Renovate a house

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.

Green home renovation rebates

Find available energy efficiency improvement rebates and top-ups for Vancouver residents.

Get a free Virtual Home Energy Check-up for your home

If you are looking to do a minor renovation or major renovation, such as a creating new space in your home, approvals will likely be needed to ensure your project meets current bylaws and regulations and ensure building safety.

Adding a secondary suite in your renovation? Find out more

Steps to renovating your home

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

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 at 604-873-7611 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

Step 2: Engage a designer and contact City staff
To ensure 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 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 (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
Step 3: Submit your permit application
You will be given direction on how to submit your permit application based on the review and advice provided to you from City staff under step 2.

Certain factors related to your site, City bylaws, or your proposal details may require different steps than the steps listed below.

A. Submit application

Before you begin your application, refer to the application submission checklist (178 KB). It will provide you with the required information needed to submit an application.

Submit application:
- Fill out a permit form (126 KB)
- Submit your application based on the direction provided to you by City staff
To have your application accepted, provide all of the required documentation and plans and have the permit fees paid.

B. Review application

Following a detailed review of the submitted plans and documents by various staff teams, we will:
- Provide you with a list of any items to be addressed before a permit can be issued
- Book a meeting with you to discuss and confirm how to address these items
- Issue your permit
Step 4: Begin construction, get trade permits, and book inspections
Once 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.

If you need to make any change to the work approved in the permit, please contact the Development and Building Services Centre. Changes must be reflected on the approved plans and are subject to additional fees.

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:
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
Step 5: Complete your home renovation