Certified Professional Program

The Certified Professional (CP) program facilitates the issuance of building permits for new or existing buildings by allowing certified professionals to take on the full review and inspection role on behalf of the City.

Under the CP permit process, permit issuance can be staged, allowing construction to start earlier than otherwise – an advantage to building owners wanting to expedite their projects.

What's on this page:

Vancouver Building By-law forms
Resources
Permit process
Advisory group
Contacts

Review the steps to the permit process and an amendment request before submitting an application.

Under the Certification of Professionals By-law (120 KB), we can issue a building permit on the certification of a recognized registered professional architect or engineer.

CPs don't replace registered professionals normally involved in a construction project but rather provide an additional level of Building By-law review traditionally carried out by City staff.

Streamline building permits
Reduce wait times: We are making changes to speed up permitting and reduce wait times. Learn about changes to building

To help improve permit processing times, new developments who require excavation and shoring may be eligible to receive their building permit in advance of their development permit.

Eligible projects include those providing:
- Social housing or secured market rental housing
- Cultural and recreational uses such as an artist studio, community centre or neighbourhood house, library, museum or archive, and park or playground;
- Institutional uses
You must submit a building permit application under the Certified Professional Program. Contact your Development Permit Project Facilitator for more information and applicable conditions.

You may be required to submit a letter of credit to cover the cost associated with backfilling the excavated sties.

New electronic applications

Our new electronic applications allows you to submit permit applications electronically and perform other functions digitally. Currently, some permits can be submitted online and may include the payment of fees. We’re working on adding more permits online over time. Refer to your specific permit's steps for more information.

Learn more about submitting your permit application electronically

Permit process

Step 1: Review application process and prepare application package
A. Review the building permit review process for CP projects
- New and existing buildings permit review process flowchart (110 KB)
B. Prepare your application package

All required City approvals, such as the development permit, must be in place prior to issuance of particular stages.

Before you begin your application:
- Refer to the Certified Professional Program – Building Permit Application Submission List (296) to find out what drawings, forms, and documents you need to submit an application
- Fill out the Certified Professional Building Permit Application Form (267 KB)
Step 2: Submit permit and pay fees
A. Submit application

Include your application package with your submission

Register and submit application

Need assistance? Refer to the CP Building Permit Online Application Guide (4.7 MB)

B. Application intake and pay fees

When your application is reviewed and accepted, you will receive an email that the permit application fees are ready to be paid.

How to pay fees
- Online by credit card ( Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
- By e-transfer (For information on e-transfer payments, email: cp.process@vancouver.ca)
- In-person at the Development and Building Services Centre, 515 W 10th Ave:
  - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
    Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30am to 4pm
    Closed on holidays
    There is a $200 maximum for cash payments.
- By mail at:
  - Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    Ensure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".
C. Application reviewed

Following an intake meeting with your project coordinator and detailed reviews of the submitted plans and documents by various staff teams, we will provide you with a list of any conditions and items to address before a permit can be issued.

D. Permit approved

You will be notified by email when your permit is issued with instructions to download and print your permit and approved drawings.

One printed copy of the City-approved permit needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors.

One paper set of City-approved drawings (full-sized and to scale), displaying the City accepted stamp, needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors. If the City accepted stamp is missing, or the paper set isn’t at the jobsite, you will be required to reschedule your inspection and may be subject to a re-inspection fee.
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 for the applicable stage of your building permit 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 be voided.

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:
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

A permit to use City property such as streets, sidewalks and laneways is required on most construction projects.

City staff will advise you when one or more of the following permits is needed:
- 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
Step 4: Occupy building(s)

Steps to submitting an amendment to an issued building permit

Step 1: Submit building permit amendment request
A. Fill out form

Complete the authorized staged construction form (159 KB).

B. Submit your request
1. Log into your online account.
2. Select the permit you want to submit an amendment for.
3. Select the "Request Amendment" as the next action on the permit overview page.
4. Provide a detailed description of the amendment request and uploading any supporting documents, including your amendment request form.
Need assistance? Refer to the CP Building Permit Online Application Guide (4.7 MB)
Step 2: Request is reviewed, and next steps provided
Following a detailed review of the amendment request, we will:
- Ask additional questions, and/or
- Provide you with a list of any conditions and items to be addressed before an updated permit can be issued
Step 3: Amendment issued
When your amendment is issued, you:
- Will be notified by email with instructions to download and print your permit and approved drawings
- Are able to begin the work defined in the permit
One printed copy of the City-approved permit needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors.

