Get a plumbing or gas permit

Steps to getting a gas or plumbing permit

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  Step 1: Determine if you can apply for a permit

  You must have a valid City of Vancouver or inter-municipal business licence and be a licensed:

  • Plumbing contractor to apply for a plumbing permit
  • Gas contractor to apply for a gas permit

  Get a business licence

  Exception to being a licensed plumbing or gas contractor

  You do not need to be licensed plumbing or gas contractor if you are doing gas or plumbing work on a detached single-family home if all of the following are true:

  • You own, and currently reside in the home
  • The home does not contain a secondary suite
  • No part of the home is rented to another person
  • You will be doing all of the gas or plumbing work yourself
  • You are knowledgeable about this type of work

  When you need to apply for a gas permit with Technical Safety BC

  The approving authority for your work may either be Technical Safety BC or the City depending on the scope of your work.

  You must apply for a gas permit with Technical Safety BC when either, the:

  • Gas meter delivery pressure exceeds 14.0 kPA (2psig), or
  • Total connected load on an individual commercial* meter is greater than 120kW

  In all other cases, a gas permit application should be made to the City. 

  *We inspect all residential meters regardless of the load.

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  Step 2:  Apply for a permit and pay fees

  A. Review fees

  Fees will be payable at the time of permit submission: 

  • View the schedule of fees and permits PDF file (791 KB)

  B. Submit forms and pay fees 

  Please note:

  • All trades permit applications are processed in the order they are received
  • We aim to process applications (that do not require a review of plans) within five business days

  Submit and pay fees:

  1. Register for an online account (If you don't have an account.)
  2. Submit your application
  3. Pay fees

  Register and submit application

  Need to withdraw your permit?

  To withdraw a permit:

  1. Log into your online account
  2. Select the permit you want to withdraw
  3. Select “withdraw permit” under the permit you want to change
  4. Permit will automatically be withdrawn

  Application fee refund

  Information icon You may get a partial application fee refund when you withdraw your permit application (if the fee is refundable in its applicable by-law). Please note that an $85 administration fee will be required to process your refund request. 

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  Step 3:  Receive your permit and begin work

   If your project requires a building permit, a plumbing and/or gas permit(s) will not be issued until after your building permit has been issued. 

  Once your permit is issued:

  • You will receive an email notification that it has been issued
  • You are able to begin work

  All work must be inspected to have your permit finalized.

  Book an inspection

  Does your plumbing permit include the installation or replacement of backflow prevention assemblies? Learn about submitting backflow assembly test reports

  For newly installed backflow preventers, complete the test report form PDF file (1.8 MB) and email it to BSI Online at backflow@bsionline.ca at no cost.

  Need to make a change to your issued permit?

  We understand that things change and that you may need to make changes to the scope of your permit after it has been issued.

  To request a change to an issued permit:

  1. Log into your online account
  2. Select the permit you want to change
  3. Select “request amendment” under the permit you want to change

Resources

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  Quick links

  • Register for an account, submit applications, view the status of applications, and book an inspection with the online permit and licences portal.
  • Find out more information about inspections, like how to book or cancel an appointment, fees, and different types of inspections.
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  Bulletins and advisories

  Our bulletins and advisories can help you understand building and electrical bylaws. They also explain building, technical, and administrative regulations and processes.

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  Sewer connection placards

  All sewer and storm inspections require a connection placard to be clearly visible and attached to the stakes that identify the capped end of each connection.

  Download a sewer connection placard PDF file (128 KB)

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