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What You Need to Know

Expanding your living space is a significant investment. In the RM of Reynolds, an addition to your house is legally classified as an alteration that increases the exterior dimensions of a building, and it is governed by Zoning By-law No. 7/13 and the Manitoba Building Code.

Whether you are adding a new bedroom, enlarging your kitchen, or building an attached garage, any project that increases the footprint or height of your principal dwelling is considered an “addition”. These projects must be reviewed to ensure they meet safety standards and do not encroach on required property boundaries.

Do I need a Permit?

Yes. A Building/Development Permit is mandatory for all structural expansions.

  • Exterior Changes: Any project that increases the height or the floor area of the home requires a permit.
  • Interior Structural Work: Even if you aren’t changing the footprint, a permit is required if you are removing load-bearing walls, enlarging exterior window/door openings, or developing a basement into a living space.
  • Secondary Suites: If your expansion is intended to create a self-contained “Secondary Suite” (a separate living area with its own kitchen), this may require a Conditional Use Order and approval from Council before a building permit can be issued.

Who Issues it? The permit is issued by the Municipality. Please note that Manitoba Hydro issues any required electrical permits.

Enforcement: The Building Inspector is the official responsible for ensuring your project follows municipal by-laws and provincial building codes.

Info graphic showing when a permit is and is not required in the Rural Municipality of Reynolds.

Verify “Bulk” Requirements (Setbacks)

Your addition must fit within the “buildable area” of your lot.

  • Yard Setbacks: The expansion must maintain the minimum required distances from the front, side, and rear property lines. These distances vary depending on your specific zone (e.g., Seasonal Recreation vs. Agricultural Restricted).
  • Maximum Coverage: Some zones limit the total percentage of a lot that can be covered by buildings. Your expansion cannot push the total building area over this limit.

Construction & Engineering Standards

All additions must comply with the Manitoba Building Code.

Gather Required Documentation

To apply for an expansion permit, you generally need to provide the following:

  • Status of Title: A copy issued within the last 30 days of your application.
  • Site Plan: A scaled drawing showing the existing house, the proposed addition, and exact distances to all property lines (setbacks).
  • Detailed Construction Plans: Blueprints or drawings showing the foundation design, floor layout, wall sections, and roof framing to ensure compliance with the Manitoba Building Code.

Important Considerations

Septic System Capacity: If your expansion adds bedrooms, your existing onsite wastewater management system (septic) may need to be inspected or upgraded to handle the increased load. This is governed by Manitoba Environment and Climate.

Electrical & Plumbing: New wiring or plumbing within the addition requires separate permits through Manitoba Hydro and potentially a provincial plumbing inspector.

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