Plumbing, Fire Sprinkler and Gas Inspections
FAQs
Plumbing | Fire Sprinkler | Gas
Plumbing
When do I need a plumbing permit?
Vancouver Building By-law 1B.1.2.1
No person shall construct, extend, alter, renew or repair a plumbing system or sprinkler system, or any part of either, prior to obtaining a permit. Except a permit is not required when a valve, faucet, service water heater is repaired or replaced, a stoppage is cleared or a leak is repaired provided no change to the other piping is required.
How long does it take to get a plumbing permit?
Except for projects requiring plumbing plan review, a plumbing permit would be issued once the plumbing permit application is submitted in person at city hall or by fax with fees paid.
Who can apply for a plumbing permit?
- License plumbing contractors with business licencse in the City of Vancouver.
- Homeowners of single family dwellings doing their own plumbing work to their own homes. Excludes single family homes with legalized secondary suites.
- License contractors with business license in the City of Vancouver could apply for plumbing permits for drainage work outside of the building. For example, plumbing permit for storm sumps, water service line to the building, perimeter drainage piping, exterior drainage piping.
At which stage of the plumbing project would I need to call for a plumbing inspection?
- Completion of rough in plumbing system for underground and/or above ground
- Completion of rough in tubs/shower installation and its plumbing system
- Completion of plumbing fixtures
How do I contact the plumbing inspector?
The Plumbing Inspectors District map would show the inspectors’ name and office phone number.
Where is the storm sump located on my property?
The City of Vancouver would only have information to where the storm sump is located for recently constructed commercial properties with engineer design plumbing drawings.
How do I know if the contractor has obtained a plumbing permit?
Every plumbing permit issued comes with a “job site copy” which is supposed to be posted to the premises of where the plumbing work relates to.
Where is the main water shut-off valve to my property?
City of Vancouver Waterworks Department (604.873.7357) would have this information.
Where do I find the sewer connection information to my property?
City of Vancouver Sewer Design (604.873.7357) would have this information.
Fire Sprinkler
When do I need a sprinkler permit?
Any alteration and/or installation of fire sprinkler systems.
Who can apply for a sprinkler permit?
Licensed sprinkler contractor with business license from the City of Vancouver. Homeowners may not apply for a sprinkler permit.
Gas
When do I need a gas permit?
- Regulated gas work to gas equipments or gas systems in a single family house that is serviced by a single gas meter with delivery pressure of 14.0 kPa(2 psi) or less.
- Regulated gas work in any premises other than a single family house with gas meter delivery pressure of 14.0 kPa (2 psi) or less and the total connected load is 120 kW (409,000 btuh) or less.
Who can apply for a gas permit?
- Licensed gas contractors with a business license from the City of Vancouver.
- Homeowners of single family house performing their own gas work to their own dwelling. Excludes single family houses with legal secondary suites and single family houses either as a whole or portion that is rented to any other person.
As a property owner, how do I know if the contractor doing the gas work has obtained a gas permit?
Every gas permit issued comes with a “job site copy” which is supposed to be posted to the premise of where the gas work relates to.
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