• Building Permit Application CHECK LIST

Apply for your Permit Online!

The Rural Municipality of Macdonald is pleased to offer residents, builders and the business community Cloudpermit - an online system to apply for and track your building permits.

WHAT IS A BUILDING PERMIT?

A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.  By working with the building inspector, you will benefit from their knowledge of the building codes to ensure your construction project is built right, will be safe, and will last.  Safe construction practices help protect you, your family, your friends, and your investment.

WHEN DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the municipal office.  Speaking with a building inspector will provide you with information about safety and understanding your municipal building codes.  Be sure to discuss your plans before you begin construction to determine whether or not you need a permit.  Permits are usually required for the following:

• New buildings
• Agricultural Buildings including Grain Bins
• Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.)
• Residential work (decks, garages, sheds, pools, hot tubs, etc.)
• Renovations (garage conversions, basement furnishings, kitchen expansions, etc.)
• Electrical systems (see MB Hydro to obtain a permit)
• Plumbing systems
• HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems
• Change in use of land, building or structures

WHY SHOULD I OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT?

Increased Value 

- Your home or business is an investment.  If your construction project does not comply with the codes put in place by your municipality, the value of your investment could be reduced.  Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections.  If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied, or do costly repairs.

Protection 

- A property owner who can show that the code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a building inspector’s carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

Ensures Safety 

- Your permit also allows the building inspector to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety, and welfare.  By following code guidelines, our completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT?

1) Talk to your local municipal office

The municipality wants your project to be a success and will help you avoid potential problems that could be costly to you in both time and money.  You will be asked some basic questions such as what you are planning to do and where, advised of any requirements, and if necessary, referred to other departments for their approval.  The building inspector will provide you with the resources and information needed for compliance with the applicable building codes.  You will then receive an application for a building permit.

2) Submit Application

At this stage you will document the "Who, What, When, Where and How” of the job, along with any sketches or plans of the proposed work.  The building inspector will review your plans and determine if your project is following municipal requirements.  If your plans meet these requirements, a permit is issued.  If not, the building inspector may suggest solutions to help correct the problem.

3) Receive Permit

Now that you have been approved for a permit, you have legal permission to start construction.  A fee, based on the size of the job, is collected to cover the cost of the application, the review and inspection process.  An experienced building inspector is available to you should you have any questions concerning your project.  You should consider your building inspector as an ally who will help you in making your project a success.

4) Job-site Inspections

On-site inspections will be required to make certain the work conforms to the permit, municipal codes and plans.  Again, you will have access to the expertise of the building inspector to help you with questions or concerns regarding the project, and to ward off potentially costly mistakes.  The building inspector will let you know approximately how many inspections may be needed for your project.  48 hours notice is required when requesting visits.

Municipal Office - 204-736-2255