You are ultimately accountable for following the home addition regulations as the building’s owner. Lack of building permits and having additions to the home, disregarding home addition regulations may lead to legal action, the removal of already finished work, and maybe expensive construction delays.

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In the Home Addition Regulations, The Following is a List of Common Projects that Require a Building Permit.

According to home addition regulations, making structural or material alterations, require a permit, such as:
Enclosing an existing deck, porch, or patio of any size
Adding or removing walls
Enlarging or relocating existing windows or doors
New windows or doors where there were none before

According to home addition regulations, constructing an accessory structure larger than 15 square meters in the area will require permits, such as:
Detached Garage
Carport
Workshop
Pool house or cabana
Garden shed

According to home addition regulations, energy and environmental building improvements, also require permits, such as:
- according to home addition regulations, structures used in the support of a wind turbine generator with a rated output of more than 3kW
- rooftop stormwater retention systems
- green roofs as part of home additions
- solar projects such as the installation of solar collector systems and solar hot water systems

Finishing a basement, if the work proposed includes any of the following,
- structural or material alterations
- excavating and/or constructing foundations
- installing or modifying the heating and or plumbing systems
- basement underpinning
- adding a second suite
- constructing a basement entrance

Retaining construction wall more than one meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height provided the retaining wall is on or adjacent to public property (including streets), building entrances, and on private property accessible to the public
Covers more than 60 meters squared (646 square feet); and/or
Is attached to a building; and/or is within 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) from another structure
Install a backflow prevention device
Install a wood-burning stove or fireplace
Install or modify heating and or plumbing systems
Deck construction more than 60 centimeters (24 inches) above ground
Constructing a tent that
Change a building’s use (i.e. from residential to office or single dwelling unit house to multi-dwelling unit house). Even if no construction is proposed if a change of use is proposed a building permit is required.
According to home addition regulations, installing or reconstructing a chimney or fireplace is one of the additions that requires a permit for sure.
a backwater valve Installation

The home addition regulations listed above are not exhaustive. If you have any questions please contact local officials or a house building company regarding the design and building of your home.

When is a Building Permit Not Required According to Home Addition Regulations?

The following projects, in accordance with home addition regulations, don’t need a construction permit: Please keep in mind that this list is not complete and that judgment should be made based on the project’s specific condition and circumstances and according to home addition regulations in the area where the house is located.

Installing a skylight in an existing building provided:
- the building is a house or small building (3 stories or less) and the installation does not require the removal of more than one rafter, joist, or another similar structural member (with the exception of a truss)
An uncovered platform (e.g. deck) provided:
- its finished deck level is not more than 60 cm (24 inches) above the adjacent finished grade; and/or it does not form part of an exit required under the building code
Re-cladding of a house or small building (3 stores or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer
Adding or replacing insulation
The replacement of windows or doors provided does not require a permit according to home addition regulations
There is no change in the location or size of the window and/or door
The structural support for the opening is not affected; and

A new exit is not created

A furnace or boiler replacement in a house
The installation of additional cooling systems, gas fireplaces, air cleaners, in-line humidifiers, or hot water tanks in a house
Replacing existing roofing material provided no structural work is required.
Repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures
Finishing a basement of a house, if:
- the work does not include structural or material alterations;
- no additional dwelling unit(s) is (are) created (i.e. a second unit); and
- the work does not include the installation of new plumbing;
Undertaking waterproofing repairs to a basement
Installation of cabinetry and millwork.
Constructing a retaining wall that is on private property, not accessible to the public, and/or where the height is less than 1 meter in height at any location.
Plastic Sheet Covered Accessory Structures
A building permit is not required to install a sump pump.

According to Home Addition Regulations What Kitchen Remodel Work Typically Requires a Permit

Outlined below are some types of work you might do as part of home addition regulations that typically require a permit.

However, this is only a general guide, as exact requirements can vary depending on the state or city where you live, so checking with local officials or a house building company for home addition regulations is a must.

While doing the design and building, you might remove load-bearing walls or add new ones, adding new exterior doors, windows, or skylights.
Home additions such as new sinks, changing sink location, adaptations to sewer lines, and installing new outdoor faucets.
Installing electrical wiring, making major adaptations to existing wiring, updating outlets
Ductwork changes

Even if you don’t plan to do any of these things, some cities require a permit if the project costs over a certain amount to complete.

According to Home Addition Regulations What Kitchen Remodel Work Typically Doesn’t Require a Permit?

Simple kitchen remodeling projects that you can DIY are usually possible to do without a permit.

Replacing existing windows and doors
Replacing countertops
Painting walls or kitchen cabinets
Replacing a sink
Re-flooring your kitchen
Replacing existing light fittings
Refacing kitchen cabinets
Installation of new appliances (as long as there is no need for extra electrical work)
Replacing an existing faucet.

Bathroom Projects That According to Home Addition Regulations Will Likely Require Permits

As a general rule, you should anticipate applying for permits for any of the following bathroom projects:

Adding a new outlet
Adding a sink, as a new addition to the home or moving an existing one
If you need to add new plumbing lines to your bathroom to accommodate a new sink or move an existing one to another spot in the bathroom, you’ll need a permit.
Structural changes and additions
Plumbing or sewage projects
The rule of thumb for a bathroom remodel when doing home renovation is that if you need to open or penetrate the walls, you will likely need a permit. Any project where plumbing is moved or extended will require a permit.
Any project that drastically changes the footprint of the bathroom will likely require a permit. That could even be a move as small as building a new dividing wall or moving an existing shower wall.
A new window or skylight will change the structure of the bathroom and requires a permit.
In some cities, this electrical work will require a permit.
Replacing a bathtub. Similar to installing tile, the waterproofing and structural needs of a new bathtub means applying for a permit.
Projects that require a dumpster on a public street. If you are undergoing demolition and need a dumpster.
Replacing a water heater
If your remodel comes with a new water heater, you’ll need to apply for a permit.
Adding windows or skylights
Installing tile. Because tiling the bathroom deals with waterproofing and plumbing, you may need a permit to install it.

Bathroom projects that may (or may not) require permits

Some projects require permits virtually without a doubt, but others fall into a murky area. Make sure to get in touch with your regional permission office to check before beginning if you’re thinking about doing any of the following:

Removing a non-load-bearing wall might require a permit.
The cost of the project is above a specific threshold.
Demolishing a (non-load-bearing) wall

Bathroom Projects That Rarely Require a Permit According to Home Addition Regulations

Always double-check with your local regulations and ordinances, but a permit is often not required for these bathroom updates:

Swapping existing fixtures or finishes
If your project is a simple swap, you probably won’t need a permit.
Painting
Countertop projects.
Adding a fresh coat of paint doesn’t deal with electrical, plumbing, or structure.

Finishing a home renovation without obtaining the required permissions might have a number of negative effects. It is usually preferable to obtain the permits for each location while remodeling or adding on to your property since some of them include: being unable to sell the house, tax increases, insurance issues, etc.

What are the Home Addition Regulations in Canada? – Simple and Easy to Understand