How to get a permit

Which permit you need, who issues it, and your city's exact forms & fees — for BC trades.

Plan your permit

Pick what you're working on — get the exact permit(s) you need and who issues them.

What are you working on?

Rough building-permit fee

Enter your construction value for a ballpark.

Rough BC-typical estimate for the building permit only — trade permits (electrical / gas / plumbing) are billed separately. Your city sets the exact fee; always confirm before you rely on it.

Your city's permit requirements

Every BC municipality runs its own permit office — different portal, forms, and fees. Pick yours:

What to do for each permit type

The steps and exact forms differ by permit. Tap one to expand.

The full process, start to finish

1. Figure out which permit(s) you need
Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and gas work needs one; big jobs need several at once. Unsure? Ask your building department first — working without a permit risks a stop-work order.
2. Know who issues it
Building and plumbing come from your city; electrical and gas from Technical Safety BC (a few cities run their own). The tool above shows exactly who, for your city.
3. Prepare your drawings & application
A site plan and construction drawings showing the scope — engineered/stamped for structural work, plus Step Code for new builds. Incomplete applications are the #1 cause of delays.
4. Submit and pay
Apply through the city's portal or in person with your drawings. You usually pay part up front and the balance on issuance.
5. Plan review
The building department checks it against the Building Code and zoning. Respond promptly to any comments — clear drawings mean faster approval.
6. Permit issued — post it on site
Post it visibly, and don't start the permitted work until it's in hand. Trade permits are pulled by the licensed contractor doing that work.
7. Build and pass inspections
Book inspections at each stage — footings, framing, rough-in, insulation, final. Don't cover up work before it's inspected; passing final closes the permit.

Your permit checklist

0 / 8 ready

Tick these off as you gather them — saved on this device.

Official sources

Technical Safety BC — electrical & gas permits (most of BC)
BC Building Code & Step Code — the standards your work is reviewed against
BC Housing — Licensing & Consumer Services — residential builder licensing + 2-5-10 home warranty & owner-builder authorization
Your municipality's building department — building & plumbing permits, inspections, local requirements

General information only. This guide explains the typical BC permitting process and is not legal, code, or professional advice. Requirements vary by municipality and by project, and rules change — always confirm what applies to your specific job with your local building department and Technical Safety BC before you start work. We don't guarantee accuracy or completeness.