Getting through the red tape (Canada)

Hi everyone. I'm wondering if there is anyone here from Canada and possibly New Brunswick.
I recently moved to a 1/2 acre rural lot with lots of room and I want to start small with a cob gazebo. I'm currently reading The Hand-Sculpted House: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage and I have a strong desire to build with earthen materials.
I checked with my local municipality and they require plans, etc in order to secure a building permit.
I'm hoping someone else in my area has already gone through this process and can help me out with the red tape before I start planning.


I found some information here saying that a structure in rural NB that is less than 215 sq. feet doesn't have to follow the construction code. But my municipal government still requires drawings (BeauBassin Construction Permits.

So anyone here from NB already got through this stuff and have some tips?

These might be the guys to get in touch with https://eco-sense.ca/

They are on the other coast but they have done a lot of work with cob, red tape, and working with the tape to improve the legislation around cob building.  I think he's an engineer so he can speak the jargon.  

Plans are not hard to create.
Check what they want and look at drawings normally supplied.
You normally dont need the full detail presented by some draughtsmen.
Plan, elevations, dimensions, window sizes, sanitation details, footing details and materials being used.
Sometimes drainage needs to be indicated.
Check if they understand cob, if they dont give them references.
I find if you work with them they will be helpful.

How to create permit drawings
Pretty good, real info starts at about 4.29 mins.

I also bought some acreage in Southwest NB.

There is very little red tape to get around. None as far as I know if. That link you posted seems to conflict with this one:

https://stcroixcourier.ca/building-the-southwest-new-brunswick-service-commission-reminds-residents-you-likely-need-a-permit/

It needs to be in a rural area, and it will be classified as a camp. You just build it to 625 sqft. Camps don't need to meet any building codes. You can build it however you please.

The permit is just to make sure you aren't building it anywhere that would put wetlands in danger or where you aren't running afoul of any provincial regulations when it comes to land use.

This is one of the most relaxed areas in Canada I have heard of when it comes to permitting and codes. They seem to encourage alternative living

Hey, Tim Fox. Welcome aboard!

Tim Fox wrote:I also bought some acreage in Southwest NB.

There is very little red tape to get around. None as far as I know if. That link you posted seems to conflict with this one:

https://stcroixcourier.ca/building-the-southwest-new-brunswick-service-commission-reminds-residents-you-likely-need-a-permit/

It needs to be in a rural area, and it will be classified as a camp. You just build it to 625 sqft. Camps don't need to meet any building codes. You can build it however you please.

The permit is just to make sure you aren't building it anywhere that would put wetlands in danger or where you aren't running afoul of any provincial regulations when it comes to land use.

This is one of the most relaxed areas in Canada I have heard of when it comes to permitting and codes. They seem to encourage alternative living

Thanks for the info Tim, I will check it out and reference this site when I talk to the planning department.