How much does secondary suite permit cost in New Brunswick?

Secondary suite permit costs in New Brunswick vary significantly by municipality — expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $1,500+ depending on where you are and the scope of work.

Unlike some provinces, NB doesn't have a standardized provincial permit fee. Each municipality sets its own fee schedule, and rural areas are handled by Regional Service Commissions (RSCs), which also have their own rates. Here's a realistic breakdown of what you're looking at across the province:

Moncton/Dieppe area: Building permit fees are typically calculated based on construction value — commonly around $10–$15 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum fee in the $150–$200 range. A modest basement suite conversion valued at $30,000–$50,000 in construction could generate a permit fee of $300–$750. Contact the City of Moncton Planning & Development at (506) 856-4375 or the City of Dieppe Urban Planning at (506) 877-7900 for their current fee schedule.

Fredericton: Similar value-based calculation. The City of Fredericton Development Services can be reached at (506) 460-2020 — their fee schedules are posted on fredericton.ca.

Saint John: Fees vary by neighbourhood and zone. Growth & Community Services handles permits at (506) 658-2835. Worth calling early since zoning eligibility varies significantly across the city.

Rural areas: If you're outside an incorporated municipality — places like Shediac, Grand Bay-Westfield, New Maryland, Hanwell, or rural communities throughout the province — your permit comes from the Regional Service Commission for your area, not a municipal office. RSC 11 (Capital Region, covering Fredericton's rural surroundings) is at (506) 453-2956; RSC 7 (Southeast, covering rural Moncton/Shediac) is at (506) 533-3637; RSC 9 (Fundy, covering Saint John rural and Grand Bay-Westfield) is at (506) 738-2014.

Beyond the building permit itself, a secondary suite triggers several other costs worth budgeting for. Trade permits are separate — your licensed electrical contractor must obtain a wiring permit through NB Power (1-800-615-0522), and any plumbing work requires a permit through NB's Technical Inspection Services (TIS) at 1-888-659-3222. These typically run $100–$400 each depending on scope.

The bigger cost picture is usually the construction itself. A basement suite conversion in NB typically runs $40,000–$90,000 for a quality finished product — covering egress windows ($800–$2,500 each, and NBC requires them in every bedroom), fire separation between units (minimum 45-minute fire rating), separate entrance, interconnected smoke and CO alarms, minimum 6'5" ceiling height, and a dedicated heating system or fire-rated ductwork. If your basement has a low ceiling, that number can climb fast.

One thing to confirm before you spend a dollar: zoning approval comes first. Secondary suites aren't permitted in every zone in every NB community. Call your municipal planning office or RSC before engaging a contractor — a quick conversation can save you from designing something that can't be approved. NB's 2023 local governance reform is also actively reshaping land use plans across the province, so rules that applied a couple of years ago may have changed.

Browse licensed contractors who handle secondary suite builds and conversions in our directory at the New Brunswick Construction Network — finding someone familiar with your local municipality's requirements can streamline the whole permit process considerably.