District of Highlands
How to get a building permit in Highlands, BC
Where to apply, what Highlands asks for, what it costs, and who issues electrical and gas permits — with links to the city's own forms.
Where to apply in Highlands
In person / email (info@highlands.ca) / mail. No online portal.
Official District of Highlands permit pageBuilding Dept: 250-474-1773, info@highlands.ca, 1980 Millstream Road, Victoria (Highlands), BC V9B 6H1. Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm.
Who issues electrical and gas permits
Technical Safety BC issues both electrical and gas permits (1-866-566-7233). Not handled by the District.
- electrical
- Technical Safety BC
- Sending this to District of Highlands instead won't get forwarded — it starts over. On a service upgrade that also pushes out your BC Hydro reconnect, usually the longest lead time on the whole job.
- gas
- Technical Safety BC
- Sending this to District of Highlands instead won't get forwarded — it starts over, and gas work can't be inspected or turned on until the right authority has issued the permit.
Step by step in Highlands
- 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 — Highlands won't issue until land use is settled.
- 2
Work out which permits you need
Structural work needs a building permit from District of Highlands. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC issues both electrical and gas permits (1-866-566-7233). Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.
- 3
Prepare drawings and documents
District of Highlands asks for: Only complete applications with all required documents are accepted; Governed by Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192 and the BC Building Code (minimum requirements for safety, health, accessibility, fire, structural, energy and water efficiency); Permit required before constructing, repairing, altering, moving or demolishing any building or structure; no stage of work may start before permit issuance; Detailed document requirements (site plan, drawings, engineered drawings for complex work, septic approval) are listed on the application/checklist.
- 4
Submit your application
In person / email (info@highlands.ca) / mail. No online portal.
- 5
Pay the permit fee
Fees per District bylaw (not detailed on the building page); refer to Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192. Confirm the current schedule with Highlands 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 Highlands asks for
- Only complete applications with all required documents are accepted
- Governed by Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192 and the BC Building Code (minimum requirements for safety, health, accessibility, fire, structural, energy and water efficiency)
- Permit required before constructing, repairing, altering, moving or demolishing any building or structure; no stage of work may start before permit issuance
- Detailed document requirements (site plan, drawings, engineered drawings for complex work, septic approval) are listed on the application/checklist
Permit fees in Highlands
Fees per District bylaw (not detailed on the building page); refer to Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192.
Fees change and vary by project — confirm the current schedule with District of Highlands.
Permit types in Highlands
Building permit
The core municipal approval to legally construct, add to, or structurally alter a building, issued after plan review confirms compliance with the BC Building Code and local bylaws.
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.
Worth knowing about Highlands
Small rural district (~2,500 pop). Broad range of land/environmental permits (soil, tree cutting, blasting) reflecting the forested terrain.
Highlands permit questions
Where do I submit a building permit application in Highlands?
In person / email (info@highlands.ca) / mail. No online portal.
Who issues electrical and gas permits in Highlands?
Technical Safety BC issues both electrical and gas permits (1-866-566-7233). Not handled by the District.
How much does a building permit cost in Highlands?
Fees per District bylaw (not detailed on the building page); refer to Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192. Fees vary by project, so confirm the current schedule with District of Highlands before budgeting.
What do I need to apply for a building permit in Highlands?
District of Highlands asks for: Only complete applications with all required documents are accepted; Governed by Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192 and the BC Building Code (minimum requirements for safety, health, accessibility, fire, structural, energy and water efficiency); Permit required before constructing, repairing, altering, moving or demolishing any building or structure; no stage of work may start before permit issuance; Detailed document requirements (site plan, drawings, engineered drawings for complex work, septic approval) are listed on the application/checklist.
Anything else to know about permits in Highlands?
Small rural district (~2,500 pop). Broad range of land/environmental permits (soil, tree cutting, blasting) reflecting the forested terrain.
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 District of Highlands before you build.
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