One paper set of City-approved drawings (full-sized and to scale), displaying the City accepted stamp, needs to be made available for viewing at the jobsite for City inspectors. If the City accepted stamp is missing, or the paper set isn’t at the jobsite, you will be required to reschedule your inspection and may be subject to a re-inspection fee.

Forms

2019 Vancouver Building By-law
Certified Professional letters (effective January 1, 2015)
Letters of assurance
Building permit application stage
Building construction stage
- Monthly progress report (120 KB)
Building occupancy stage
Other forms
2014 Vancouver Building By-law
Certified Professional letters (effective January 1, 2015)
Letters of Assurance
- Schedule A (111 KB)
- Schedule B (64 KB) - revision effective January 1, 2018
- Schedule C-A (75 KB) - revision effective January 1, 2018
- Schedule C-B (120 KB)
- Schedule D-1 (26 KB)
- Schedule D-2 (41 KB)
- Schedule E-1: Owner's Undertaking Letter (110 KB)
- Schedule E-2: Owner's Undertaking Letter for tenant improvements (96 KB)
- Schedule E-3: Tenant's Undertaking Letter for tenant improvements (90 KB)
Building permit application stage
Building construction stage
- Monthly progress report (120 KB)
Building occupancy stage
- Final design drawings checklist (140 KB)
- Occupancy permit submission documents checklist (216 KB)
- Permit fee refund request form (download where applicable) (144 KB)
Other forms
2007 Vancouver Building By-law
Certified Professional letters
Letters of assurance
- Schedule A (175 KB)
- Schedule B-1 and B-2 (400 KB)
- Schedule C-A (110 KB)
- Schedule C-B (160 KB)
- Schedule D-1 (120 KB)
- Schedule D-2 (160 KB)
- Outright development / building permit application form (1 and 2) ()
- Owner's/Lessee’s undertaking letter (325 KB) (for tenant improvements [TIPS] applications)
- Owner's undertaking letter (300 KB)
Building permit application stage
Building construction stage
- Monthly progress report (120 KB)
Building occupancy stage
- Final design drawings checklist (140 KB)
- Occupancy permit submission documents checklist (180 KB)
Other forms

Resources

Newsletters
2023

June 2023

Certified Professional newsletter (282 KB)
- Certified Professional permit fee refunds
- Code compliance documentation reminders
- Digital submission reminders
- Alternative solution coordination
- Waiver of smoke dampers
- Garage security provisions
- Sprinkler protection of mobile racking and shelving systems
- Transformer clearance requirements
- Fire alarm operation sequencing
- Third party review and EMTC
- Sprinkler-based alternative solutions
- Changes to the Plumbing By-law
- The next Vancouver Building By-law
2022

April 2022

Certified Professional newsletter (474 KB)
- Introducing new Deputy Chief Building Official
- Goodbye from Hollie
- Service centre
- Save the date – CP Seminar on June 3, 2022
- Amendments to VBBL 2019
- Mechanical Permits – New requirement
- Need to find DP number for your application
- Direct connection of residential suites to storage garages in multi-family residential buildings
- Reiteration of the CP’s role in code compliance
- Guide to letters of assurance
- BP before DP
- Gentle reminders
- POSSE FYI
- New AHJs to CP program
2021

December 21

Certified Professionals newsletter (247 KB)
- Updates to CP webpage
- Engineering reminder
- Operating permits (water systems)
- Energy updates
- VBBL 2019 online consolidated version will be available for January 4, 2022
- Part 11 upgrade triggers January 2022 updates
- New form and electronic review process for Vancouver Coastal Health
- New form – Overhead Di-electric Filled Transformers
- Reminder – DP numbers
August 13

Certified Professionals newsletter (375 KB)
- New Chief Building Official
- Service centre update
- Certified professional advisory group
- Rainwater management
- Amendments to the Vancouver Building By-law (Books I & II)
- Hot water storage and recirculation advisory
- Cooling towers advisory
- Building water system operator certification advisory
- Streets and Traffic By-law and proposed insurance coverage for builders update
- Engineering sewer and water connection ePlan update
- Collection, retention, and infiltration of surface water
- Environmental services update
- Fire safety plans update
- Electrical clearance forms
- Address assignment for FD response points or secondary doors
- Full structural permit staging
2020

