Building permits across Nova Scotia
Do I need a building permit? What does it cost?
35 of 49 municipalities in Nova Scotia have an adopted bylaw on building permits on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town |
Building By-Law No. D-6 (Town of Amherst)
adopted 2025-06-23 |
permit required for: design, construction, erection, placement and occupancy of new buildings, and the alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal relocation, occupancy and change of occupancy classification of existing buildings · fees set in: Town of Amherst User Fee Policy, Policy 3470-03 · administered by: Building Official | 2026-10-18 |
| Annapolis County municipality |
Bylaw 11 Building (Municipality of the County of Annapolis)
adopted 2026-02-17 |
permit required for: A permit is required as per the Building Code Act and Building Code Regulations. · fees set in: Policy 135 Fees · administered by: Municipality | 2026-10-18 |
| Annapolis Royal Town |
Building By-law #108-2026 (Town of Annapolis Royal)
adopted 2026-02-18 |
permit required for: Interior and exterior non-structural repairs with a monetary value of more than $10,000.00. · exemptions: Accessory building not greater than 20 square meters; storm windows; ground level patios and walkways; replacing existing roofing; non-structural repairs $10,000.00 or less. · permit fees: Building Inspector may place a value on the cost of work, based on an accepted costing standard, for determining the applicable permit fee. | 2026-10-18 |
| Argyle District municipality |
By-law #17A Building (Municipality of the District of Argyle) | permit required for: Creation of additional units; change of use or tenant in buildings other than residential occupancy, regardless of extent of construction. · exemptions: Accessory building not used for human habitation, not greater than 20 square metres (215 square feet) and one storey; ground level patios, walkways, landscaping; non-structural alterations/repairs $5000 or less. · fees set in: Fees Policy | 2026-10-18 |
| Barrington District municipality |
By-law No. 20 Building By-law (Municipality of the District of Barrington) | fees set in: resolution of Council · administered by: authority having jurisdiction | 2026-10-18 |
| Bridgewater Town |
Chapter 37 Building Code By-law (Town of Bridgewater) | permit required for: Swimming pools; retaining walls over six (6) feet in height. · fees set in: Fees Policy · administered by: Building Official | 2026-10-18 |
| Cape Breton Regional municipality |
Building By-law No. B-300, 2022 (Cape Breton Regional Municipality), with amendments to November 14, 2023
adopted 2022-03-08 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| Colchester County municipality |
Chapter 30: Building Code By-law (Municipality of the County of Colchester) | fees set in: Municipal Fees Policy approved by Municipal Council · administered by: Municipality's Building Inspectors | 2026-10-18 |
| Cumberland County municipality |
Building By-Law 16-01 (Municipality of the County of Cumberland)
adopted 2016-12-14 |
exemptions: No demolition permit is required for any detached building measuring twenty (20) square meters (215.2 square feet) or less. · fees set in: Municipality's Fees Policy · administered by: Building Official | 2026-10-18 |
| Digby District municipality |
Building By-Law #2023-01 (Municipality of the District of Digby)
adopted 2023-03-28 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| Digby Town |
The Building By-law No. 2023-04
adopted 2024-02-06 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| East Hants District municipality |
Building Bylaw P-900 (amended by P-900-1)
adopted 2022-02-23 |
exemptions: accessory buildings not used for human habitation, not greater than 20 square metres; interior/exterior non-structural alterations and repairs with monetary value $10,000 or less · fees set in: Municipal Fees Policy · administered by: Building Official | 2026-10-18 |
| Guysborough District municipality |
