Building & Development

If you are putting it up, tearing it down, repairing or altering a building or structure, you will need a building and/or a development permit.

Building Permits

A Building Permit/Development Application must be completed and submitted to the Development Office.  The Development Inspectors will review the application and any related information in conjunction with national codes; such as life, safety, and building.

Once approved, the building permits are issued under the City of Corner Brook Building By-law.  The permit will indicate a number of inspections that will occur during the building process.  To request an inspection, please contact a Development Inspector.  Once the building is completed, an Occupancy Permit is granted after the last inspection. 

The costs of these permits are updated with each year’s budget.

Residential Building Permits

Permits are required for, but not limited to:

• new homes  
• additions and renovations to existing home  
• accessory buildings like garages, shed, and pools
• decks

For additions and renovations, any change to the structural layout of a building, a change to the plumbing pipe system, and replacing doors and windows will require a permit.  A permit is not required for interior painting, finished flooring or replacement of common plumbing fixtures such as a faucet or toilet. 

NOTE: Please check with the Development Office if planning any additions and renovations to determine when a building permit is required.

Commercial Vehicle Permit

If a residential property owner would like park a commercial vehicle in a residential area, the property owner is required to apply for a Commercial Vehicle Permit.  A Commercial Vehicle Permit Application must be completed and submitted to the City of Corner Brook, this type of application requires council approval.

Swimming Pool

Please refer to the Swimming Pool Regulations when applying for a building permit for a pool.

Fence

A permit is not required from the City of Corner Brook.  However the provincial Occupancy and Maintenance Regulation states that you must:

• Not extend the fence in front of the building line where it would reduce visibility of vehicles entering and exiting a street or intersection
• Keep the fence in good repair and free from accident hazards.

Commercial Building Permits

Permits are required for, but not limited to:

• new commercial building
• additions and renovations to existing commercial buildings
• accessory buildings like garages, sheds, etc.
• decks
• signage

Most commercial permits will require a set of drawings stamped by an Engineer licensed to practice in the province of Newfoundland.  These drawings will need to be reviewed and approved by Development Inspectors with the building permit.

Development Permits

Common types of development that require a development permit are as follows;

• building demolition
• subdivision of land
• site development,
• excavation
• home-based business
• change of use
• etc. 

For all major subdivisions, the developer must follow the Subdivision Design/Procedures Guidelines.

A Building Permit/Development Application  must be completed and submitted to the Development Office.  The Development Inspectors will review and approve the application under the City of Corner Brook Development Regulations. 

Contacts & Location

Development Inspection officers are available Monday to Friday 9:00am-4:30pm, located on the second floor of city hall.

Deon Rumbolt-Supervisor of Development and Inspection: 709-637-1552

Charlotte Sparkes-Development Inspector III: 709-637-1525

Darryl Skinner-Development Inspector III: 709-637-1549

James King-Development Inspector II: 709-637-1556

Cindy Hulan-Development Inspector I: 709-637-1510