Renovate a home

Steps to renovating your home

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  Step 1: Review the regulations and requirements

  Before you start construction, check if you need a building permit and review the regulations and requirements for your renovation.

  A. Check if you need permits for your renovation 

  Renovation type	Permit(s) needed
  Create most new "hard" landscaping features, such as fences or retaining walls	Yes
  Create new spaces (rooms, basements, attics, etc.) that are specifically allowed by your zoning	Yes
  Do non-structural maintenance or minor repairs to the exterior of your home	No
  Install new plumbing, electrical, or gas lines	Yes
  Make structural repairs or changes that are specifically allowed by your zoning	Yes
  Move existing plumbing, electrical, or gas lines	Yes
  Move interior walls and partitions	Yes
  Paint the interior of your home	No
  Replace fixtures, cabinets, and flooring	No

  Need help? Contact the Development and Building Services Centre and describe your proposal.

  B. Check if your project is eligible for Residential Renovation Fast Track (RRFT)

  RRFT issues permits within one week for simple residential renovation projects under $250,000.

  Eligible types of residential dwelling:

  • Laneway house
  • Coach house
  • Townhouse
  • Single family house
  • Multiplex unit
  • Basement suite
  • Condos or rental apartment units

  Renovation type	Eligible for RRFT
  Add or legalize a secondary suite in an existing building	No
  Add to an existing building	No
  Relate to work without permit (WWOP) or similar enforcement cases	No
  Create extra storage	Yes
  Have a value of work exceeding $250,000 (these may require upgrading sewer, storm, or water services)	No
  Install solar panels	Yes
  Remove non-load bearing walls or add interior partitions	Yes
  Remove or abate hazardous materials	Yes
  Repair existing buildings, including decks, balcony or stairs	Yes
  Require review of on-site parking or tree retention	No
  Require structural alterations	No
  Update bathrooms and kitchens (including alterations to make a washroom more accessible)	Yes
  Update plumbing or electrical	Yes

  C. Research what is required in doing a home renovation

  • ​Review requirements:
    • Building energy
    • Removing soil to contain the spread of Japanese beetle.
  • If you are changing the exterior of your home and/or creating a new space:
    • Check what zone your property is in
      • Learn about zoning
    • Review zoning regulations about allowed developments
  • Consider incentives:
    • Retain your character home to qualify for building extra floor area, converting to multiple units, or building an infill house that can be strata-titled.
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  Step 2: Engage a designer and contact City staff

  To make sure that your project proceeds as smoothly as possible, it is important that certain details are reviewed and approved prior to proceeding with a formal application for a building permit.

  A. Create a plan and a budget

  Review the Canadian Homebuilders' Association's recommended steps External web site, opens in new tab to plan and budget your project.

  B. Engage a design professional

  Depending on the scale of your project, a renovation can be complicated. We recommend that you engage with a qualified design professional and/or contractor to navigate this process. View a sample of an acceptable drawing package PDF file (4 MB)

  C. Contact City staff

  Certain property attributes and regulations can add complexity to the standard approval process. City staff are available to answer questions and provide guidance on your proposal at any time.

  You may request feedback and guidance on your proposed renovation project by contacting the Development and Building Services Centre.

  D. Apply for a sewer and water line connection

  This permit is needed when you are building a new home, laneway house, or renovating an existing residential building.

  To have your proposal reviewed and approved, you must provide for a:

  • Renovation to an existing residential building:
    • A Fortis Gas servicing location diagram

  E. 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
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  Step 3: Prepare and send your permit application

  A. Prepare your application package of drawings and documents

  Gather all of the required drawings and documents in the Addition/Renovation Permit Application Submission Checklist PDF file (178 KB)..

  B. Complete the application form

  Development/Building Permit Application Form PDF file (340 KB)

  C. Send your application package and form

  Include the application form and all required drawings and documents so that we can accept your application.

  Send your application 

  D. Pay fees

  After we intake your application, we will notify you to pay the permit application fees and any deposits. Pay the fees online, in person, or by mail.

  • Online by credit card (Note Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
    • Need help? Refer to the building permit online account guide PDF file (4 MB).
  • 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
      Note There is a $200 maximum for cash payments.
  • By mail at:
    Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    Note Ensure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".

  E. We review your application

  Following a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents by various staff teams, we will notify you about:

  • A list of conditions and items to address before we can issue your permit(s)
  • Any payments to make for Development Cost Levies (DCL), Development Cost Charges (DCC), damage deposit(s), and sewer and water servicing fees

  F. Book a field review inspection

  When we finish processing your application, we will notify you to book your field review inspection. Learn more about inspections

  If the inspector approves the proposed work based on the findings of the inspection, your permit will be ready to be issued.

  G. We approve your permit

  When we issue your permit, we will send you an email with instructions to download and print your permit and approved drawings.

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

  Note 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.

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  Step 4: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections

  When your building permit has been approved and issued, you can begin work on your home renovation and get the required trade permits and book inspections.

  A. Apply for trade permits

  Most house renovations will require separate trades permits, which are typically submitted by the trades contractor hired by the general contractor:

  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Fire sprinkler
  • Gas

  B. Request inspections

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

  Get more information and book an inspection

  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

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  Step 5: Complete your home renovation

  Once a final inspection of the permitted work has been approved, we consider the project complete. 

  We do not require an occupancy permit for a single detached house, but you or your contractor may want to get an occupancy permit for other reasons.

  Learn more and apply for an occupancy permit

Steps to submitting an amendment to an issued building permit

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  Step 1: Submit building permit amendment request

  A. Fill out your amendment request form

  Refer to the amendment request form PDF file (48 KB) to find out what information to include with your amendment request.

  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 building permit online account guide PDF file (3 MB)

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  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 a list of any conditions and items to be addressed before an updated permit can be issued

  When all conditions have been met, you'll receive notification that the amendment fees are ready to be paid.

  How to pay fees

  • Online by credit card (Note Only the permit holder/applicant can make online payments toward a permit.)
  • 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
      Note There is a $200 maximum for cash payments.
  • By mail at:
    Development and Building Services Centre
    515 West 10th Avenue
    Vancouver, BC V5Z 4A8
    Note Make sure that the permit number is noted on the cheque and the payee is made out to "City of Vancouver".
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  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

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

  Note 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.

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