Building By-Law #1 | permit required for: public utility towers, flood control/hydro dams, fences over 2 m, swimming pools >.91 m, all other buildings not covered by Building Code, barns, sheds over 10 m2, shell warehouses/garages · exemptions: accessory buildings ≤10 m2; fences <2 m; work under $2,500: siding over existing finish, storm windows, roof replacement, ground-level patios/walkways, nonstructural repairs · permit fees: Residential/community/churches (excluding unfinished basements): $25.00 base + $0.15/sq ft; Commercial/Industrial: $25.00 + $0.20/sq ft; Accessory Buildings: $25.00 + $0.05/sq ft; Renovations and Repairs: $25.00 + $2.00 per $1,000.00; Permit Renewal Fee $25.00; Demolition Permit $25.00 base; Occupancy Permit no charge | 2026-10-18 |
| Halifax Regional municipality |
By-law B-201, Respecting the Building Code (Building By-Law), Halifax Regional Municipality
adopted 1998-04-14 |
permit required for: change of use or tenant in buildings of other than residential occupancy; creation of additional units · permit fees: Administrative Order 15 sets fees: per square metre for new residential construction of four dwelling units or less; per thousand dollars of construction value for renovations and all other construction. · fees set in: Administrative Order 15, the License, Permits and Processing Fees Administrative Order; Bylaw F-200, the Fees Bylaw (re-inspection fees) | 2026-10-18 |
| Kentville Town |
Bylaw 205 Building
adopted 2026-05-25 |
permit required for: Any work regulated under this Bylaw · permit fees: Fees are set out in Schedule "A"; e.g., $20 + 11 cents per sq. ft. for residential new construction, $20 + $2.20 per $1000 for repairs/renovations. · administered by: authority having jurisdiction (including a building official as designated under Section 46) | 2026-10-18 |
| Kings County municipality |
By-law 72 Building By-law
adopted 1987-03-03 |
fees set in: Policy for Fees · administered by: authority having jurisdiction | 2026-10-18 |
| Lockeport Town |
Town of Lockeport Building By-law Number 101 (with 2007 Part 3 permit fee amendment)
adopted 1997-07-14 |
permit fees: Per s. 3.1 table: e.g. $0.14/sq.ft. + $50.00 for commercial/industrial/institutional; $15.00 for demolition up to 500 sq. ft. · administered by: authority having jurisdiction | 2026-10-18 |
| Lunenburg District municipality |
Building Code By-law 018
adopted 2025-09-23 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| Lunenburg Town |
Town of Lunenburg By-law No. 31, Building By-law (with 1994 and 2001 amendments)
adopted 1987-10-29 |
permit required for: Constructing, altering, repairing, relocating, or installing a building; non-structural repairs over $5,000. · exemptions: Accessory buildings ≤20 m²; fences <2 m; siding over existing finish; storm windows; ground-level patios/walkways; replacing roofing; non-structural repairs ≤$5,000. · permit fees: $20.00 minimum non-refundable fee plus 0.2% of construction value. | 2026-10-18 |
| Mahone Bay Town |
Town of Mahone Bay Building By-Law
adopted 2013-03-12 |
permit required for: Constructing a building; interior and exterior non-structural repairs over $5,000. · exemptions: Accessory building not greater than 20 square meters (215.2 square feet); storm windows; ground level patios and walkways; replacing an existing roofing surface; non-structural repairs $5,000.00 or less. · fees set in: resolution of Town Council | 2026-10-18 |
| Middleton Town |
Building Bylaw (Chapter 19), Town of Middleton | permit required for: Work regulated by Building Code; design, construction, erection, placement and occupancy of new buildings; alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation, occupancy and change of occupancy classification of existing buildings. · exemptions: Accessory buildings not greater than 20 square metres; non-structural alterations/repairs with monetary value of five thousand dollars or less; new plumbing fixture not increasing hydraulic load or requiring alterations. · fees set in: Policy G.2.1 Fees - Building and Planning | 2026-10-18 |
| Mulgrave Town |
By-Law #18 Building By-Law, Town of Mulgrave
adopted 2013-09-03 |
