Manitoba is setting firm turnaround times for building authorities to process permit applications and conduct inspections. A regulation to enact the new performance standards was filed last month and will go into effect on March 1, 2024.

Beginning that day, proponents applying for building permits for commercial projects larger than 600 square metres (6,458 square feet) can expect approvals authorities to provide a decision within a maximum of 30 business days. Other new deadlines for response times vary with the task and the size and type of structures under scrutiny.

Most of the new requirements are to be phased in with faster turnarounds imposed after March 1, 2025. Notably, approvals officials will initially have 25 business days to make decisions on building permits for single-family residences, but that timeline will shrink to 10 business days as of March 2025.

“Builders and developers will be able to plan and schedule their development activities based on provincewide mandated timelines,” says Jon Reyes, Manitoba’s Minister of Labour and Immigration. “These important changes will enhance opportunities for economic growth within the province by providing builders and developers with reasonable timeframes for permitting decisions.

The performance standards also dictate maximum turnaround times for pronouncing whether a permit application is complete, for making decisions about occupancy permits and for conducting required inspections. As of March 2025, the latter is to occur within two business days for both commercial and residential structures.