Building Permits: What Every Group Home Operator Needs to Know!
By Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner, April 13, 2026
Building permits are important! Building permits are legal documents and are needed to comply with the Construction Codes Act (CC Act). A building permit ensures that construction is completed to the minimum building and accessibility standards as per the National Building Code (NBC). Building permits are also included in the CLSD Licensing process. Three of the eight inspection forms in the Alternate Family Care Homes (AFCH) Building and Fire Safety Guide require information from building permits. The new licensing format with these forms was implemented April 1, 2026. This article will discuss what a building permit is and how you can obtain one for your next building project. The focus of this article will be on building permits for existing group homes.
There are 5 principles of applying the National Building Code which determine the building permit process, as detailed by the CC Act and Building Code Regulations.
- The Government of Saskatchewan – Through legislation, the government establishes the regulatory framework for adopting the NBC, with Saskatchewan only amendments. NBC 2025 is anticipated to come into effect on January 1, 2027. It is also anticipated that the AFCH classification for group homes will change to B3 and B4 occupancy as detailed in NBC 2020. The B4 designation is for “Home-type Care Occupancy” which would be like the current AFCH with 1-5 occupants in care (AFCH 1-5 OIC) classification. Group homes are inspected and licensed under the requirements of the Residential Services Act.
- Local Authorities – There are over 700 local authorities in Saskatchewan, ranging from cities, towns, and villages to rural municipalities and regional and provincial parks. Every local authority is required by the CC Act to administer and enforce the CC Act through their Building Bylaws. A model Building Bylaw is provided to every local authority, which can be adapted to include some local modifications. The process of obtaining a building permit is the same across the province. Local authorities issue building permits and provide final approval on all building projects in their area.
- Building Officials – Building Officials are licensed by the government and work for the local authorities. Building Officials review plans and inspect work to ensure the building is constructed or renovated to the intention of the NBC and local building bylaws. Building permit applications are approved by the Building Officials and inspected at various stages of construction until the project is completed.
- Building Owners – Every building owner (including group home operators) is required to comply with the CC Act. Any changes to an existing group home building may require a building permit. The owner is responsible for applying for and obtaining a building permit. The contractor or design professional can be delegated to apply for the building permit. The owner must ensure a building permit is issued before work begins.
- Architects, Engineers and Contractors – Professional designers and builders work for the owner. Their role is to meet the building needs of the owner at the same time following the codes and standards of the CC Act and NBC. For group homes with 6-10 occupants in care (AFCH 6-10 OIC), a professional designer is required to provide drawings for the building permit application.
The Building Permit Process
There are many steps in the process of obtaining a building permit, and each step depends on the type of project undertaken. There are more building codes that pertain to group homes compared to typical residential homes, so the process may take longer for a group home building permit.
- Confirm with Local Authority if a Building Permit is Required – Not all building projects in an existing home need a building permit. Check with the Local Authority if the project does or does not need a building permit, in writing. Examples of projects that typically need a building permit could involve removing or adding a wall, repairing a foundation, adding fire sprinklers, replacing a deck or wheelchair ramp, or developing a basement. The Local Authority, or their Building Official, will let you know if your specific project requires a permit.
- Confirm with CLSD Manager – Every group home must provide a certain amount of space per resident in designated areas. If the change to the house affects the designated areas, then permission is needed from CLSD before changes can be considered. (RSA Policy Manual 6.3, page 21).
- Prepare Permit Application – The model Building Bylaw lists the requirements for a building permit application for all local authorities. One of the main requirements of a building permit are the drawings. Drawings document the changes being made to the building. Good drawings are also useful for obtaining accurate bids from different contractors.
- Plan Review and Approval – Once the application and supporting documentation (drawings) are submitted to the Local Authority, the Building Official will review the construction or renovation plan. The plan will be evaluated for compliance with construction standards and local building bylaws. Once approved, a building permit will be issued, informing the owner of when inspections are required and any other instructions. After paying the building permit fee, construction can begin. The Local Authority is required to retain copies of the drawings for their records. All building permits, since the building was first constructed, are to be kept in the Local Authority’s records.
- Construction – Only work identified on the permit can be completed. Any changes to the scope of work must be approved by the Building Official.
- Inspections – The building permit requires inspections at various stages of construction or renovation. The Building Official will inspect the work to ensure it meets the standards set out in the NBC. The contractor usually invites the Building Official to inspect the work at each stage. After the final inspection and approval by the Building Official the permit is closed and, depending on the project, a certificate of occupancy will be issued by the Building Official.
CLSD Licensing, as detailed in the “Forms” section of the AFCH Building and Fire Safety Guide, requires group home operators to provide records of building permits. The “AFCH Annual Compliance Assessment Form” (the first form) asks for building permit dates for the group home and the NBC classification article. The NBC classification is not required on a building permit and can be found in the code review section on the original drawings when the home was first constructed. The Local Authority would have that information in their records.
The fourth form, “Building Bylaw and Fire Bylaw Compliance Form”, asks if the AFCH complies with the Local Authority’s Building Bylaw. In other words, does the existing group home have building permits for changes to their buildings, as per the CC Act? The Fire Inspector would assess if the bylaws have been followed by contacting the Local Authority. The next form lists the deficiencies, if any, that are not compliant with the local Building Bylaws.
Building permits are important! It is recommended that copies of all drawings and building permits be stored by the CBO for the life of the building. Building permits contain important information, and it is costly to replace that information.
Please contact SARC’s Facility Planner via email at depp@sarcan.sk.ca for more information on the building permit process for group homes or for support with pre-planning a change to an existing group home.
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