Building Permits & Inspections

COVID-19 Updates

To learn more about closures and our response to COVID-19, and for updates on District operations, visit westvancouver.ca/covid.

Types of permits and services

Follow the links below to find the types of permits required for building or renovating a property and learn about the application process.

Important updates

BC Energy Step Code will be effective February 28, 2021, visit westvancouver.ca/step
The District has adopted a Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Area. To determine whether this will impact your building permit application, visit westvancouver.ca/wildfire-dpa.
In response to COVID-19, we are not accepting paper applications and paper documents at this time. We are still open for business and here to accept new applications and documents for existing applications electronically. Applicants must submit all necessary documentation, similar to in-person permit application submissions. All fees may be paid online.

Building Permits - Single Family & Duplex

Everything you need to know to apply for your single family building permit including checklists, a step by step guide and link to the Document Upload Centre. More Information

Building Permits - Multi-Family Dwelling

Everything you need to know to apply for your multi-family dwelling permit including checklists, a step by step guide and link to the Document Upload Centre. More Information

Building Permits - Commercial & Institutional

Everything you need to know to apply for your commercial builiding permit including checklists, a step by step guide and link to the Document Upload Centre. More Information

Submitting additional documents and revisions

Everything you need to know to submit additional documents and revisions for existing applications. More Information

Mechanical Permits

Mechanical permits include: plumbing, drainage, hot-water heating, sprinkling. More Information

All electrical permits must be taken out on your behalf by a provincially-qualified contractor, unless you can demonstrate to the electrical inspector that you have the knowledge and skills to do the work. More Information

Book inspections

Once your permit has been issued and work done, you will need an inspection. More Information

Property information

We can help you with address changes, ordering house plans, rights of ways, underground oil tanks and more. More Information

regulations & fees

The application fee for building permits is 50 per cent of the permit fee, and is not refundable. More Information

reports & stats

Permit statistical reports are updated during the first week of the following month. More Information

Contact

We are still open for business and here to accept new applications and documents for existing applications electronically.

Permits & Inspections Department

Staff are here to assist you by phone, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

604-925-7040

For general inquiries:

[email protected]

Staff Contacts

Construction Noise

Permitted times for construction

As per the Noise Control Bylaw, there are permitted times for construction noise.

Weekdays | 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sundays & holidays | at no time

Noise Control Bylaw

Other permits

Lawn sprinkling permits are approved only for newly seeded or turfed lawns, or to allow extra lawn irrigation during nematode application for pest management.

Sprinkling Permit

A street occupancy permit is required whenever any portion of municipal property (i.e. boulevard, sidewalk, roadway or public lane) is temporarily occupied.

Street Occupancy Permit