Town of Comox
How to get a building permit in Comox, BC
Where to apply, what Comox asks for, what it costs, and who issues electrical and gas permits — with links to the city's own forms.
Where to apply in Comox
PSD Citywide Portal (https://citywideportal.com) — online only; create account, submit and track applications digitally
Official Town of Comox permit pageDevelopment Services / Building Dept — 250-339-1118 (or Town Hall 250-339-2202), planning@comox.ca, 1809 Beaufort Ave, Comox BC V9M 1R9; Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm
Who issues electrical and gas permits
Technical Safety BC (province-wide authority; Comox is not a delegated municipality)
- electrical
- Technical Safety BC
- gas
- Technical Safety BC
Step by step in Comox
- 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 — Comox won't issue until land use is settled.
- 2
Work out which permits you need
Structural work needs a building permit from Town of Comox. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC (province-wide authority; Comox is not a delegated municipality). Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.
- 3
Prepare drawings and documents
Town of Comox asks for: Applications submitted online via PSD Citywide portal only (no counter/email intake); Documents required are listed per application type at time of submission in the portal; Must comply with BC Building Code 2024; BC Energy Step Code (Step Code) compliance required; Seismic bracing requirements; Radon rough-in requirements; Each permit reviewed by Engineering (servicing, driveway, off-site) and Planning (zoning, Development Permit Areas).
- 4
Submit your application
PSD Citywide Portal (https://citywideportal.com) — online only; create account, submit and track applications digitally
- 5
Pay the permit fee
Not published on the building page; fees set by Building Bylaw / fee schedule. Confirm with Development Services. Confirm the current schedule with Comox before you budget.
- 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.
What Comox asks for
- Applications submitted online via PSD Citywide portal only (no counter/email intake)
- Documents required are listed per application type at time of submission in the portal
- Must comply with BC Building Code 2024
- BC Energy Step Code (Step Code) compliance required
- Seismic bracing requirements
- Radon rough-in requirements
- Each permit reviewed by Engineering (servicing, driveway, off-site) and Planning (zoning, Development Permit Areas)
Permit fees in Comox
Not published on the building page; fees set by Building Bylaw / fee schedule. Confirm with Development Services.
Fees change and vary by project — confirm the current schedule with Town of Comox.
Permit types in Comox
Plumbing permit
A trade permit (often issued separately from, or alongside, the building permit) authorizing installation, extension, or alteration of potable water, drainage-waste-vent, and connections to municipal water/sewer, verified against the BC Plumbing Code.
Demolition permit
A municipal permit to tear down or remove a building or structure, conditional on safe utility disconnections, a pre-demolition hazardous-materials (asbestos) survey and abatement, and — in many cities — recycling/deconstruction requirements backed by a refundable deposit.
Worth knowing about Comox
Fully online intake through PSD Citywide. Typical processing 2–4 weeks when complete. Development Permit is a separate Planning approval that may be needed before a building permit. Uses BCBC 2024, seismic bracing and radon rough-in requirements.
Comox permit questions
Where do I submit a building permit application in Comox?
PSD Citywide Portal (https://citywideportal.com) — online only; create account, submit and track applications digitally
Who issues electrical and gas permits in Comox?
Technical Safety BC (province-wide authority; Comox is not a delegated municipality)
How much does a building permit cost in Comox?
Not published on the building page; fees set by Building Bylaw / fee schedule. Confirm with Development Services. Fees vary by project, so confirm the current schedule with Town of Comox before budgeting.
What do I need to apply for a building permit in Comox?
Town of Comox asks for: Applications submitted online via PSD Citywide portal only (no counter/email intake); Documents required are listed per application type at time of submission in the portal; Must comply with BC Building Code 2024; BC Energy Step Code (Step Code) compliance required; Seismic bracing requirements; Radon rough-in requirements; Each permit reviewed by Engineering (servicing, driveway, off-site) and Planning (zoning, Development Permit Areas).
Anything else to know about permits in Comox?
Fully online intake through PSD Citywide. Typical processing 2–4 weeks when complete. Development Permit is a separate Planning approval that may be needed before a building permit. Uses BCBC 2024, seismic bracing and radon rough-in requirements.
Sources
General information only, not legal or code advice. Requirements vary by project and change over time — always confirm what applies to your job with Town of Comox before you build.
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