Permit fees

Fees are effective April 1st, 2024.

Permit fees must be paid when you submit your Building Permit application. Building Permit fees are determined by the License, Permit and Processing Fees Administrative Order #15. Permit fees shall be calculated using the following table:

Fees table of contents:

Building Fees

Building Fees Minimum Fee $31.25 For new construction or addition to existing buildings; fees are based on the floor area.
Description Fee
Description Fee

All floors at or above the average finished grade surrounding the building

(Residential, 4 units or less)		 $4.04 per square metre
All floors below the average finished grade, not more than 1.67 meters (5.5 ft) (Residential, 4 units or less) $3.36 per square metre
Basements - finished/unfinished at greater than 1.67 meters (5.5 ft) (Residential, 4 units or less) $1.35 per square metre
Attached and detached garages (Residential, 4 units or less) $1.35 per square metre
All Renovations and Repairs $6.88 per $1000 of the estimated value of construction with a minimum fee of $31.25.
Mobile Home Application Fee (Private or Park Lots) Mobile Home Application Fee $31.25, Residential Development Permit Fee $200
Sheds & Accessory Buildings $1.35 per square metre - $60 Development Permit fee Depending on the complexity of your project, additional fees may be required. If the property is located in Bedford, a Grade Alteration Permit is required. A $200 Engineering Review fee may also apply. A $25 residential plumbing fee may also apply if plumbing is installed.
Demolition Permit $62.50 (engineering related fees may apply)
Swimming Pools $6.88 per $1000 of the estimated value of the project with a minimum $31.25 fee and a Development Permit fee of $60. Depending on the complexity of your project, additional fees, including engineering related fees, may be required.
Decks $6.88 per $1000 of the estimated value of the project with a minimum $31.25 fee and a Development Permit fee of $60. Depending on the complexity of your project, additional fees, including engineering related fees, may be required. If the property is located in Bedford a lot grading permit is required.
Solar (Roof & Ground Mounted Collectors) $150 (engineering related fees may apply)
Other Residential and All Commercial Construction $6.88 per $1000 of the estimated value of construction (engineering related fees may apply)
Renew, or reissue a building or construction permit in the name of another individual, or company. $31.25

Plumbing Fees
Description Fee
Description Fee
New residential construction to contain four units or less $50 per unit
Other multiple unit residential buildings $25 per unit
Additions or renovations to residential buildings (no new units) $25
Non-residential buildings - 5 or less fixtures $25
Non-residential buildings (includes accessory structures) - 6 or more fixtures $50
New residential accessory building construction $25

Development fees
Description Fee
Description Fee
Residential: New Res-up to 2 units, enclosed adds, Res or Multi-use, Ind, Comm or Institutional (MICI) renovations, and leasehold improvements) $250
Commercial Development Permit Fee (includes: Multi-use, Industrial, Commercial or Institutional (MICI)) $600
Basic Development Permit Fee (includes: Home Occupation, Occupancy Only and Accessory Structures such as Decks, Pools, Sheds, and Fence) $60
Operating License of Land-lease Communities $260
Zoning Confirmation Letters $200
Non-Substantive Site Plan Approval OR Level 1 (I) Site Plan Approval $600
Downtown Substantive Site Plan Approval OR Level 3 (III) Site Plan Approval $2,310
Variance $1,170
Appeal of Variance $1,170

Solid Waste Charge

(New Additions/ICI) fees adjusted annually
Description Fee
Description Fee
Residential units (new) $248.29 per unit
ICI (institutional, commercial, industrial) (all) $1.94 per square metre

Engineering Related Fees

(for non-Engineering specific permits)
Description Fee
Description Fee
Engineering Related Fees (for non-Engineering specific permits, i.e. demolition permit, development permit, etc.) $250
Lot Grading $250
Grade Alteration $250
Top Soil Removal $250
For blasting less than 50 cubic metres of rock $140
All other blasting applications $700

Right of Way Related Fees

Streets and Services Fees and Deposits (Name of valid contractor required at time of application) Encroachment Fees pursuant to By-law S-300. Respecting Encroachments Upon, Under, or Over A Street
Description Fee
Description Fee
Driveway access/culvert $250
Lateral connection to main $250
Sewer cap-off $250
Pavement Impact Charge 5% to 30% of the estimated reinstatement costs of the excavation of pavement areas (percentage varies based the condition of the pavement; higher when cutting pavement in good condition, lower when cutting pavement in bad condition)
Future settlement charge 15% of the estimated reinstatement costs of the excavation other than pavement areas (ex. curbs, sidewalk, sods, etc.)
Deposit $1000 (refundable, upon approved reinstatement)
Encroachment up to 1.5 square metres $60
Encroachment from 1.5 to 2.5 square metres $95
Encroachment over 2.5 square metres $125
Encroachment other than those described in paragraph 4(a)(iv) of Bylaw E-200 shall be subject to an annual rental fee $1.00 per 0.1 square metres of such encroachment, with a minimum fee of $10.
Temporary Encroachments shall be subject to a daily rental fee for the temporary use of the street or a part thereof during construction at the following rate:

(a) $0.30 per square metre for the travelled way;

(b) $0.25 per square metre for the sidewalk between the curb and 2 metres back from the curb face; and

(c) $0.15 per square metre for the balance of the sidewalk and to the street line or property line which shall be payable monthly in advance, with the first month's payment due at the time the license is issued and subsequent payments being due one month from the time of the previous due date.

(d) where the encroachment occupies any part of a metered parking space,it shall be deemed to occupy the total metered parking space and the daily rental fee shall apply to 16.7 square metres of travelled way.

Halifax Water Fees

Regional Development Charges (RDC)* — Wastewater and Water New construction or additions/renovations resulting in new units *RDC fee deferral of up to 25% is available on fees in excess of $100,000
Description Fee
Description Fee
RDC - Wastewater: Single unit dwelling/townhouses $6,126.84 /unit
RDC - Wastewater: Multiple unit dwelling $4,115.04 /unit
RDC - Wastewater: Industrial/Commercial/Institutional Buildings $30.24/m2
RDC - Wastewater: Addition of a single secondary/ backyard suite $2,103.71
RDC - Water: Single unit dwelling/townhouses $1,921.82 /unit
RDC - Water: Multi-unit dwelling $1,290.77/unit
RDC - Water: Industrial/Commercial/Institutional Buildings $9.49/m2
RDC - Water: Addition of a single secondary/ backyard suite $659.86
Halifax Water inspection of water, wastewater and stormwater service connections $150 / site visit
Halifax Water inspection of backflow prevention devices $150 / site visit
Halifax Water inspection of driveway culverts $150 / site visit
Halifax Water tapping for water service connection up to 75mm $375 / connection
Halifax Water tapping for water service connection greater than 75mm $125 / 25mm/ connection

Other Fees
Description Fee
Description Fee
Residential Occupancy $50 Application Fee & $50 Occupancy Fee
Commercial or Mixed Use Occupancy $100 Application Fee & $100 Occupancy Fee
Expired Occupancy Renewal $100
A Permanent Sign includes but is not limited to Projection, Roof, Ground, Billboard, Fascia $250 per sign

Fee waiver for affordable housing developments

On November 10, 2020, Regional Council approved amendments to several By-laws and Administrative Order 15 to waive the majority of municipal fees related to construction for residential developments by registered non-profit or charitable organizations.   

The amendments waive fees related to:

•    Construction permits such as a development permit, plumbing permit and encroachment permits/fees; 
•    Subdivision application such as processing fees for concept or final subdivision plans;
•    Discretionary approvals such as processing fees to amend a land use by-law or to enter into a development agreement; 
•    Variance applications for relaxations to lot area, lot coverage, lot frontage and setback requirements;
•    Site Plan Approval applications where site plan approval is required prior to a construction permit; and
•    Other services such as a zoning confirmation letter.

The amendments do not include:

•    Halifax Water Regional Development Charge (RDC)
•    Security Deposits and Liability Insurance
•    Pavement Impact Charge
•    Parkland Dedication
•    Incentive of Bonus Zoning Public Benefit
•    Local Improvement or Area Rate Charges (not including Capital Cost Charges for Solid Waste and Stormwater Capital Cost Charges)

Eligibility

For the application fees to be waived the applicant must provide proof of the following criteria:

  • upon the date of application, the applicant must be a registered not-for-profit or registered charity for at least 1 year;
  • the provision of affordable housing must be included in the mandate or programs and activities of the registered non-profit or charity (this can be found on the website for the Canadian Revenue Agency or on the provincial application for registering as a non-profit);
  • a minimum of 60% of the development must be for housing*;
  • the property that is the subject of the application is solely owned by one or a combination of the following: the applicant, the Municipality, the Provincial Government, the Federal Government, or an agent of the Provincial or Federal Government; and 
  • upon the date of application, the applicant must have fully paid all taxes owing, or all installments or all interim payments due to the Municipality.

* Note:
•    where the application is for the development of a building(s), a minimum of 60% of the total gross floor area the development must be for a residential use, or
•    where the application is for the subdivision of land a minimum of 60% of 
          (a)    the lots created through the subdivision, or
          (b)    the lands subject to the subdivision, 
          must be in a zone, or subject to a development agreement, that would permit a residential use;

View the Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.

Apply to have your municipal fees waived.