Building Permits - Commercial and Institutional

In some cases, a separate Development or Environmental Development Permit is required before a commercial building permit application can be submitted. Visit the Planning and Development webpage for more details.

The following circumstances will require a Development Permit:

1. All new Commercial Buildings.
2. If the proposed work includes a use that is subject to the Development Permit Area.
3. If the proposed work includes changes to the exterior building form and character.

The following circumstance will require an Environmental Development Permit:

1. Any construction within 15 m of the top of the bank of a watercourse. 

Commercial and Multi-Family Building Permit Application Form and Checklist (PDF)

Applicants must submit all necessary documentation at the time of submission. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

All commercial building permit applications, regardless of scope, must include the following items:

1. Commercial and Multi-Family Building Permit Application Form and Checklist (PDF)
2. Title search with copies of all covenants, easements, rights of way and any other encumbrances (not more than 30 days old).
3. Registered Owner’s Authorization Form (if applicant other than the registered owner)
4. Corporate search showing proof of signing authority
5. Letter from building owner or strata approving proposed alterations and changes
6. Completed Housing Form for Multi-Family Demolition Permit Applications (PDF) (required for Demolition Permit Applications involving demolition of existing multi-family and mixed-use residential dwelling units)
7. Completed Housing Form for Multi-Family Building Permit Applications (PDF) (required for Building Permit Applications involving new multi-family and mixed-use residential dwelling units)

Refer to the following checklists for required items pertaining to specific scopes of work. Please note, these are intended as guides and additional items may be required.

• Commercial – Tenant Improvement coming soon
• Major Projects Checklist (PDF)
• Commercial – Change of use coming soon

The District is accepting electronic applications only (hard copy applications may be requested depending on the scope of work and project size).

Documents and drawings must be formatted to the below requirements or they will not be accepted:

1. Documents and drawings are set to high resolution and legible.
2. All documents must be submitted in PDF format and to scale.
3. Plans/drawings with multiple pages must be combined into a single electronic document.
4. Documents and drawings must be saved individually by discipline. Do not combine.
5. Documents and drawings must be named accordingly.
6. Documents containing multiple layers must be flattened to a single layer.
7. File size must not be reduced.
8. Any document required to be sealed by registered professionals must be digitally sealed with an encrypted seal (Notarius software). Wet seals or photocopied seals and signatures will not be accepted.
9. Do not enable the “Certify” check box under “Advance Options” in the signature dialogue box when applying digital signature with the ConsignO software suite. This will prevent the District from applying subsequent stamps or seals.
10. File must be unsecured and not password protected.
11. If scanning hard copies, scan at 300 DPI, colour, PDF.
12. Do not photograph documents.

As of April 15, 2021 Applications must now be submitted using the Document Upload Centre. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

In order to use this service, you will require the following:

1. A valid email address.
2. All application forms, documents, and drawings required must be prepared as per our above requirements and ready for upload.
3. The person you have specified as the applicant on your application form must be the same individual making this online submission.

Ready to submit? Click on the link below

Document Upload Centre

Once you have completed your application request via the Document Upload Centre, District staff will pre-screen your submission to ensure that you have submitted all the required documents. You will be contacted within three to four business days from the time of your submission with further instructions.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.

If your application request is accepted, you will be required to pay an application fee. You will be contacted by a Building Clerk with an invoice and instruction for online payment.

For details regarding fees and charges, see the section below.

Visit the link below for details about fees for building permits and inspections.

View Fees and Charges

Visit the webpage below to for instructions on submitting additional documents and revisions.

Submitting Additional Documents and Revisions

Visit the webpage below to view building regulations, bylaws, and snow load information.

View Building Procedures and Bylaws

The BC Energy Step Code is a provincial standard that aims to create healthier, more energy-efficient and comfortable new buildings. It does so by establishing measurable performance-based energy-­efficiency requirements for new construction.

View Step Code

Visit the webpage below for a list of additional forms and documents.

View Additional Forms and Documents

Do you need a sign permit? 

Sign: Permits and Bylaw