Home Renovations - Condominium Owners

Condominium and townhouse owners contemplating renovations or alterations to their unit need to comply with not only City by-laws, but their own, particular, Strata by-laws. For instance, the City does not require a permit to change your flooring from carpet to hardwood, but your Strata Council and the person living below you will want a say in what you’re planning. As well, you may meet all the City’s requirements to enclose a balcony or add a window, but your Strata by-laws may not allow any exterior alterations. So, for strata owners, reviewing your Strata by-laws is an essential step in planning your home renovations.

Once you’ve established your renovation plans aren’t going to cause a ruckus in your building, you need to determine what, if any, permits the City will require.

No permits are needed to:

• replace fixtures*, counter tops, cabinets and flooring, or
• paint the interior of your home.

*Except for gas fixtures, which always require a permit.

Building permits and applicable trade permits are needed to:

• remove and replace drywall (i.e. for tiling in bathroom or kitchen renovations)
• remove interior walls and partitions,
• construct a new interior wall or partition,
• relocate or install new electrical, gas and plumbing lines (including moving a kitchen sink or adding a dishwasher),
• remove a portion of a wall to install a door or create an archway,
• replace the drain, waste and vent piping or the water distribution system, and
• upgrade, replace or install a new fire alarm system or sprinkler system.

Both development and building permits, and applicable trade permits, are needed to:

• build an addition to increase floor area,
• build a new deck,
• create or enlarge a deck or patio area on an existing roof,
• roof over or enclose an existing patio or deck,
• add, remove or relocate a window, skylight or exterior door, and
• install a wood burning or gas fireplace that requires the installation of a chimney.

If you are in doubt as to what type of permit you need or why you need one, visit the Enquiry Centre in the East Wing of City Hall or call the Phone Centre at 604.873.7611 or 604.873.7613 for more information.

The majority of building permit applications for minor renovations to a strata unit can be processed as a Field Review application. See our submission requirements and checklists page for details. Please note that a letter from your Strata Council will be required for your application.

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Trade Permits – Condominium Owners

The only person who can apply for and be issued a permit to undertake trades work in any multi family dwelling, including single family homes with secondary suites, is a certified trades person. Homeowners of single detached one family dwellings, with no tenants, are the only homeowners who can take out trades permits for their own home renovation projects. All electrical, plumbing, gas and sprinkler work done in your building is required to be done by a licensed qualified trades person, whether it is you, your neighbour or the Strata Council who is undertaking a project.

Electrical Permits

An electrical permit is not required for the replacement of defective fuses, receptacles, switches and lamps with identical types and ratings.

As well, if the electrical work does not exceed $250.00 an electrical permit is not required; however, the electrical contractor is required to submit a declaration form to the City Electrician. The declaration goes into the City address file and becomes a permanent record of the work done in your suite or building. All work is required to be carried out by an Electrical Contractor, licensed by the City of Vancouver and employing Trade qualified Electricians registered with the Province of B.C.

Plumbing Permits

A plumbing permit is not required to repair or replace a valve, faucet, or fixture, as long as no changes are required to be made to existing piping. The repair of minor leaks or a blocked drain also does not require a Plumbing Permit.

A Plumbing Permit is required if you are:

• adding a fixture or fixtures
• installing a dishwasher (not required if replacing existing)
• repairing or replacing the drain, waste and vent system or the water distribution due to age or deterioration

A plumbing permit must be obtained prior to commencing the construction, extension, alteration, renewal or repair of the plumbing system in any building including condominiums, townhouses and apartments, whether strata titled or non-strata titled. Any work carried out on the plumbing system is required to be carried out by a Plumbing Contractor licensed by the City of Vancouver and employing Trade qualified Plumbers registered with the Province of B.C.

Gas Permits

A Gas Permit is required for the installation of all gas appliances. This applies to the replacement of the existing appliances as well as new installations. All work is required to be carried out by a Gas Contractor, licensed by the City of Vancouver and employing Trade qualified Gas Fitters registered with the Province of B.C.

Sprinkler Permits

If your building is sprinklered and you are doing work that requires a Building Permit, a Special Sprinkler Inspection will be required. Changes to an interior floor plan often require that sprinkler heads be relocated to ensure the sprinkler system functions correctly and protects you and your neighbours in the event of a fire. All work is required to be done by a Sprinkler Contractor licensed by the City of Vancouver and employing Trade qualified Sprinkler Fitters registered with the Province of BC.

Where to find us:

Vancouver City Hall East Wing (next to City Hall main building)
2nd Floor Enquiry Centre
2675 Yukon Street

Enquiry centre phone line: 604.873.7611 or 604.873.7613 - For general inquiries or to determine if you require a pre-application booking (and if so, to book your meeting request).

Parking is available at the base of the City Hall main building or below ground parking entered off Yukon Street just north of the Pavilion.

This is not a legal document. It departs from the necessary legal and technical terminology used in the Vancouver Charter and applicable City by-laws. Any contradiction, dispute or difference between the contents of this document and applicable City by-laws, plans, policies or guidelines will be resolved by reference to the by-laws or other official documents.

 

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