Doug our code states for new homes that one fan (must be low sone) be interlocked with the furnace fan. A timer is set up by the furnace, where it will turn on both the fan and furnace fan (at low speed) twice a day for 4 hours each time. Other fans can just be hooked up to a switch. Check your local building codes.
They used to wire them using a dehumidistat but that was changed a few years ago. Never heard of a fan being connected directly with no switch. Look around for a dehumidistat - they were usually placed in a hallway outside the bathroom.
As for permits for every job, it's just a cash grab by the BC Safety Authority.....which is supposedly "NON PROFIT" (cough - bs - cough). I guess what they want is handymen doing the smaller jobs.....forcing us to take permits out for every job no matter how small is causing just that.