Do I need a building permit? What does it cost?

Building permits — Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia: Building Permit Fees By-Law (Town of Port Hawkesbury)

In the Town of Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, building permit rules are set by Building Permit Fees By-Law (Town of Port Hawkesbury), verified 2026-10-18. Permit required for: Construction, repairs or alterations as required by the Act and the Building Code Regulations. Fees set in: policy adopted pursuant to paragraph 49(1)(c)(iii) of the Municipal Government Act. Administered by: building official.

Building Permit Fees By-Law (Town of Port Hawkesbury) adopted bylaw

permit required for	Construction, repairs or alterations as required by the Act and the Building Code Regulations.	s. 3(2)
fee basis	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.	s. 3(1)(a)-(f)
fees location	policy adopted pursuant to paragraph 49(1)(c)(iii) of the Municipal Government Act	s. 5(1)
authority	building official	"building official" means the authority having jurisdiction

scout note

Town fee by-law under the NS Building Code Act: $20 plus $0.14/sq ft per floor for residential, $75 and $50 flat fees for some classes, $2.50 per $1,000 value for others; $20 for permit renewal, development or demolition permits.