How to get a building permit in Delta, BC

Step by step in Delta

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

2. 2

   Work out which permits you need

   Structural work needs a building permit from Corporation of Delta (City of Delta). Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC — Delta states administration of safety standards for electrical, gas, boiler and other technical equipment is delegated to Technical Safety BC. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   Corporation of Delta (City of Delta) asks for: Two-step online submission: Delta Online application + fee, then ePlan drawing upload (submissions must be digital; registered-professional seals in digital format with verification embedded in the documents); Drawings scaled to scope (site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections); requirements 'dependent on the scope and nature of the proposal'; Site plan with existing/proposed buildings and setbacks; BC Energy Step Code: Part 9 homes must meet STEP 3; all new/substantially-reconstructed dwellings require energy modelling by a certified Energy Advisor with the application, and an As-Built Step Code compliance report at Final/Occupancy; New-home warranty: enrol with BC Housing or qualify for an exemption before starting a new home; Owner authorization / Letter of Authorization for Strata Properties where applicable; Registered professional Letters of Assurance (Schedule B) for complex/engineered work; Geotechnical report for hillside / slope-instability development permit areas; engineered SEAWALL (structural engineer) for Boundary Bay shorefront properties; Contaminated Site Profile and Fraser Health approvals where triggered; Electrical & gas permits from Technical Safety BC (proof required at framing inspection).

4. 4

   Submit your application

   TWO online portals, mandatory two-step process (paper/email applications no longer accepted): (1) 'Delta Online' eApply/Prospero — https://deltaonline.ca (complete the application form + pay the application fee); (2) 'ePlan' portal — upload required drawings then click 'Submit for Review'. Application is only reviewed once BOTH steps are complete. Inspections booked via 'eInspections' (up to 5 days ahead) on deltaonline.ca.

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Varies by permit type/scope; fee-payment request and instructions sent after the application is received. Building permit = plan-processing fee + building permit fee (scales with construction value). Plumbing fees calculated by number of fixtures and whether fire-sprinkler/hydrant/hot-water-heating systems are involved. Demolition permit approx. flat fee (~$153). Confirm the current schedule with Delta 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 Delta

Delta permit questions