Building Permits FAQ

When do I need a building permit?

A building permit is required when construction is located within a building inspection area and the work consists of:

• construction of a new building or an addition to an existing building*
• installation of a mobile or manufactured home
• detached ancillary building*
• construction of a deck, if the deck surface is 600 millimeters (twenty-four inches) or higher above grade level, or if the deck is covered
• construction of a carport or garage, either attached to a residence, or detached
• making structural alterations to any building
• moving and/or demolishing any building
• changing the use of a building
• installing chimneys or solid-fuel burning appliances.

*Exceptions

• a detached ancillary building not exceeding 20 square metres (215 square feet) in floor area provided zoning permits
• factory pre-manufactured residential ancillary buildings (ie: portable carport, tent, etc.) not exceeding 55 m2 (595 ft2) in area and one storey in height, if erected for seasonal use only (seasonal means a period of time not exceeding 6 months)
• low human occupancy type farm buildings less than 600 square metres in area when situated on land assessed as a farm
• minor alterations or repairs valued at up to $25,000, only if not creating new rooms or spaces in a building, if non-structural and not related to plumbing or foundation perimeter drains
• re-roofing or replacing exterior cladding unless structural repairs are required, or insulation is also being replaced or upgraded
• unroofed decks attached to or adjacent to residential occupancies if the deck surface is 600 mm (2 feet) or less above the adjacent ground level

Are building permits required in my area?

Search our interactive map or contact the building or planning department.

All construction within the Province of BC is required to comply with the BC Building Code even if the project is being constructed outside of a building inspection service area.

Also, if a dwelling is being constructed, the provincial Homeowner Protection Act is in force. For further information contact BC Housing at 1-800-407-7757.

How much does a building permit cost?

Permit costs are based on construction values.

Please see the table of fees for a more complete description of permit fee charges.

When do I need to schedule an inspection?

Inspections required

Processing time

We commit to processing all permit applications as quickly as possible. Therefore, we only accept complete applications.

Processing time can be under 20 business days (4 weeks), depending on:

1. Complexity of project. Complex permits processing times are project dependent.
2. Time of year and volume of permits.
3. First come first serve basis.
4. Processing time begins upon receipt of ALL required documentation.

Permit issued

A permit is issued when:

• All required documentation has been submitted and reviewed
• Building department confirms by a Building Code Compliance Plan review that all proposed work substantially conforms with the current BC building code,
• Development Services department confirms compliance of proposed work with applicable zoning bylaw.
• All the fees are paid
• The owner has retained a professional engineer or architect if required
• The owner has been granted Development Permit/Development Variance Permit if required.
• The proposed work complies with ALC regulations for lands within the ALR or the owner has been granted approval for non-permitted uses within by the ALC for lands within the ALR

Permit cost

Permit costs are based on construction values.

Please see the table of fees for a more complete description of permit fee charges.

Permit denied

Building permits can be denied if the applicant has not submitted complete information such as:

• application forms not complete
• less than a full set of drawings
• not enough detailed information
• not the required scale
• no proof of New Home Registration Form, when required
• engineering design and documents not provided when required
• when proposed use or construction contravenes the British Columbia Building Code, Regional District Bylaws, or other applicable regulations.

Please refer to Building Permits Plans and Inspections brochure for more detailed information.

Permit duration

Applications:

• Six (6) months from the date of application.
• Applications are considered abandoned after 6 months if all required documents are not received.

Building Permit:

• Expire two (2) years after the issue date (excluding demolition permits).
• It is possible to extend a permit for the remaining work for an extra fee.

Demolition Permit:

• Expires six (6) months after issue if materials are being recycled.
• Expires three (3) months after issue if materials are not being recycled

**Permits must be posted in view from the street**

Permit expiration

Contact the building department to request a renewal of the permit.

Renewal cost is percentage based on last approved inspection to date.