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Building and renovating

COVID-19 update

June 1, 2021: The Services Centre is open for scheduled appointments and payments only. All other enquires are available online, by phone, or email.

We continue to process and review applications to help ensure buildings and development can continue to operate, generate employment, and meet urgent housing needs. Inspections continue daily with enhanced safety precautions.

Wearing a mask is required if you need to visit City, Park Board, and library facilities.

  • General enquiries: Phone 604-873-7611
  • Building, development, and application enquiries:
    • Use our new online form and receive a tracking number, which you can use to get real-time status updates from 3-1-1.
    • Email permitquestions@vancouver.ca. Submissions received through email will take longer to process and will not receive a tracking number. Please do not send multiple emails. 
    • We will respond to all enquiries within 10 business days.

You may still need to submit physical drawings and plans for your project through our online form or email.

We are always working to make Vancouver's homes and buildings safer, healthier, and more accessible. We:

  • Work with the public to reduce the waste generated through building and renovating
  • Review permit applications, and enforce regulations in a fair and consistent manner
  • Work hard to decrease the length and complexity of the permit process by introducing online services and more efficient processes
  • Enforce procedures to protect historic buildings and our urban forest during development and renovations

When you need a permit

Not all projects need a permit, find out when you don't need a permit.

There are risks to not having a permit. You could face serious – and potentially costly – consequences.

Determine if you need a permit and view the risks of working without a permit 

Build or renovate a house

Review the steps to building or renovating a house, laneway house, or secondary suite.

Renovate a small business space

Find out how we can help small business owners plan a renovation, move, or start a business.

Apply for and manage permit

Review regulations and apply for the required permits for your construction or renovation project.

Forms, checklists, and bulletins

View and download the building or development permit application forms and submission requirements.

Inspections

Book or cancel an electrical, plumbing, building, fire sprinkler, gas, or sidewalk inspection for your construction or renovation project.

Get copies of building plans

Get building plans for work done under permits for most commercial buildings, condos, and one- and two-family dwellings constructed since 1979.

Request property research and copies of permits

Property research requests can be a formal letter that details information related to a property and/or copies of permitting related documents.

Concerns about construction work

Report concerns about construction work, such as unpermitted or messy and unsafe construction.

Contact the Development and Building Services Centre

Contact us online

Phone: 604-873-7611

Email: permitquestions@vancouver.ca 

Location and mailing address
Development and Building Services Centre
515 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8

Transit nearby

  • Broadway-City Hall SkyTrain Station
  • 99 B-line, #15, and #9 buses

Have you submitted an application online?

We want to hear from you.

Complete survey