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City of Duncan

How to get a building permit in Duncan, BC

Where to apply, what Duncan asks for, what it costs, and who issues electrical and gas permits — with links to the city's own forms.

Where to apply in Duncan

In person / email — no named online permitting portal (no Cloudpermit/ProjectDox/MyCity). Applications and checklists are downloadable PDFs; submit to Development Services. Contact the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) at 250-746-6126 before applying to confirm requirements and whether a Development Permit is needed first.

Official City of Duncan permit page

Development Services Department (Building Inspector): 250-746-6126, developmentservices@duncan.ca. General: duncan@duncan.ca. Duncan City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3.

Who issues electrical and gas permits

Technical Safety BC — Duncan's page directs applicants to Technical Safety BC for gas and electrical permits (1-866-566-7233). Not issued by the City.

electrical
Technical Safety BC
gas
Technical Safety BC

Step by step in Duncan

  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 — Duncan 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 Duncan. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC — Duncan's page directs applicants to Technical Safety BC for gas and electrical permits (1-866-566-7233). Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

  3. 3

    Prepare drawings and documents

    City of Duncan asks for: Completed Building Permit Application form; Building Permit - New Building Application Requirements documents / Tenant Improvement Application Checklist as applicable; Full construction drawings and site plan; Site Disclosure Statement required with development permit applications (as of Feb 1, 2021); Authorization of Agent form if applicant is not the owner; BC Energy Step Code and home warranty (BC Housing) for applicable new construction; Engineered drawings for complex/structural work where required.

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    In person / email — no named online permitting portal (no Cloudpermit/ProjectDox/MyCity). Applications and checklists are downloadable PDFs; submit to Development Services. Contact the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) at 250-746-6126 before applying to confirm requirements and whether a Development Permit is needed first.

  5. 5

    Pay the permit fee

    Set out in the 'Building Permit - Fees and Charges' document / City fee bylaw, based on construction value. Confirm the current schedule with Duncan 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.

What Duncan asks for

  • Completed Building Permit Application form
  • Building Permit - New Building Application Requirements documents / Tenant Improvement Application Checklist as applicable
  • Full construction drawings and site plan
  • Site Disclosure Statement required with development permit applications (as of Feb 1, 2021)
  • Authorization of Agent form if applicant is not the owner
  • BC Energy Step Code and home warranty (BC Housing) for applicable new construction
  • Engineered drawings for complex/structural work where required

Permit fees in Duncan

Set out in the 'Building Permit - Fees and Charges' document / City fee bylaw, based on construction value.

Fees change and vary by project — confirm the current schedule with City of Duncan.

Worth knowing about Duncan

Small city (approx. 5,000 pop.) with a manual/PDF-based process — contact the Building Inspector first. Many projects require a Development Permit prior to the building permit because much of the city falls within Development Permit Areas.

Duncan permit questions

Where do I submit a building permit application in Duncan?

In person / email — no named online permitting portal (no Cloudpermit/ProjectDox/MyCity). Applications and checklists are downloadable PDFs; submit to Development Services. Contact the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) at 250-746-6126 before applying to confirm requirements and whether a Development Permit is needed first.

Who issues electrical and gas permits in Duncan?

Technical Safety BC — Duncan's page directs applicants to Technical Safety BC for gas and electrical permits (1-866-566-7233). Not issued by the City.

How much does a building permit cost in Duncan?

Set out in the 'Building Permit - Fees and Charges' document / City fee bylaw, based on construction value. Fees vary by project, so confirm the current schedule with City of Duncan before budgeting.

What do I need to apply for a building permit in Duncan?

City of Duncan asks for: Completed Building Permit Application form; Building Permit - New Building Application Requirements documents / Tenant Improvement Application Checklist as applicable; Full construction drawings and site plan; Site Disclosure Statement required with development permit applications (as of Feb 1, 2021); Authorization of Agent form if applicant is not the owner; BC Energy Step Code and home warranty (BC Housing) for applicable new construction; Engineered drawings for complex/structural work where required.

Anything else to know about permits in Duncan?

Small city (approx. 5,000 pop.) with a manual/PDF-based process — contact the Building Inspector first. Many projects require a Development Permit prior to the building permit because much of the city falls within Development Permit Areas.

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 City of Duncan before you build.

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