How to get a building permit in Kent, BC

Step by step in Kent

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 — Kent 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 Kent (Agassiz). Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC (provincial). Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   District of Kent (Agassiz) asks for: Building Permit Application form completed; Site plan and construction drawings; Letter of Agency if applying on behalf of the owner; Sub-contractor business licence + trade certification for each trade (electrical, plumbing, gas, sprinkler, insulation, solid-fuel); BC Energy Step Code compliance for new Part 9 buildings; Engineered/sealed drawings for engineered structures; As of Jan 1 2024, asbestos-abatement contractors must be licensed in BC (relevant to demolition/renovation).

4. 4

   Submit your application

   In person / email — submit applications to building@kentbc.ca (no Cloudpermit-style online portal found; District office at 7170 Cheam Ave)

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Set by the District of Kent building bylaw fee schedule; not published on the permit page — confirm with the building department. Confirm the current schedule with Kent 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 Kent

Kent permit questions