How to get a building permit in Port Hardy, BC

Step by step in Port Hardy

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 — Port Hardy 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 Port Hardy. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC issues electrical and gas permits (confirmed in the shared regional Residential Building Permit Guide — electrical permit to install/alter wiring within/into a building; gas permit to install/alter gas services). Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

3. 3

   Prepare drawings and documents

   District of Port Hardy asks for: Building & plumbing permit changes effective March 8, 2024 (adaptable-dwelling & earthquake changes effective March 10, 2025); BC Building/Plumbing Code 2024 applies; Permit required to erect, alter, add, move or demolish a building OR to install a new wood-burning appliance; apply and pay BEFORE construction begins; Two copies of drawings and plans with details of materials being used are routinely required; Fully detailed scaled plans by building type: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross section (structural details & finishes), elevations of all sides; Engineered/certified plans for manufactured products (trusses, engineered joists, beams); architect/PE drawings for structurally complex work; Electrical permit (Technical Safety BC) for wiring; gas permit (Technical Safety BC) for gas services; Property Assessment Notice + Title Search; survey certificate for new homes; Homeowner Protection Act (home warranty / HPO) documents for new-home construction unless exempt; Strata: company search of owners + Board approval letter + site plan of building sites; Separate Plumbing Permit Application (April 2019 form) for plumbing; secondary suites per BC Building Code Section 9.37; B&B / Short-Term Vacation Rental renovations may require a building permit approved (with fees paid) before renovations start; BC Energy Step Code Step 3 required (permits applied for on/after May 1, 2023) — per Ministerial Order M40 / BA 2023 08.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   In person / email — submit Building Permit Application (and Plumbing Permit Application) to the District Office (reception@porthardy.ca / reception@porthardy.bc.ca); no online permit portal

5. 5

   Pay the permit fee

   Based on total construction value: $75 for value up to $1,000; $8 per $1,000 from $1,001–$100,000; $5.50 per $1,000 from $100,001–$500,000; $4 per $1,000 above $500,000 (per shared regional guide). Plus fees for chimneys, stoves, water/sewer/septic connections and plumbing fixtures. Confirm the current schedule with Port Hardy 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 Port Hardy

Port Hardy permit questions