Building permit (single family home)
When you need a building permit
You need to apply for a building permit if you want to:
- build a new house, garage, or carport
- alter an existing house or build an addition
- alter a property with heritage status
- create a secondary suite
- demolish a house
- install a swimming pool
- build a retaining wall higher than .91 metres (3 feet)
- build a shed or accessory building larger than 10 square metres (107 square feet)
When you do not need a building permit
You do not need a building permit if you want to:
- do non-structural maintenance or minor repairs
- replace fixtures, cabinets, or flooring
- build a shed that is 3 metres x 3 metres (10 feet x 10 feet) or smaller
- build a deck that is less than .6 metres (2 feet) off the ground
- build a fence
Learn the rules for single family home building
Zoning and building bylaws and other regulations guide home building in the District. Be sure you are familiar with what is and isn't allowed on your lot before you begin applying for permits.
Find out what you can build on your lot
Need help?
If you do not understand the requirements for your application, or need help interpreting the relevant building and zoning bylaws, contact us at 604-990-2480 or building@dnv.org. We can walk you through the process and requirements, and answer all of your questions. There may be fee for this service.
Application process
1. Complete a building permit requirements questionnaire and environmental soil permit application
This will help you understand the requirements you need to satisfy in order to get your building permit, and determine if you will need a separate environmental permit.
You will find the questionnaire and environmental permit application in the 'Requirements' tab.
If your property is within a development permit area, you will also be required to apply for a development permit. In most cases, you apply for the development permit before you apply for your building permit. See if you are in a development permit area.
2. Complete the building permit application form
Download the building permit application form
3. Schedule a required building permit intake to submit your application
Contact Development Services (building@dnv.org) to arrange submission of your completed master requirements questionnaire, environmental soil permit application form, and building permit application form, along with any supporting documentation that is required.
These application checklist outline the documents you are required to provide. Complete the appropriate checklist for your project and submit it with your application:
- New Construction Single Family
- Renovation / Addition
- Interior Renovation & Secondary Suite
- Coach House Single Family
- Swimming Pool / Accessory Building
- Retaining walls
Once your permit is reviewed for compliance and completeness, you will also need to pay 50% of the building permit fee, which is non-refundable.
4. Get your permit
The length of time it takes to receive your permit varies, depending on how many applications we are processing. Generally speaking, you should receive your new construction permit in approximately 12 to 16 weeks, provided the application you submit is complete and compliant, and we don't require additional information or further revisions from you.
Before you permit is issued, you are required to pay the remaining 50% of the permit fee, your security deposit, and other permit-related fees.
You must start work within six months of receiving your permit, and work must be completed within two years. You are also responsible for arranging for all of the necessary inspections.
Learn more about required inspections and how to request them
5. Apply for other permits you may require
Once your permit has been issued, you can apply for any other permits that you may need, including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas.
Requirements
Zoning regulations
Learn about building requirements in single family residential zones
Building regulation bylaw
Building permit requirements questionnaire
Download the complete building requirements questionnaire
List of individual requirements
These documents will help you complete the master requirements questionnaire. Whenever a question on the master questionnaire refers to an "MRL number" refer to the corresponding document in this list for further information.
Fees and securities
Fees you are required to pay
You are required to pay fees to get a new permit or renew an existing permit to build, alter, repair, remove, or demolish any building or structure regulated by the building code, with the exception of sprinkler systems.
When you apply for your permit, you pay 50% of the estimated permit fee, which is not refundable. All remaining fees — including securities — are payable when your permit is issued. A service clerk will contact you to let you know what your outstanding fees and securities are prior to issuing your permit.
How to pay your fees
Permit fees
Permit fees are payable by cheque, debit, cash Visa, and MasterCard.
Refundable securities
Refundable securities, such as building, environment, landscape, off-site, and certain driveway, concrete, connection, and site services, can be paid by cheque, debit, cash, or letter of credit (for amounts over $2,500). We do not accept credit cards for security deposits.
List of fees
Fees you may be required to pay are available in the fees and charges bylaw
Forms, schedules, bulletins
Bulletins
Forms
Guidelines and requirements
Get your work inspected
Much of the work you do with permits requires a follow-up inspection. It is your responsibility (or your contractor's) to arrange for all inspections at the right time.
You can request your building and mechanical inspections online (with the exception of electrical).
