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Residential Building Permit

residential buildings

Building Standards Launches Model Plan Review Program Pilot

The Model Plan Review Program pilot introduces a streamlined approach for reviewing residential building plans that are used repeatedly by builders. During the pilot phase, participation will be limited to a selected group of builders. The program allows pre‑approved model home plans to be reused across multiple sites which helps reduce review times, limit duplicate submissions and improve consistency while maintaining safety and code compliance.

Following the pilot, full participation is expected to be available for the 2027 construction season pending program evaluation and refinement.

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Alternative Family Care Homes (AFCH): Plan Review Changes 

  • AFCHs with 6 or more occupants-in-care must be designed under Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and comply with the NECB.
  • AFCHs with 5 or fewer occupants-in-care may continue to be designed under Part 9 of the NBC.
  • Applications for AFCHs with 6 or more occupants-in-care submitted before March 1, 2026 will still be reviewed under Part 9.

Why this change:
To align with existing provincial Building Code Regulations, which classify AFCHs with six or more occupants-in-care under Part 3.

What’s being updated:
AFCH handouts and completeness-check tools will be updated on our website before March 1, 2026.

Questions:
Email building.standards@saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-2645.


Residential Building Permit Application Process

  1. A professional architect or engineer is required for projects outside the scope of Part 9 of the National Building Code. For more information, please refer to Requirement for a Design Professional. 
  2. All drawings are to be prepared to professional drafting standards. Please see Electronic Drawing Requirements for more information. Plans must be to scale and have dimensions. Pencil drawings or drawings on graph paper will not be accepted. Drawings marked “preliminary only” or “not for construction” will not be accepted.
  3. Preparing your submission package:
    1. For projects located on a residential group dwelling site, use the permit application checklist to prepare your submission package. 
    2. For single-lot residential projects, please refer to the project guides for information on application requirements.
    3. For projects related to Alternative Family Care Homes, the permit application checklist will help you prepare your submission package. 
  4. For properties with three or more dwelling units, Saskatoon Water requires a servicing capacity pre-review prior to submitting your Building Permit application. Visit saskatoon.ca/prereview.
  5. Apply Online. ePermitting allows you to track all permit and inspection activity from initial application to completion, renewal or expiration of your permit. Visit saskatoon.ca/epermitting to register your account or to sign-in to the online portal.

Building & Development Permit Fees 

Click the link above to find more information on building and development permit fees. 

Building Permit Timelines 

Learn more about permit times for building projects.