What permits do I need to pour a new foundation in New Brunswick?

Pouring a new foundation in New Brunswick always requires a building permit — this is one of the most consistently enforced permit requirements in the province, and for good reason. A foundation is the structural backbone of your home, and NB's strict frost depth requirements (4-5 feet depending on location) mean that even a small error in design or installation can cause significant structural damage over time.

The building permit process for a new foundation in NB involves several steps. You (or your contractor) submit a permit application to your local building inspection office — this is the municipal office for residents of Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, Miramichi, Bathurst, and other incorporated municipalities, or the Regional Service Commission for unincorporated areas. The application requires site plans showing the proposed structure's footprint, setbacks from property lines, and a foundation plan or drawing. For most residential new builds and additions, you will also need construction drawings — either stamped by an engineer or prepared to NB Building Code standards.

Key inspections are required at specific stages. The most critical is the footing inspection, which must happen before you pour the concrete footings. The building inspector will verify that the excavation has reached below the frost line (minimum 1.2 metres / 4 feet in most of NB, deeper in northern communities like Bathurst and Edmundston), that the footing dimensions and reinforcement meet code, and that the footings bear on undisturbed or properly compacted soil. Pouring footings before this inspection is done without approval means you may be required to expose them again or, in the worst case, remove and redo them.

After footings, a foundation wall inspection may be required before backfilling — this allows the inspector to verify wall thickness, reinforcement placement, and any required waterproofing. Your municipality will specify exactly which inspections are required when they issue the permit; keep the inspection card on site and call the building department to schedule each required visit.

Damp-proofing and drainage are also code requirements for NB foundations. Poured concrete foundation walls must be damp-proofed on the exterior below grade, and perimeter drainage tile (weeping tile) is required around the footing to manage groundwater. In NB, where spring thaw can push significant amounts of groundwater against foundations — particularly in the Saint John River valley and coastal areas near Moncton and Shediac — these drainage requirements are taken seriously.

Permit fees in NB vary by municipality but typically run $500-$2,000 for a new foundation, often calculated as a percentage of project value. Budget $15,000-$40,000 for a full poured concrete basement foundation for a standard residential home, depending on size and complexity. Never skip or work around the permit process on foundation work — it affects your home insurance, future sale ability, and most importantly, the safety and longevity of your home.