permit required for: Fences over 2 m; swimming pools deeper than .91 m; all buildings greater than 10 m2 in building area. · exemptions: Accessory buildings ≤10 m2; fences <2 m; construction value <$2,000 (e.g. siding, storm windows, roofing, patios, non-structural repairs). · permit fees: $20.00 (non-refundable) plus $0.10 per square foot for residential buildings, community centres and churches, EXCLUDING unfinished basements; $20.00 (non-refundable) plus $0.14 per square foot for commercial and industrial buildings; $20.00 (non-refundable) plus $0.04 per square foot for sheds, shell warehouses, garages, barns and other farm buildings; $20.00 (non-refundable) plus 0.2% of value for alterations and repairs exceeding $2,500; $20.00 (non-refundable for Demolition Permits; NO CHARGE - Occupancy Permit. | 2026-10-18 |
| New Glasgow Town |
Bylaw Number 18 Building By-Law, Town of New Glasgow
adopted 2010-02-15 |
permit required for: A building permit is required if work regulated by the Building Code is to be done; required for all accessory buildings. · exemptions: Non-structural material alterations and material repairs with monetary value of five thousand dollars or less: replacing siding, repairing/replacing roofing, painting. · permit fees: Amended s. 12: $25 administration; commercial/institutional/industrial $25 + $0.18/sf; agricultural $25 + $0.08/sf; renovations $25 + $2.50/$1,000; accessory buildings $50; demolition $25. | 2026-10-18 |
| Pictou County municipality |
Building By-Law, Municipality of the County of Pictou
adopted 2011-02-07 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| Port Hawkesbury Town |
Building Permit Fees By-Law (Town of Port Hawkesbury)
adopted 2010-09-07 |
permit required for: Construction, repairs or alterations as required by the Act and the Building Code Regulations. · permit fees: Residential: Twenty Dollars ($20) plus $0.14 per square foot, per floor; and $0.08 per square foot for basements, finished or unfinished; mobile homes: Seventy Five Dollars ($75); commercial, industrial or institutional: Twenty Dollars ($20) plus $0.18 per square foot; agricultural: Twenty Dollars ($20) plus $0.08 per square foot; accessory: Fifty Dollars ($50) flat fee; additions/alterations: Twenty Dollars ($20) plus $2.50 per One Thousand Dollars ($1000) value of the construction. · fees set in: policy adopted pursuant to paragraph 49(1)(c)(iii) of the Municipal Government Act | 2026-10-18 |
| Queens Regional municipality |
Bylaw No. 1 - A Bylaw Respecting the Building Code Act (The Building Bylaw), Region of Queens Municipality
adopted 2000-04-17 |
administered by: authority having jurisdiction · fines: minimum penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) and maximum penalty not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5000) | 2026-10-18 |
| Richmond County municipality |
By-law #61 - Building Permit Fees By-Law (Municipality of the County of Richmond) | permit required for: Construction, repairs or alterations as required by the Act and the Building Code Regulations · permit fees: Residential (including modular homes): $20 plus $0.14 per square foot per floor; mobile homes: $75; commercial/industrial/institutional: $20 plus $0.18 per square foot; agricultural: $20 plus $0.08 per square foot; accessory: $50 flat; additions/alterations: $20 plus $2.50 per $1,000 value of construction. · administered by: building official | 2026-10-18 |
| Shelburne District municipality |
Building By-law, By-law Number B-100 (Municipality of the District of Shelburne)
adopted 2010-07-26 |
— | 2026-10-18 |
| Shelburne Town |
Town of Shelburne Building Code By-Law (By-Law No. 2)
adopted 2009-05-06 |
permit fees: Fees for permits shall be as follows: Residential Up to four units $0.10/sq.ft.+$25.00; Four units and over $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Residential Repairs & Renovations $1.00per$1,000.00+$25.00; Additions to Residential $0.10/sq.ft.+$25.00; Residential Outbuildings $0.04/sq.ft.+$25.00; Patio, Decks, Steps, Car-Ports, Etc. $1.00per$1,000.00+$25.00; Assembly $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Commercial $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Industrial $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Institutional $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Additional to Commercial, Industrial, Institutional $0.14/sq.ft.+$50.00; Repairs & Renovations other than Residential $1.00per$1,000.00sg.ft.+$50.00; Outbuildings other than Residential $0.06/sq.ft.+$35.00; Relocation of an Existing Structure or Mobile Homes $50.00; Demolition of a building Up to 500 sq.ft. $15.00; 500 sq.ft. and over $35.00; Location of New Mobile Homes $0.10/sq.ft.+$25.00; Replacement of a Single Family Dwelling $0.10/sq.ft.+$25.00. · administered by: authority having jurisdiction; Building Inspector | 2026-10-18 |
