Building Permits: Why Your Bunkie Won’t Need One

Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you live your life, raise your children, snuggle your pets, and just be yourself. For many of us, it’s now also where you work. Maybe you want a separate office space, a studio for your hobbies, or an extra space to relax. Whatever you’re looking for, if you want to expand your space and construct a new hideaway for work or play on your property, then you likely know a building permit is almost always required to do so. 

What is a building permit?

A building permit is a legal document that gives you the go-ahead to build on your property or make changes to an existing building. Whether you want to construct, renovate, switch up the use of a building, or even demolish it, you’re likely going to need a building permit to do so. Building permits are issued by the city in which the construction is to take place and are a way of enforcing local building codes. ​​They also come with the added advantage of inspections which ensure the work has been done correctly. 

Building codes are the “rules” that confirm buildings meet standards tied to health, safety, fire protection, accessibility, and resource conservation. Having a building permit also ensures that you are not violating any local zoning bylaws, which dictates how land can be used for development.

How do I get a building permit?

Securing a building permit requires submitting an application to your local governing body, be it your city or municipality. The application will need to include key documents such as drawings stamped by a professional (architect, HVAC designer and so on). Once approved, you will be required to pay a fee in order to have your project assessed by trades inspectors (drywall, insulation, plumbing and so on).  The review process usually takes two weeks but if your plan is rejected, or changes are required, the process can drag on much longer than that. Also, COVID-19 has negatively impacted turn-around-times in many areas. 

It can be a complicated ordeal with vague rules set by administrators who are not always eager to help. Paying a pro to guide you is usually a safe bet but sometimes even they can be caught off guard by a cagey bureaucrat.  

Does The Bunkie need a building permit?

Nope. Comfortable, stylish and simple to construct, all of our Bunkie models are under the minimum size required for a building permit and can be set up in under a week. For example, in the province of Ontario, anything over 10 square metres in size (or roughly 108 square feet) requires a building permit, but anything below does not. As long as The Bunkie does not contain plumbing, heating, air conditioning or a fireplace, it doesn’t require a building permit to construct.

Indeed, all Bunkie models are between 97 and 106 square feet (and 97 to 200 square feet in certain U.S. areas), which is below the minimum size required for a building permit just about everywhere.[1]

Elegantly designed, well-built, and easily constructed, The Bunkie was truly designed to be your ideal get-away-from-it-all space. Whether it’s your new office, studio, spare bedroom or glamping cabin, we’re sure your Bunkie will become your new favourite space. So let’s get started, your Bunkie is waiting.

[1] It’s important to note that building codes and requirements can vary by region, and local bylaws will always dictate what you can or cannot construct. Always check your local zoning bylaws before beginning any construction project or renovation.