Confusing world of permitting

[Wa Chan]

Hello everyone,

I closed on my first property mid Feb, and am in the process of putting in an extra bedroom in the basement (has a separate door into the back yard) and building a wall down there to create a shared laundry room for the main and lower levels. I will put in an egress window, build the walls, as well as create a closet to separate the furnace in the room. We will also redo our entire backyard (in really bad shape right now). We hope to gain equity after refinancing so long as rates stay within reason. I will be getting a permit for the egress, but am wondering if the permits for building the room and electric wiring are needed? There will be a few outlets and recess lighting added. Also, aside from potentially needing permits to increase equity, what are implications are there to not getting every single permit? I’m finding permitting to be rather confusing and so I’d appreciate any advice. TIA!