Home permit guide
Interior renovation permits
Cosmetic work is often treated differently from moving walls, changing plumbing, altering exits or changing how a room is used.
Updated September 24, 2026
The short answer
Paint, cabinets and finish replacement may be exempt, but moving walls, changing room layouts/uses, altering exits, adding fixtures or touching fire separations can trigger permits.
The permit question depends on what is actually changing, not whether the project is described as a renovation.
What to check first
- Walls and structural openings
- Room-use changes
- Plumbing or HVAC changes
- Exits and fire separations
Check the rule in your city
Choose your municipality for the local permit rule, thresholds and official source.
How the rule changes by city
- North Vancouver District, BC: District guidance and the interior building-permit checklist route regulated interior construction through a building permit. Official source ↗
- Richmond Hill, ON: Richmond Hill lists interior alterations, including finishing a basement, among projects requiring a building permit. Official source ↗
If a permit is required
What you may need to submit
Existing/proposed plans; structural detail for changed openings/walls; plumbing/mechanical layout where affected.
Inspections
Rough framing/trade inspections and final inspection depend on scope.
Use the local guide before you start
Permit rules, exemptions and application routes are set locally. Open your municipality guide before relying on a threshold or starting work.
Find your municipality →