Get a building permit

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  Digital submissions and enquiries

  Last updated: June 6, 2022

  Services Centre access

  Access to the Services Centre is for those with scheduled appointments or looking to provide payment. Requests for appointments can be made online.

  Digital submissions

  To help process your permit applications more quickly, some permit types have moved to a digital approach for submission, payments, and issuance.  Learn more about the requirements

  Contact the Business Licence Office for all licence applications, enquires, and payments.

  Enquiries

  • General enquiries: Phone 604-873-7611
  • Building, development, and application enquiries:
    • Use our online form and receive a tracking number, which you can use to get real-time status updates from 3-1-1.
    • We will aim to respond to all enquiries within 10 business days.

Steps to getting a building permit

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  Step 1: Determine if you need a separate development permit

  In the case of large scale projects, and/or where zoning relaxations or particular types of land uses are proposed, a separate development permit is required before a building permit application can be submitted. Please review the steps to getting a development permit.

  Review what you're obligated to do to contain the Japanese beetle. 

  Unsure on whether your project requires a separate development permit? Contact the Development and Building Services Centre.

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  Step 2: Submit application and pay fees

  A. Prepare your application package

  Refer to the application submission checklists and other resources needed to prepare your submission package. 

  B. Fill out and submit your application form

  1. Fill out the building permit application form  (258 KB). 
  2. Schedule an appointment to go over your submission by contacting the Development and Building Service Centre.

  Alert icon Our policy is to not accept applications that are incomplete and where fees are unpaid.

  C. Payment

  Once your application has been accepted for intake, we will contact you about payment.

  How to pay fees

  Pay fees:

  • Online by credit card (Important note Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
  • In person at West Annex, 515 W 10th Ave:
    • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
    • Closed on holidays
  • By mail at:
    Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    (Alert icon   Ensure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".)

  Important note There is a $200 maximum for cash payments

  D. Application reviewed

  Following a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents of your application by various staff teams, we will provide you with a list of any conditions and items to be addressed before a permit can be issued.

  Alert icon In certain cases, there may be different ways to meet the intent of the Vancouver Building By-law. Learn more about applying for an “alternative solution"

  E. Pick up your permit

  You will be notified by email or phone when the permit is ready for pickup. You can pick up your permit or refusal of permit at the Development and Building Services Centre.

  Permits or refusals are picked up at the ground floor, 515 W 10th during business hours:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
  • Closed on holidays
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  Step 3: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections

  Once your building permit has been issued, you can begin work and get the required trade permits and book inspections. It is important that you start work on your project within six months from the date of when your permit was issued; otherwise, your permit will become void.

  Alert icon We understand that certain parts of your project may change after work has started. Please contact the Development and Building Services Centre to have your changes approved on your permit (changes are subject to additional fees).

  Moving soil, green waste, or plant materials? Contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to get a Movement Certificate before moving soil, green waste, or plant materials outside of a regulated area to prevent the spread of the Japanese beetle. Learn more and find out how to contact the CFIA

  A. Apply for trade permits

  Most construction is likely to require separate trades permits, which are typically submitted by the trades contractor hired by the general contractor:

  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Gas
  • Fire sprinkler 
    (Alert icon Depending on the complexity of your project, you may be required to apply for a fire sprinkler permit before you can have a building permit issued to you.)

  B. Apply to use street and sidewalk during construction

  Most construction projects require permits to use City property such as streets, sidewalks, and laneways.

  You may be required to apply for one or more of the following:

  • Construction street use permit
  • Temporary street occupancy permit

  C. Request inspections

  All work completed will need to be inspected at various stages of construction.

  Get more information and book an inspection

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  Step 4: Occupy building(s)

  Even though the work under the building permit is considered complete when a final inspection has been passed, you may require an occupancy permit  to occupy the space in the building(s). 

  Learn more and apply for an occupancy permit

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