Renovate a house

Steps to renovating your home

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  Step 1: Review the regulations and requirements

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

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

  A. Determine if you require permit or other approvals for your renovation 

  You DON'T need a building or trade permit for	You DO need a building and trade permit for
  Replacing fixtures, cabinets, and flooring Painting the interior of your home Carrying out non-structural maintenance or minor repairs to the exterior of your home	Moving interior walls and partitions Moving existing plumbing, electrical, or gas lines Installing new plumbing, electrical, or gas lines Making structural repairs or changes that are specifically allowed by your zoning Creating new spaces (rooms, basements, attics, etc.) that are specifically allowed by your zoning Creating most new "hard" landscaping features, such as fences or retaining walls

  Unsure if you need a permit and/or approvals for your renovation?

  Contact the Development and Building Services Centre and describe your proposal.

  B. Research what is required in doing a home renovation

  • ​Review the energy requirements and available energy rebates for home renovations
  • If you are changing the exterior of your home and/or creating a new space:
    • Find out what zone your property is in
    • Know what is allowable for development in your zone: review the regulations for your zone

  Have you considered the benefits of retaining your character house?

  • Find out how you can retain your character house
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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: Submit application and pay fees

  A. Submit application

  Note To have your application accepted, provide all of the required drawings, documents, and application form.

  Before you begin your application, refer to the Addition and/or Renovation Permit Application Submission Checklist PDF file (178 KB). It will provide you with the required information needed to submit an application.

  1. Fill out the Development and/or Building Permit Application Form PDF file (399 KB)
  2. Submit application package 

  Need assistance? Refer to the building permit online account guide PDF file (4 MB)

  B. Application intake and pay fees

  When your application is reviewed and accepted, you will receive an email notification that the permit application fees and deposits (if applicable) 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".

  C. Application reviewed

  After a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents 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
  • Review how to address these items
  • Advise you of any payments related to Development Cost Levies (DCL), Development Cost Charges (DCC), damage deposit(s), and sewer and water servicing fees

  D. Field review inspection

  When the processing of your application is complete, you will be notified by email 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.

  E. Permit approved

  You'll be notified by email when your permit is issued with instructions to download and print your permit and approved drawings through your online permit account.

  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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