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District of Saanich

How to get a building permit in Saanich, BC

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

Where to apply in Saanich

MySaanich — online Tempest-based portal to apply, upload documents, pay fees, book inspections and view status. Register at https://online.saanich.ca/Tempest/LoginManager/Register.aspx . A MySaanich account is required to submit.

Official District of Saanich permit page

Inspection Services: 250-475-5457 (and 250-475-5570 for building dept fee inquiries), inspections@saanich.ca; District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Ave, Saanich, BC V8X 2W7

Who issues electrical and gas permits

Technical Safety BC issues BOTH electrical AND gas permits for Saanich. Saanich is NOT on the delegated-municipality list (confirmed against Technical Safety BC jurisdiction list), so the District does not run its own electrical or gas program. Contact Technical Safety BC at technicalsafetybc.ca / 1-866-566-7233.

electrical
Technical Safety BC
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Technical Safety BC

Step by step in Saanich

  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 — Saanich 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 Saanich. Electrical and gas are separate and are issued by Technical Safety BC issues BOTH electrical AND gas permits for Saanich. Plumbing is usually part of the building permit.

  3. 3

    Prepare drawings and documents

    District of Saanich asks for: Apply digitally through a MySaanich account (upload documents, pay fees online); Certificate of Title from the Land Title Office (identifies encumbrances against the property); Project-specific checklist package (New Build / Addition / Renovation / Deck / Demolition / Other); Agent Authorization Form where an agent/contractor applies on the owner's behalf; Arborist report where trees are affected (per Arborist Report Guidelines); Follow the Building Permit Document Guide for drawings and supporting documents; Demolition and plumbing work may be included within the building permit application (avoids separate permits).

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    MySaanich — online Tempest-based portal to apply, upload documents, pay fees, book inspections and view status. Register at https://online.saanich.ca/Tempest/LoginManager/Register.aspx . A MySaanich account is required to submit.

  5. 5

    Pay the permit fee

    Value-based application fee tiers plus a per-$1,000 permit fee (per Saanich Permit Fees schedule, updated Sept 2025): Application fee — <$15,000 = $100; $15,001–$100,000 = $300; $100,001–$500,000 = $1,000; $500,001–$2,000,000 = $3,000; $2,000,001–$10,000,000 = $7,500; over $10,000,000 = $15,000. Building permit fee — $100 minimum for value ≤ $1,000; ~$13.00 per $1,000 of value up to $499,999 and ~$10.00 per $1,000 above $500,000. Demolition application/permit fee $50. Surety deposits (e.g. new SFD/simple building $2,000; complex building $10,000; alteration/reno/demo $1,000). Alternative Solution review $550 initial / $250 each additional. Plus water/sewer connection charges. Confirm the current schedule with Saanich 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 Saanich asks for

  • Apply digitally through a MySaanich account (upload documents, pay fees online)
  • Certificate of Title from the Land Title Office (identifies encumbrances against the property)
  • Project-specific checklist package (New Build / Addition / Renovation / Deck / Demolition / Other)
  • Agent Authorization Form where an agent/contractor applies on the owner's behalf
  • Arborist report where trees are affected (per Arborist Report Guidelines)
  • Follow the Building Permit Document Guide for drawings and supporting documents
  • Demolition and plumbing work may be included within the building permit application (avoids separate permits)

Permit fees in Saanich

Value-based application fee tiers plus a per-$1,000 permit fee (per Saanich Permit Fees schedule, updated Sept 2025): Application fee — <$15,000 = $100; $15,001–$100,000 = $300; $100,001–$500,000 = $1,000; $500,001–$2,000,000 = $3,000; $2,000,001–$10,000,000 = $7,500; over $10,000,000 = $15,000. Building permit fee — $100 minimum for value ≤ $1,000; ~$13.00 per $1,000 of value up to $499,999 and ~$10.00 per $1,000 above $500,000. Demolition application/permit fee $50. Surety deposits (e.g. new SFD/simple building $2,000; complex building $10,000; alteration/reno/demo $1,000). Alternative Solution review $550 initial / $250 each additional. Plus water/sewer connection charges.

Fees change and vary by project — confirm the current schedule with District of Saanich.

Saanich permit forms

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Worth knowing about Saanich

Certificate of Title is mandatory. Plumbing and demolition can be rolled into the building permit, simplifying trade submissions. Arborist report may be triggered by Saanich's tree-protection rules. Development Permit applications are a separate planning stream — check whether a DP is required first. All electrical/gas is Technical Safety BC.

Saanich permit questions

Where do I submit a building permit application in Saanich?

MySaanich — online Tempest-based portal to apply, upload documents, pay fees, book inspections and view status. Register at https://online.saanich.ca/Tempest/LoginManager/Register.aspx . A MySaanich account is required to submit.

Who issues electrical and gas permits in Saanich?

Technical Safety BC issues BOTH electrical AND gas permits for Saanich. Saanich is NOT on the delegated-municipality list (confirmed against Technical Safety BC jurisdiction list), so the District does not run its own electrical or gas program. Contact Technical Safety BC at technicalsafetybc.ca / 1-866-566-7233.

How much does a building permit cost in Saanich?

Value-based application fee tiers plus a per-$1,000 permit fee (per Saanich Permit Fees schedule, updated Sept 2025): Application fee — <$15,000 = $100; $15,001–$100,000 = $300; $100,001–$500,000 = $1,000; $500,001–$2,000,000 = $3,000; $2,000,001–$10,000,000 = $7,500; over $10,000,000 = $15,000. Building permit fee — $100 minimum for value ≤ $1,000; ~$13.00 per $1,000 of value up to $499,999 and ~$10.00 per $1,000 above $500,000. Demolition application/permit fee $50. Surety deposits (e.g. new SFD/simple building $2,000; complex building $10,000; alteration/reno/demo $1,000). Alternative Solution review $550 initial / $250 each additional. Plus water/sewer connection charges. Fees vary by project, so confirm the current schedule with District of Saanich before budgeting.

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

District of Saanich asks for: Apply digitally through a MySaanich account (upload documents, pay fees online); Certificate of Title from the Land Title Office (identifies encumbrances against the property); Project-specific checklist package (New Build / Addition / Renovation / Deck / Demolition / Other); Agent Authorization Form where an agent/contractor applies on the owner's behalf; Arborist report where trees are affected (per Arborist Report Guidelines); Follow the Building Permit Document Guide for drawings and supporting documents; Demolition and plumbing work may be included within the building permit application (avoids separate permits).

Anything else to know about permits in Saanich?

Certificate of Title is mandatory. Plumbing and demolition can be rolled into the building permit, simplifying trade submissions. Arborist report may be triggered by Saanich's tree-protection rules. Development Permit applications are a separate planning stream — check whether a DP is required first. All electrical/gas is Technical Safety BC.

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 Saanich before you build.

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