How to get a building permit in Pitt Meadows, BC

Step by step in Pitt Meadows

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 — Pitt Meadows 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 Pitt Meadows. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC — the City explicitly states 'The City of Pitt Meadows does not issue gas or electrical permits. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   City of Pitt Meadows asks for: THREE (3) complete, fully detailed sets of plans drawn to scale, with enough detail for a competent person to construct the work; Site plan showing location of existing + proposed buildings with setbacks; location/dimensions of municipal easements, rights-of-way and registered covenants; Floor plans and elevations of proposed buildings; BC Energy Step Code / energy compliance information for applicable new construction; Owner's Acknowledgement of Responsibility and Owner's Acknowledgement of Professional Design and Review forms; Proof of Liability Insurance; Letter of Authorization where an agent applies on the owner's behalf; New-home warranty (BC Housing enrolment or owner-builder exemption) for new residential construction; Schedule B / registered professional Letters of Assurance for engineered / complex work per BC Building Code; Electrical & gas permits obtained separately from Technical Safety BC (proof may be required).

4. 4

   Submit your application

   No full online APPLICATION portal — building permit application packages are submitted IN PERSON at City Hall or by EMAIL to building@pittmeadows.ca. The City does run 'MyPittMeadows eServices' (a.k.a. MyInspections) at the pittmeadows.ca eServices page for booking/rescheduling/cancelling inspections online (register a profile with email verification).

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Building permit fees based on the VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION per Building Bylaw No. 2131, 2003, Schedule 1 (current building bylaw referenced as the successor bylaw). Application/plan review fee at submission plus permit fee at issuance; refundable deposits/securities may apply. Confirm the current schedule with Pitt Meadows 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.

Pitt Meadows permit questions