Home Renovations and Basements

Permits are required for common renovation projects such as:

Replacing exterior finish - if adding exterior rigid insulation
Adding or changing the size of a window or exterior door that require structural modifications
Renovations that create new rooms, or spaces in a building
Plumbing pipe system upgrades
Structural changes
Solar panel installations on existing structures

Permits are NOT required for maintenance or minor cosmetic upgrades – less than $25,000 - such as:

Changing the exterior finish material of a house - if not adding exterior insulation
Replacing flooring, painting, installing kitchen cabinets
Replacing roof shingles
Replacing windows of the same size
Plumbing fixture upgrades

For list of permit exemptions see CRD Building Bylaw

Step 1: Plan your location

A site plan is required for all applications. To avoid delays and minimize application processing times please follow the steps below to submit a suitable site plan.

Understand your location restrictions

Fill out a zoning request form and submit it to the Planning Department to find out important information such as designated property setbacks from lot edges and waterways, and possible hazards to consider.

Prepare a site plan

A site plan should:

be drawn on a real property report, plot plan, or graph paper

A site plan must include:

North arrow
Property address
Corresponding streets and avenues
Dimensions of property lines
Location, measurements, building height, and setbacks of proposed and existing buildings and structures to property lines and any water features
Location of any water features such as creek(s), and/or lake(s)
Identify applicable caveats, covenants, easements

Site Plan Instructions and Sheet

Step 2: Design your project

Design drawing standards

Design Drawings must include:

Main Floor Plan
Cross section
Elevation
Foundation

Design Drawings Requirements:

Prepared by a professional draftsperson, or someone with appropriate skills in technical drawing to prepare a to-scale, accurate representation of the proposed work.
The scale of the drawing should be: 1/4"=1'-0" or 1:100; Elevation scale: 3/16”=1'
Metric or imperial units are accepted. To avoid confusion, please use the same units consistently throughout your application.

An owner or builder may prepare their own plans provided they meet the following criteria:

the floor area is less than 600 square metres (6, 460 square feet) and not more than three storeys in building height;
all structural elements fall within Part 9 of the BC Building Code; and
the building is NOT an assembly, institutional, or “high hazard” industrial occupancy.

Reference should also be made to the BC provincial “Architect's Act”

Engineered designs

When the proposed work is not covered by the prescriptive parts (Part 9) of the BC Building Code, a registered professional (an architect or a professional engineer) must be consulted, and may be required, under provincial acts or codes, to inspect certain elements of the construction. Please call our Building department if you are unsure of the requirements that must be met for your proposed work.

Step 3: Submit your application

Documents required for 'home renovations and basements' permit application

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Permit Application
Non-refundable Permit Application Fee
Site plan instructions and sheet
Design Drawings (including foundation, floor, cross-section and four elevations)
Form A - Owner's Undertaking
Schedule A (if applicable)
Schedule B (if applicable)

"Pursuant to section 26 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act), the personal information collected will only be used for the purposes of evaluating your application. Your personal information will not be released except in accordance with the Act.

Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Cariboo Regional District’s Manager of Corporate Services, Suite D, 180 North Third Avenue, Williams Lake, BC, V2G 2A4, 250-392-3351 or mailbox@cariboord.ca"

Fees

Each application is unique and will be costed according to the number and type of permits that may be required. Typical applications involve the following fees:

Non-refundable Permit Application fee

Important Information About Permits

Plans for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, or electrical systems are not reviewed prior to the issuance of permits, as code compliance is verified during inspections. Homeowners and/or contractors are responsible for ensuring that design and construction meet code.

Inspections may be required at various stages of your project. Your building permit conditions will indicate when you need to request inspections.

Some projects may require both a development permit and a building permit. If you are unsure, please contact the CRD Building Department to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork before proceeding.