Residential buildings are defined as including one and two unit dwellings, as well as garages and accessory buildings serving these types of dwellings. Buildings with more than two dwelling units are considered commercial properties and require a Commercial Building Permit.
Residential building permits are required for the construction, renovation, alteration, relocation, demolition and repair of all one and two unit dwellings, as well as decks, garages, car ports and accessory buildings. This includes new construction as well as work done to existing buildings in Saskatoon.
The City of Saskatoon has a Council Policy for the review and inspection of residential building permits. Council Policy # C09-029 The Plan Review and Building Inspection Program outlines the code items that will be reviewed and inspected for each building type, and outlines mandatory inspections.
NOTE: Effective October 2009, the 2005 National Building Code of Canada was adopted for use in Saskatchewan.
Requesting a Residential Building Permit
In order to request a residential building permit, an applicant may:
- Complete the Residential Permit Application (PDF).
- Include one COMPLETE set of plans.
- Include Ventilation Design Sheets, as required for new homes and substantial renovations.
- Include Pre-Engineered Shop Drawings for all components in the project which are pre-engineered systems, when available (these may be submitted after the building permit has been obtained for the project).
- Submit application and any appropriate supporting materials to the Building Standards Branch, 222-3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5.
Residential Building Permit Process
Obtain a Designer
Due to the wide ranges and scale of residential projects that can be proposed, it is sometimes helpful to have a designer involved. In the case of one and two unit dwellings, this designer doesn't always have to be a professional engineer or architect, but they must be deemed acceptable to the City of of Saskatoon as a designer capable of the proposed project. With more complex projects, such as projects outside the scope of Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada, it is required that a professional designer be involved.
Professional Designer Requirements (PDF)
It should also be noted that all systems and components that fall outside of the scope of Part 9 of the National Building Code 2005 will require drawings signed and sealed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in Saskatchewan.
Drawings One complete set of construction drawings are required, which will be returned when the permit is issued. All drawings must be drawn to scale with dimensions (preferably in metric) and must include the following:
Residential Drawing Requirements
- Site Plans
- Floor Plans
- Structural Drawings
- Building Elevations and Building Cross Sections
Decision Regarding a Residential Building Permit
Residential building permits are typically processed within one week of the date of application, assuming all information has been provided and plans are complete. Projects that have incomplete plans, as well as complex or large developments, may require additional time to process. As well, during peak season (May-July) please allow additional time as a large number of applications are received and processed during these months. The Building Standards Branch will contact the applicant once the Building Permit is ready to be issued. Payment of building permit fees can be made when the permit is approved, and may be made by cash, cheque or interac.