The Building Department Operates within the Municipality of the District of Digby. The Municipality has in place a building by-law that supplements the Provincial Code National Building Code.
Other duties include issuing civic numbers, maintaining records, addressing complaints made under the noise by-law, and handling complaints received under dangerous or unsightly properties.
Department Contact Information:
Phone: 902-245-6776
Fax: 902-245-5748
Email:
- Cathy Barr: Building Inspector/Supervisor
- Chris Thibodeau: Fire Inspector, Building Inspector, & Alternate Development Officer
- Cory Rice: Building Inspector & Fire Inspector
- Tammy Smith: Administrative Assistant
- Christopher Kingston: Development Officer
- pdf Building Permit Online Application(194 KB)
- pdf Development Permit(353 KB)
- pdf Zoning Confirmation Certificate Online Application(136 KB)
- pdf Building By-law(1.80 MB)
Municipality of Digby Building Permit Application Process
Building permits are required by the owner for all new construction, as well as when existing buildings are altered or renovated or if a building is relocated.
The local building by-law exempts non-structural work with a value of $5000.00 or less.
Accessory Buildings 1 storey & 144 sq. feet or less that serves a main building on the same lot are also exempt so long as it will not be wired for electricity, no one is sleeping in it and there is no running water.
Decks that are 2’ high or less and 288 sq. feet or less do not require a permit (so long as they aren’t attached to the house, or have a roof over them). Please contact the building department if you are not sure if you need a permit. Please note: Shipping containers are considered an accessory building and therefore require a Development Permit and Building relocation Permit.
In the Municipality, a Development Permit is required (as per the Land Use By Laws) prior to the issuing of a building permit.Some other permits may be required prior to the issuing of the building permit such as:
- Dept of Infrastructure & Renewal’s Drive-Way approval.
- Department of the Environment's (DOE) approval for an onsite sewer system may be required.
- In areas serviced with a sewage collection system, one must apply to be connected. Applications are available on our website or at the Municipal office.
Once the applicant has both the DOE and the Dept. of Infrastructure & Renewal approvals we can now look at the building permit application completed application. It must contain enough information so that compliance with the National Building Code (NBC) can be determined. A complete set of drawings is required.
We are required to carry out the following inspections, and it is the owner’s obligation to notify the department when they are ready for the inspections at least 2 days in advance if possible.
Stage 1: Footings - once the footings are formed up and before the concrete is poured.
Stage 2: Subfloor plumbing
Stage 3: Subfloor & Foundation Insulation- after the foundation forms are in place but before the concrete is poured.
Stage 4: Pre-backfill / drain tile
Stage 5: Framing- after the framing is complete inside and out.
Stage 6: Rough-in Plumbing & Mechanical systems
Stage 7: Insulation & Vapour barrier- After the insulation is complete and the vapour barrier is in place.
Stage 8: Occupancy prior to use of building- once the building is complete but before occupancy.
**Please note: multiple inspections maybe be required depending on the complexity of the build.
Please contact the Municipal office for a complete list of fees by phone: (902) 245-6776 or email:
