Building & Development Permits in Nova Scotia

Antigonish Housing Accelerator Fund

Building & Development Permits •  Zone Maps

Building and Development Permits

Start Your Project!

Apply Here!

Eastern District Planning Commission

The Eastern District Planning Commission provides planning, subdivision, and building inspection services in eastern Nova Scotia for the Counties of Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond, Victoria, and the Towns of Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish. The planners, development officers, building inspectors, and support staff work toward developing a safe and healthy community for you and your family. For more information on the application and permitting processes see below.

In Nova Scotia, you must get a Building Permit before starting any construction project. All areas of the Town of Antigonish and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish are covered by a Land Use By-Law. This means you also need a Development Permit.

Building Permits apply to all types of construction – from building a new house to renovating a shopping mall. Development Permits apply to both new construction and any change in use of an existing building.

Before issuing permits, a Building Officer and a Development Officer will review:

  • submitted plans to make sure they meet the National Building Code
  • approvals from the municipality for connection services, when needed
  • approvals from the Nova Scotia Departments of Public Works, Environment & Climate Change, & the Fire Marshal, when needed
  • building use with zoing in the Land Use By-law
  • lot size requirements
  • other development standards, when needed

The Building Officer will also conduct on-site inspections during different stages of your project to ensure all building standards are met.

1. Footing inspection

2. Foundation; including:
  • drain tile
  • damp-proofing
3. Underground plumbing
4. Underground slab insulation
5. Framing inspection; including:
  • Plumbing waste / vent inspection
6. Pre-drywall insulation; including:
  • vapour barrier
  • insulation
7. Final occupancy inspection

A Building & Development Permit checklist is availble for guidance.