CMHC Design Catalogue
About the CMHC Housing Design Catalogue
The CMHC Housing Design Catalogue drawings are provided as a resource to assist applicants with potential housing designs. The catalogue features more than 50 home designs for all regions across the country. Designs include rowhouses, townhouses, fourplexes, sixplexes and detached accessory dwelling units. Each design is tailored to regional climate, regulations, construction methods and materials.
Use of Drawings
Use of these drawings does not guarantee approval of a development or building permit. All proposed developments must be submitted through the normal review process, and comply with the City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw, Building Bylaw, the National Building Code, as well as all other applicable regulations and bylaws. Modifications to the catalogue drawings may be necessary to address site conditions, zoning regulations, and building code requirements.
Preliminary Review Update
The City has completed a preliminary review of the Accessory Dwelling Unit 01 (SK & MB) Design and can confirm that there are no outstanding concerns related to the National Building Code at this stage.
Please note that a formal review is still required for drawings that have had a preliminary review, and all additional City requirements, including compliance with the Zoning Bylaw, must be satisfied before this set of drawings can proceed as part of an official application.
This website will be updated as additional preliminary reviews are completed.
Steps for Applying for a Building and Development Permit
This checklist outlines the steps to plan and apply for a Building and Development Permit.
1. Confirm Zoning
- Look up the address in the Development Portal and note your zoning district.
- Review permitted uses, setbacks, height and development standards in the Digital Zoning Bylaw.
2. Check Site Conditions
- Confirm the site is in an established neighbourhood (Category 1 or 2).
- Identify access (e.g., driveway), easements, shallow and deep utilities, and City trees.
3. Prepare Building Plans
- 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.
- Prepare scaled building design and site plan drawings that meet City of Saskatoon drawing requirements. Plans from the CMHC Design Catalogue can be used as part of the drawing package submission.
- All new residential buildings and additions must demonstrate compliance with Section 9.36 of the National Building Code of Canada. Select one compliance path and submit the corresponding City of Saskatoon energy compliance form:
- Performance Path - Complete and submit the City of Saskatoon - 9.36 Performance Form. This option requires energy modeling prepared by a qualified energy advisor using approved software.
- Prescriptive Path - Complete and submit the City of Saskatoon - 9.36 Prescriptive Form. This option demonstrates compliance by meeting prescribed building envelope and mechanical system requirements.
4. Prepare Infill Site Grading Plan (for Infill sites)
- Infill site grading throughout the City of Saskatoon is regulated as per Bylaw No. 9772 - The Drainage Bylaw, 2021.
- An infill site grading plan is required if no grading plan exists for the property.
- A qualified surveyor or engineer must prepare the plan, showing proposed grades, drainage patterns, swales, downspouts and window wells.
- Final site grading inspection is required before closing the permit.
- Utility Plan as detailed on page 11 of the Garden and Garage Suite Brochure.
5. Confirm Servicing Requirements (Saskatoon Water Pre-Review)
- Complete the Saskatoon Water Pre-review Application Form to ensure your water and sewer servicing needs are met without surprises or delays.
- Saskatoon Water Pre-Review Approval is required for all building permit applications involving three or more dwelling units in established neighbourhoods and must be submitted with the permit application.
6. Apply for Permit Online Through ePermitting
- Getting Started: Create or log in to your account.
- Upload drawings, select the correct work scope and pay fees.
7. Monitor Review & Begin Construction
- After the permit submission, the City completes a completeness check.
- Respond to any hold comments.
- Track status updates in ePermitting.
- Construction cannot begin until the permit is issued.
- Book required inspections through ePermitting.