September 22

Certified Professionals newsletter (356 KB)
- Fast track to the future
- CP committee
- New CP webpage
- VBBL2019
- Gentle reminders
- Fall City of Vancouver CP seminar
- Payments by e-transfer
- Legionella prevention
- POSSE enhancement
- CP course 2021 announcement
- Bulletins
- Congratulations to all the new CPs from the 2020 class
- COVID process changes
- Engineering information pertaining to clearances
2019

December 18

Certified Professionals newsletter (116 KB)
- Environmental Branch reviews
- DCC worksheet
- VBBL 2019 forms
- VBBL 2019 order printed version information
- Refund on CP permits fees
- Reminder on BP application forms
- CP Course reimbursement cost
- Bulletins update
August 19

Certified Professionals newsletter (232 KB)
- Announcement of Oct 24, 2019 for the CP VBBL 2019 Code and Process Update Seminar
- Announcement of New VBBL 2019
- Generic Alternative Solutions bulletin 2019-005-BU
- CP Bylaw was Amended (By-Law 12513)
- New Energy Requirements
- Demolition Permits AND Abandoned Sites
- CP Refunds
- Revisions
- Existing Buildings
- Alternative Solutions
- Monthly Progress Reports and Coordinated Final Inspections
- Updated Forms for New By-law
- Broadway Subway Extension Project
- Japanese Beetle Update
- Congratulations to all the new CPs from the 2019 class
- Certified Professional Course 2020
2018

December 15

Certified Professionals newsletter (191 KB)
- Winter updates
- Environmental Branch reviews
- Pre-app meetings
- Scope of work
- Monthly progress reports
- Code compliance drawings and reports
- Two copies of code compliance drawings
- BC Hydro checklist
- Who is the “owner”
- ASHRAE 90.1 and NECB 2015
- CP First Tenant Improvement application projects
- Clarification of CPs signatures when away on holidays
- Reminder
- Consolidate VBBL 2014 amendments
- View the CP first tenant improvement decision tree for use of CP-3 (392 KB)
August 15

Certified Professionals newsletter (224 KB)
- Summer updates
- Japanese beetles
- Millennium Line Broadway Extension (580 KB)
- Digital submission of final design drawings
- Addressing clearance
- Staging of permits
- Code compliance drawings and reports
- Two copies of code compliance drawings
- Roof hatches
- Tenant Improvement permits – Registered Professionals
- City of Vancouver Energy Modelling guidelines
- New energy requirements (Rezoning and Bylaw)
- Passive House projects
- Professional practice guidelines for Energy Modelling (AIBC and EGBC)
- Updated forms – occupancy checklist revised – attachment 11 of CP manual (216 KB)
- Existing fire alarm systems and elevator recall
- Reminder
January 18

Certified Professionals newsletter (172 KB)
- We are on the move: Engineering and Environment departments moving and what to do
- Dropping off your drawings and documents at City departments
- Change of professionals on projects
- Permit numbers
- Trade permits as subjobs
- POSSE uploads
- Design changes during the course of construction
- Bylaw amendments for March 1, 2018
- Sprinkler permits – the owner’s certificate form
- Upcoming Advance Code Knowledge course Feb 2018 at AIBC
2017

August 16

Certified Professionals newsletter (154 KB)
- Updated forms
- Bylaw amendments effective May 1, 2018 have been approved
- New updates will be coming to CP Manual
- Announcements of new Certified Professionals
- Upcoming 2018 Advance Code Knowledge course
- Announcement of upcoming CP seminar in October
- CP refunds/withdrawals/cancellations
- Demolition and abatement process
- CP emails
- Indemnity statement on CP permit application form
- CP 2017 course manual on USB stick available for purchase
- Partial occupancy permits
- Crane swing encroachment and neighbour notification
- Reminders
- Deck design
- Wired glass
- Gender neutral washrooms
2016

December 23

Certified Professionals newsletter (268 KB)
- Change of name for our department
- Updated forms
- Bylaw amendments
- TIPS Program
- Sprinkler installations without permit
- Fee payment and Posse
- Fire Alarm permits and CP projects
- Electrical Plan Examiner's Transmittal form
- Electronic seals
- New course at BCIT
- Part 9 Buildings using the CP program
- Schedule CP-3
- CP 2017 Course manual available for purchase
- CP Training for online submissions user manual
August 15

