Do I need a plumbing permit to move my kitchen sink in NB?

Yes, moving a kitchen sink in New Brunswick requires a plumbing permit. Any work that involves extending, relocating, or modifying supply lines and drain pipes falls under the plumbing code and requires a permit and inspection through your municipality or Regional Service Commission.

Moving a sink is one of the most common layout changes during a kitchen renovation, whether you are relocating it from an exterior wall to a new island, shifting it along the same wall to create a better work triangle, or moving it to the opposite side of the kitchen entirely. Each of these scenarios involves extending or rerouting hot and cold water supply lines and the drain and vent system, which is regulated work that must be done by a licensed plumber and inspected for code compliance.

The cost of moving a kitchen sink in New Brunswick typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on how far the sink is moving and the complexity of the drain and vent routing. A short move of a few feet along the same wall is on the lower end because the existing drain stack and vent are nearby. Moving the sink to an island in the middle of the kitchen is on the higher end because it requires running supply lines through the floor, installing a drain line with proper slope to the main stack, and often adding an island vent (air admittance valve or loop vent) to meet plumbing code requirements.

What the Permit Covers

The plumbing permit process involves submitting a description of the work to your local building inspection department. In cities like Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, the municipal department handles this and typically processes permits within 1 to 3 weeks. In rural NB areas covered by Regional Service Commissions, allow 2 to 5 weeks. Permit fees for residential plumbing work are generally $75 to $200.

The inspection has two stages: a rough-in inspection after the supply and drain lines are installed but before the floor or walls are closed up, and a final inspection once the sink and faucet are connected and operational. The rough-in inspection is the critical one — the inspector checks pipe sizing, drain slope (1/4 inch per foot minimum), proper venting, supply line materials, and valve placement. If you close up the walls or floor before the rough-in inspection, you may be required to tear out the finished work so the inspector can see the pipes.

While you are opening up the floor and walls for the sink relocation, this is the ideal time to assess the condition of your existing plumbing. Many older NB homes built before 1980 have galvanized steel supply pipes that corrode internally, reducing water pressure and potentially leaching contaminants. Replacing these with copper or PEX while the walls are open adds relatively little cost compared to doing it as a separate project later. Your licensed plumber can advise on whether a full or partial repipe makes sense for your situation.

A qualified kitchen renovation contractor will coordinate the plumbing permit and inspections as part of your project timeline, ensuring the rough-in inspection happens before cabinets and countertops go in.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations