Bedford only for now — more HRM areas coming soon
Do you need a permit for your project?
Halifax bylaws are buried in 400-page PDFs. Calling 311 means a 30-minute hold. Get a clear, bylaw-accurate answer in 2 minutes — free, no phone calls, no guessing.
Official HRM bylaws
Rules from published PDFs
All HRM zones*
R1, R2, RA, MU & more
Your data stays local
No account, no tracking
Instant results
Answer in under 2 minutes
*Zoning lookup works for all HRM addresses. Detailed permit rules are currently digitised for Bedford only — more areas are being added.
Stop doing it the hard way
Most Halifax homeowners waste hours before they even break ground.
Call HRM at 311
- 30–45 minute hold time
- Business hours only
- May need to call back
- Hard to get a clear yes/no
Search the bylaws yourself
- 400+ page PDFs
- Multiple overlapping documents
- Dense legal language
- Zone-specific exceptions everywhere
Use PermitGuide
- Enter your address
- Describe your project
- Get your answer in 2 minutes
- Free, anytime, no hold music
How it works
Three steps. Two minutes.
Enter your address
Your zoning code (e.g. R1 — Single Family) is auto-detected from HRM's public GIS data. No manual lookup needed.
e.g. Lake Dr, Bedford
Describe your project
Choose your project type and enter dimensions in feet or metres. The form adapts to what you're building.
Get your answer
Permit required or not — with the exact bylaw references, required documents, and your next steps.
Supported project types
Select your project type and we check the right set of bylaws automatically.
Deck
Attached or detached outdoor platform.
Height, area, setback, and attachment — checked against HRM Land Use By-law.
Fence
Any material, front or rear yard.
Height and yard location — checked against HRM By-Law B-201.
Shed
Detached backyard storage building.
Footprint and height — a shed 20 m² or larger, or taller than one storey, also needs a building permit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you start.