Certified Professionals newsletter (277 KB)
- CP Seminar - October 31, 2016, 8:00am – 12:30pm
- Bylaw revisions/New bulletins
  - Proposed VBBL Housekeeping and Energy Efficiency amendments (493 KB)
- Newsletters are now on the website
- New CP permit application form attached and on website
- Occupancy permits
- Permit refunds
- Work without permit
- Adjacent neighbour notification
- Zoning and development clearance for tenant improvements
- Sprinklers
- Fee payment and POSSE
- Trades permits and CP projects
- New website for passive house
- Processing times - reminder
- Request for coordinated site inspection
- New course at BCIT
- TIPs (Tenant Improvement Permit system)
- Accessibility component of your reviews
March 11

Certified Professionals newsletter (180 KB)
- ASHRAE/Energy checklist training videos
- Alternative solutions
- City review groups
- Reminder about work without permit
- Water treatment devices: protection from contamination
- Part 11 buildings and the CP Program
- Part 9 buildings and the CP Program
- TIPS (tenant improvement permit system) and field reviews
2015

November 2

Certified Professionals newsletter (110 KB)
- CP Manual of Practice has been updated
- Announcement of bulletin to the floor and suite number changes
- Link announcement for the 2014 Vancouver Building Plans Examination Checklist
Guides and bulletins
- Bulletin and K1, K2, and K3 documents for kitchen ventilation systems (commercial-type cooking operations) (925 KB)
- Clearances from the existing BC Hydro high-voltage overhead conductors and transformers
  - Bulletin and checklist (2014 VBBL) (114 KB)
- CP Permit Online Application Guide (4.7 MB)
- Guide to the Certified Professional Program (872 KB)
  - There is a separate CP manual for CP work using the BC Building Code
- Current VBBL2014 bylaw amendments
- Electrical plan review with electrical plan examiner's transmittal form (Bulletin 2001-008-BU/EL)
  - Transmittal form (2014 VBBL) (144 KB)
- Generic Alternative Solution for Advance use with VBBL2019 (108 KB)
- CP Final Design Drawings Submission Guide (1.5 MB)
- New - updated K2 (July 2016) form (196 KB)
Presentations
CP seminar December 7, 2023
CP seminar November 3, 2022
CP seminar November 4, 2021
CP seminar October 29, 2020
CP seminar October 24, 2019
- CP seminar slide presentation - update (October 24, 2019) (7 MB)
- Andrew Harmsworth Mass Timber presentation to CP group (October 24, 2019) (12 MB)
CP seminar October 25, 2017
- CP seminar slide presentation (October 25, 2017) (11 MB)
- Tavis McAuley presentation on Combustible Exterior Wall (2.34 MB)
Webpages

Certified Professional Advisory Group

The advisory group organizes the Certified Professional Education Program and sets the course outline and curriculum in collaboration with the City of Vancouver.

Roles and membership
The committee provides comments to the Chief Building Official (CBO) of the City of Vancouver on the following:
- Certified Professional Program procedures
- Certified Professional checklist
- Certified Professional Manual of Practice
- Other relevant documents
The committee advises the CBO on questions relating to the Practice Standards for Certified Professionals

Membership

The committee includes members from:
- Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia
- Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC)
- Building Officials Association of BC (BOABC)
- City of Vancouver
- City of Surrey
- City of Abbotsford
- District of West Vancouver
The committee meets once per month.

Contact the committee

Kai Mikkelsen | P.Eng., MASc, CP
Email: kai@tccp.ca
Phone: 604-442-6903

Become a CP

To be recognized as a CP, you need to pass the CP course and meet the requirements of the CP By-law.

The CP course is offered on a regular basis. Check for upcoming dates at:

Questions about the course or program

Contact the Certified Professional Program Manager:

Anja Slusarzick-Seibt
Architect AIBC, CP, CPHD/Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Phone: 604-305-2714
Email: aslusarzickseibt@aibc.ca

Contact a CP

Did you find what you're looking for?

Certified Professional Program

Streamline building permits

New electronic applications

Permit process

Step 1: Review application process and prepare application package

Step 2: Submit permit and pay fees

Step 3: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections

Step 4: Occupy building(s)

Steps to submitting an amendment to an issued building permit

Step 1: Submit building permit amendment request

Step 2: Request is reviewed, and next steps provided

Step 3: Amendment issued

Forms

2019 Vancouver Building By-law

2014 Vancouver Building By-law

2007 Vancouver Building By-law

Resources

Newsletters

Guides and bulletins

Presentations

Webpages

Certified Professional Advisory Group

Roles and membership

Become a CP

Questions about the course or program

Contact a CP

Did you find what you're looking for?

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies