Permit or No Permit? The Rules Homeowners Always Get Wrong
N
NeedReno Staff
June 4, 2026
5 min read
51 views
Skipping permits is tempting — it feels like saving time and money. But the consequences when you sell, or when something goes wrong, can be severe.
The permit conversation is one every contractor has. And there is genuinely a lot of confusion among homeowners about what actually requires a permit. Here is a plain-English breakdown.
**Why permits exist**
Permits aren't red tape for the sake of it. They trigger an inspection by a licensed building official who checks that the work meets current building code — protecting future occupants, your insurance, and resale value.
**What almost always requires a permit:**
- Structural work (removing load-bearing walls, additions, new foundations)
- Electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps
- Any new or relocated plumbing
- HVAC changes or additions
- New windows or doors that change rough opening size
- Basement finishing (in most municipalities)
- Any deck over 24 inches off the ground (in most provinces)
**What usually does NOT require a permit:**
- Painting, flooring, tiling (as a replacement)
- Cabinet replacement (if not moving plumbing)
- Non-structural cosmetic work
- Replacing fixtures like toilets, sinks, or light switches (like for like)
**The real cost of skipping permits**
Here's what homeowners don't think about: when you sell, a real estate lawyer or buyer's agent may ask for a list of permits pulled since the home was built. Unpermitted work can:
- Void your home insurance for claims related to that work
- Force you to open walls and have the work re-inspected before closing
- Result in stop-work orders if discovered during the project
- Create liability if something fails later
**One more thing: it's the contractor's job**
If a contractor suggests you pull permits yourself "to save them the hassle," that's actually a red flag. Licensed contractors pull permits in their name because they're responsible for the work meeting code. Passing that to you shifts the liability. Don't accept it.
**Why permits exist**
Permits aren't red tape for the sake of it. They trigger an inspection by a licensed building official who checks that the work meets current building code — protecting future occupants, your insurance, and resale value.
**What almost always requires a permit:**
- Structural work (removing load-bearing walls, additions, new foundations)
- Electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps
- Any new or relocated plumbing
- HVAC changes or additions
- New windows or doors that change rough opening size
- Basement finishing (in most municipalities)
- Any deck over 24 inches off the ground (in most provinces)
**What usually does NOT require a permit:**
- Painting, flooring, tiling (as a replacement)
- Cabinet replacement (if not moving plumbing)
- Non-structural cosmetic work
- Replacing fixtures like toilets, sinks, or light switches (like for like)
**The real cost of skipping permits**
Here's what homeowners don't think about: when you sell, a real estate lawyer or buyer's agent may ask for a list of permits pulled since the home was built. Unpermitted work can:
- Void your home insurance for claims related to that work
- Force you to open walls and have the work re-inspected before closing
- Result in stop-work orders if discovered during the project
- Create liability if something fails later
**One more thing: it's the contractor's job**
If a contractor suggests you pull permits yourself "to save them the hassle," that's actually a red flag. Licensed contractors pull permits in their name because they're responsible for the work meeting code. Passing that to you shifts the liability. Don't accept it.