How to get a building permit in Central Saanich, BC

Step by step in Central Saanich

1. 1

   Confirm zoning before anything else

   Check the property's zone, setbacks, height and lot coverage, and whether it sits in a Development Permit Area. If it does, that approval has to come before the building permit — Central Saanich won't issue until land use is settled.

2. 2

   Work out which permits you need

   Structural work needs a building permit from District of Central Saanich. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC — the District explicitly states electrical and gas permits are issued and regulated by the Province through Technical Safety BC (technicalsafetybc. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   District of Central Saanich asks for: Completed building permit application form; Recent title search (within 30 days); Digital drawing set: site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, details; Structural engineer designs with Schedule B and Letters of Assurance / Form 2 for engineered work; BC Energy Step Code pre-construction compliance report for new residential construction; Copy of new residential registration through BC Housing (Licensing & Consumer Services, formerly HPO) confirming home warranty coverage for new homes; Secondary suite checklist where applicable; Hazardous Material Assessment for pre-1990 buildings (before demolition/renovation); 3 sets of sealed paper copies of construction drawings required prior to issuance.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   CSOnline / Tempest EAPPLY (Prospero) online portal — https://www.mycentralsaanich.ca/tempestlive/EAPPLY/Prospero/Dashboard/ . All Building and Plumbing permits are apply-ONLINE-ONLY. Digital plans may also be emailed to building@csaanich.ca with a completed application form.

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Set out in Schedule H Building Permit Fees (https://www.centralsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/Schedule%20H%20Building%20Permit%20Fees.pdf), tied to the Building Bylaw; permits valid 2 years with construction required to start within the first year. Confirm the current schedule with Central Saanich before you budget.

6. 6

   Plan review, then build to inspections

   The building department reviews against the BC Building Code and zoning; answer any comments quickly. Once issued, post the permit on site and book inspections at each stage — footings, framing, rough-in, insulation, final. Don't cover work before it's inspected.

Central Saanich permit questions