What is Winnipeg’s Permit Amnesty Program?

BY Scott Moore, Group Leader & Realtor | June 26, 2026

Last year, we talked about what homeowners should do if they completed renovations without getting permits. If that situation applies to you, there’s an important program you should know about: Winnipeg’s Permit Amnesty Program.

Whether it’s a finished basement, new bathroom, structural changes, electrical work, or a garage build, many homeowners are surprised to learn that permits may have been required for the work completed on their property.

The problem is that unpermitted work doesn’t simply disappear when a home is sold.

In Winnipeg, current homeowners can still be held responsible for permits and approvals that were never obtained — even if the work was completed by a previous owner. That means renovations completed years ago can quickly become your responsibility.

This is where the Permit Amnesty Program can help.

The program allows homeowners to apply for permits retroactively on previously completed work, helping bring the property into compliance before issues arise during a sale or inspection.

While there are still costs involved and retroactive permits are typically more expensive than obtaining permits upfront — addressing the issue proactively is almost always better than discovering it halfway through the purchase of your home.

From experience, we’ve seen unpermitted work create major complications during home sales.

Buyers can become hesitant when they discover missing or open permits. In some cases, they request price reductions, ask sellers to close permits before possession, or walk away from the deal altogether. Fewer interested buyers can often lead to a lower sale price and a more stressful transaction.

Even if the renovations were completed professionally, buyers still want reassurance that the work was properly inspected and approved.

The City of Winnipeg offers a free permit search by address tool that allows homeowners to review permit history and confirm whether permits were properly closed. This can be an important step before listing your home.

Closed permits give buyers confidence.

They show that renovations were completed according to proper building and safety standards, helping transactions move more smoothly and reducing the likelihood of surprises during negotiations.

If permits were never obtained, the Permit Amnesty Program may help homeowners correct the issue before putting their property on the market. Depending on the type of renovation, inspections may still be required, and portions of finished work could need to be exposed to verify that everything meets code.

While that can sound overwhelming, dealing with the issue early can save homeowners significant stress, time, and money down the road.

At the end of the day, permits protect homeowners, buyers, and the value of your property.

If you’re unsure about the permit history of your home, or you’re thinking about selling and want guidance on where to start, reach out to The Moore Group. We’d be happy to help you navigate the process and prepare your home.