Building permits in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay requires a building permit for a deck more than 0.6 m above ground or for a deck attached to a building with a basement; a detached deck under 0.6 m does not require a building permit.

Thunder Bay requires a building permit for a shed over 15 m². A shed up to 15 m² is exempt only when it is one storey, detached, storage-only and has no plumbing.

Thunder Bay states that a building permit is required to renovate a basement, even when the project is only adding a bedroom.

Thunder Bay states that increasing the number of residential units, including converting one suite to more than one suite, requires a building permit; the City routes change-of-use applications through its commercial permit process.

Thunder Bay lists new houses and additions among residential projects handled through the building-permit portal.

Thunder Bay routes basement finishing, minor alterations and interior demolition through residential building permits; whether a particular interior project needs a permit depends on its scope.

Thunder Bay routes regulated residential alterations through the building-permit process; structural scope must be confirmed for the specific project.

Thunder Bay requires a pool-fence permit when a swimming pool is more than 24 inches deep. The current page does not support one hot-tub rule for every installation for this combined category.

Thunder Bay requires a building permit for a new garage over 10 m²; other garage/carport configurations should be confirmed with Building Services.

Thunder Bay requires permits for new plumbing pipes and relocating fixtures or hot-water tanks, while same-location fixture replacement is exempt; HVAC and other building systems are also routed through the permit portal.

Thunder Bay publishes a pool-fence permit route, but the City does not publish one clear building-permit answer for every ordinary residential fence.

Thunder Bay’s current permit information does not give one residential retaining-wall permit rule that applies to every property. Confirm wall height, location and structural conditions with the City.

Thunder Bay requires a demolition permit for a garage over 10 m² or a shed over 15 m²; partial or interior demolition is routed through an alteration permit.