How to get a building permit in Chilliwack, BC

Step by step in Chilliwack

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 — Chilliwack won't issue until land use is settled.

2. 2

   Work out which permits you need

   Structural work needs a building permit from City of Chilliwack. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC issues and inspects ELECTRICAL and GAS permits for Chilliwack. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   City of Chilliwack asks for: Building Permit Application Form; Two (2) complete sets of drawings: floor plans, cross-sections, foundation, elevations, plumbing, electrical, site plan, and site certificate if required (online submissions uploaded as multi-page PDFs by drawing type via ProjectDox); Site plan showing building location + dimensions, setbacks, existing/finished ground elevations, utilities (storm/water/sanitary or septic), lot grading, drainage, landscaping, driveway; applicant stakes out building location and installs temporary street-address sign; Drawings prepared by a qualified Draftsperson OR signed/sealed/dated by a Registered Professional; State of Title Certificate (proof of ownership); Letter of Authorization if an agent acts for the owner; Owner's Undertaking for Part 3 buildings using registered professionals (letters of assurance); Verification of Hazardous Materials Risk Assessment for demolition; Geotechnical report where land is subject to flooding, mudflow, erosion, etc.; New-home third-party warranty (Homeowner Protection Act / BC Housing) mandatory on new homes except owner-builders; Sealed septic filing papers where on-septic; restrictive covenants for floodplain construction.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   MyCity Portal for online building permit applications, with ProjectDox used for drawing/document upload and review. Online submission accepted for Part 9 residential (new single/two-family, additions, renovations), rural/residential accessory, agricultural buildings, Part 3 tenant improvements, demolition, utility connection, and sign permits (pylon/fascia). New Part 3 buildings must be submitted as hard copies. Register first, then apply under Applications > Building Permit > Apply for a new permit. Online applications page: https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=3198

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Per the City's 'Permit Fees and Security Deposits' schedule (based on construction value/permit type); refundable security deposits apply to certain work. Confirmed with the Building Division at application. Confirm the current schedule with Chilliwack 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.

Permit types in Chilliwack

Chilliwack permit questions