| Trenton Town |
Building Bylaw No. 98-001 (Town of Trenton) | permit required for: A Building Permit is required for all necessary buildings. · exemptions: Code does not apply to listed systems, towers, dams, equipment/tanks, signs, fences, retaining walls, modular/mobile homes; building permit not required for non-structural alterations/repairs ≤ $5,000 (siding, roofing, painting). · permit fees: Building permits: $25.00 plus $0.10/sq ft new construction/additions for residential, community centres, churches (excl. unfinished basements); $0.14/sq ft commercial/industrial/other; $0.04/sq ft sheds/garages/barns/accessory; $25.00 plus $2.00 per $1,000.00 repairs/alterations/renovations; $75.00 relocation; $50.00 pools; $15.00 renewal. Occupancy: Nil. Demolition: $25.00. | 2026-10-18 |
| Truro Town |
Building Bylaw B180-003 (Town of Truro)
adopted 2003-09-02 |
permit required for: Construction, renovation, demolition, repair, sign requiring building permit, temporary structure · permit fees: Administration fee $25.00 (new construction only); construction $0.06/ft2 residential, $0.10/ft2 non-residential; flat fees for other permit types; minimum fee $50.00 · administered by: authority having jurisdiction | 2026-10-18 |
| Victoria County municipality |
Building By-law with Amendments (Municipality of the County of Victoria)
+1 more |
permit required for: Accessory buildings greater than 10 sq. meters (114 sq. ft.) in building area. · permit fees: Minimum non-refundable fee $10.00 plus $1.50 per thousand valuation; demolition $10.00; occupancy $20.00; renewal $10.00 · administered by: authority having jurisdiction | 2026-10-18 |
| West Hants Regional municipality |
Building Code Act By-Law RB-001.01 (West Hants Regional Municipality)
adopted 2020-09-22 |
permit required for: Accessory buildings >9.29 m²; non-structural alterations/repairs >$1,000; swimming pools >610 mm deep. · exemptions: No building permit required to resurface a roof with the same material. · permit fees: Fees prescribed by Council by policy; square footage based on gross floor area (including basement for human occupancy; main floor otherwise). | 2026-10-18 |
| Yarmouth District municipality |
Building By-Law B-028-26
adopted 2026-04-22 |
permit required for: Work regulated by Building Code: design, construction, erection, placement, occupancy of new buildings; alteration, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation, occupancy, change of occupancy of existing buildings; material alterations. · exemptions: Accessory buildings not greater than 20 square metres (215.2 square feet); interior and exterior non-structural material alterations and material repairs with monetary value of $5,000 or less. · fees set in: Municipal Fees Policy | 2026-10-18 |
| Yarmouth Town |
TOY 13 - Building Code Bylaw
adopted 2005-12-20 |
permit required for: renovations to residential properties with total cost construction value greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000) · fees set in: Planning Department Schedule of Fees Policy · administered by: Building Official | 2026-10-18 |
Nothing on file for building permits
Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.
Checked, nothing adopted (12) — Antigonish (2026-10-18), Antigonish (2026-10-18), Berwick (2026-10-18), Chester (2026-10-18), Clare (2026-10-18), Inverness (2026-10-18), Pictou (2026-10-18), St. Mary's (2026-10-18), Stellarton (2026-10-18), Stewiacke (2026-10-18), Westville (2026-10-18), Wolfville (2026-10-18).
Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (2) — Clark's Harbour, Oxford.