Part 4 Structures: The owner shall have an architect or engineer complete the design or design review of the structure to ensure compliance with the design and the review required by Code. Part 4 projects require the services of a Class III Building Official.

Part 9 Projects: The owner shall ensure that a competent person acceptable to the appropriate local authority has designed or reviewed the design of the building. Part 9 projects require the services of any class building official.

Building Permits

A permit is required whenever work regulated by the UBAS Act & Regulations is to be undertaken and shall include, but is not limited to:

• New building construction, including garages, decks, and mobile homes;
• Structural changes to existing buildings;
• New and ready to move (RTM) buildings;
• Demolition, repair, relocation alteration or addition to an existing building or structure;
• Change of occupancy or use of an existing building;
• Accessory buildings larger than 10 m² (100 ft²);
• Decks over 1200 mm (12″) above grade, and roof enclosures over existing or new decks; and
• Basement development in existing or new buildings.

No permit required for the following: 

Residential: 

1. Fences – must comply with Zoning Bylaw Regs
2. Shed less than 100 ft² – must comply with Zoning Bylaw Regs
3. Decks / platforms less than 12” above grade;
4. Doing superficial residential interior upgrades – new cabinets, flooring, paint etc. as long as no structural changes are being made
5. Exterior residential upgrades – new siding, stucco, shingles, replacing windows or doors as long as no structural changes are being made
6. Upgrades / replacement fixtures such as plumbing or electrical – those permits may be required but not building

Commercial: 

1. Upgrades / replacement to fixtures such as plumbing or electrical – those permits may be required but not building

** Commercial has many different uses and occupancy classifications and therefore  owners should always inquire about a permit with regards to any changes being made. Inquiries can be made with the building department at (306) 848-3221. 

No owner, or agent of the owner, shall work, authorize work or allow work to proceed on a project for which a permit is required, unless a valid permit exists for the work to be done. The owner and agents of the owner shall ensure that work regulated by the bylaw is completed in conformity with applicable codes, regulations, standards and any municipal bylaws.

If the scope of the proposed work requires the technical expertise of an architect or professional engineer, the Building Official may require, as a condition of the application, that all of the drawings and specifications, or any part thereof, be prepared, reviewed, sealed and signed by the architect or engineer who shall be registered in Saskatchewan.

Application for Building Permit

Building permit applications can be made a City Hall, Planning and Development Department, faxed or e-mail, along with the application form. Plan review will be completed for all projects to ensure compliance with the Code as well as any applicable municipal bylaws such as the Zoning Bylaw.

Information required to be submitted for permit

• Site plan showing the existing buildings on site as well as the located of the proposed project complete with all dimensions as well as setback distances to the property lines.
• Foundation Plan – show the location and dimensions of walls, beams, columns, piles, footings and all other construction details and materials;
• Cross Section Plan – showing the details of construction for all exterior walls, floor systems, interior walls, roof system and exterior finish;
• Floor Plan – show the location and dimensions of all labelled rooms, location of windows and doors. The floor plan shall also include the electrical plan showing smoke and carbon monoxide detector locations;
• List of all contractors who will be involved in the project;
• Estimated construction value of the project; and
• Anticipated start and completion date
• Additional information may be required by the Building Official in order to complete a thorough review to ensure compliance with the Code.

Please note that NO development shall proceed, nor building permit application be made, without a Development Permit except for:

• Maintenance or repair work where a building permit is not required;
• Temporary facilities required for the duration of development operations in which a development permit has been approved;
• Accessory buildings less than 75m²; or
• Fences;

An approved building permit for a detached, semi-detached or duplex dwelling unit shall also constitute as a development permit.

Important Note: Some plan reviews may take several weeks before approval can be granted so please take that into consideration when planning or scheduling your project and ensure all necessary approvals are in place prior to building permit application to avoid further delay.

Building Permit Fee Schedule

Permit fees shall be paid at time of application or upon issuance of the said building permit.

Calculation of fees is based on $5 / $1,000 of construction value with a minimum permit fee of $50 for Part 9 projects and a minimum fee of $2,000 for Part 3 projects. The penalty for beginning a project without a permit is double the applicable permit fee.

For more information please contact the building department at (306) 848-3221.