Building Guides and Checklists

To help you with your project, our team has created building guides and checklists for some of the common building permits. Read these guidelines to make sure your project meets all the codes and that your work passes City inspection.

• adding an accessory building (like a shed)
• adding an apartment
• building a house
• decks, fences and pools
• demolitions
• driveways and property enhancements
• renovating or extending a house

Find out more about building, renovation and repair and look up permit fees and rates.

Universal Design Guidelines 

Building or renovating a home? Our Universal Design resources, created with the Universal Design Network of Newfoundland and Labrador provides planners, builders and homeowners with easy to implement design features that help make residential spaces more usable, accessible and future ready.

• Universal Design Guide for Accessible and Inclusive Homes (PDF)
• Universal Design Network of Newfoundland and Labrador Home Building Checklist^© (PDF)

These standards are not required but are encouraged to be explored to create more homes that work for everyone regardless of age, ability, or life stage. 

Housing Design Catalogue

The City of St. John’s is offering a new Housing Design Catalogue from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to help make building homes faster and more affordable.

Identified as an action in the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund Plan, the catalogue includes seven pre-designed housing options for Newfoundland and Labrador—ranging from backyard suites to fourplexes, stacked townhouses and a six-plex.

Developed by architecture and engineering professionals, the designs align with local building codes, development regulations, construction methods and architectural styles.

The free, pre-approved plans can help save time and reduce costs. They are designed to be accessible, energy efficient, climate resilient and code-compliant. While generally aligned with local requirements, site-specific reviews will still be needed during the application process.

The plans are available to property owners at no cost, although more complex modifications may require review by a qualified professional.

Residents can explore the designs on the CMHC website. This initiative is one of several actions underway to support housing development and increase options in St. John’s.

Housing Design Catalogue

Questions or concerns?

Our staff are here to help. Contact the Permit Counter.