Get a water and sewer connection permit

A water and sewer connection permit allows you to connect your new property with the City's water, sanitary, and stormwater sewer services.

When you need the permit

This permit is needed when you are building a new home or any other type of building, or renovating an existing building.

Building a house or laneway house? Houses or laneway houses go through a different application process for commercial water and sewer permits. Review what is required

Steps to getting a commercial water and sewer connection permit

Step 1: Apply for a development permit
Make an initial development permit application with the Development and Building Services Centre.

As part of your development permit review, you will receive:
- Comments from the Waterworks and Sewer Design Branches indicating some initial site-specific feedback for servicing your lot
- Instructions for your mechanical engineer to contact the Water and Sewer Design Branches to apply for water and sewer connection permits. Each permit has its own separate application process. Proposed servicing applications with site plans and drawings must be submitted to each branch independently.
On-going communication is common between your mechanical consultant and the Waterworks and Sewer Design Branches before deciding the location for your water and sewer connections.
Step 2: Review required supporting documentation for a sanitary sewer permit and water service connection permit
For storm and sanitary sewer permits

The City requires:
1. Mechanical plans that are prepared, signed, and sealed by your mechanical consultant
2. A completed commercial sewer site details form (50 KB)
The mechanical design should show:
1. The proposed invert elevation of both the sanitary and storm lines at the property line in geodetic datum. The inverts of both pipes must be the same with a typical orientation of the sanitary service being to the left of the storm service when facing the property from the City sewer mains.
2. The proposed property line offset from the nearest property line, such as distance in metres east of west
3. The proposed pipe sizes for both the sanitary and storm line
4. The pipes should be spaced no more than 0.45 m apart centre to centre unless the City requires the installation of a new manhole
5. All non-City services must be installed a minimum of 1.52 m from all proposed City services
6. All proposed non-City services should be shown on your plan
The mechanical plan must also state:

"The City of Vancouver shall provide sanitary and storm connections to the property line. Prior to installation of the drainage/plumbing systems, the contractor must confirm sewer locations, invert elevations, and restrictions as stated on the Application for Public Sewer Connection. Failure to do so may cause delays and additional costs. Contact the City of Vancouver Sewers and Drainage Design office through a citizen service representative at 3-1-1 for assistance."

For water service connection permits

To avoid any servicing delays, have your mechanical engineer apply for a commercial water permit to confirm the water servicing details, before obtaining the building permit.

A water connection permit application should be submitted to the Waterworks Design Branch for review prior to obtaining a building permit. Plan review by the Permits and Licenses Department does not cover the Engineering Department’s requirements for obtaining water service. Water Design Branch requirements for water servicing includes both on-street and on-site plumbing details which must conform to the Water Works Bylaw 4848.

Find detailed procedures for applying for a water connection permit, including submittal requirements and examples:
- Water connection permitting procedure and submittal requirements (530 KB)
Step 3: Apply for a water and sewer connection permit
Follow this process for each required permit.
1. Submit your development permit application to the Development and Building Services Centre.
2. You will receive request letters from the Waterworks and Sewer Design Branches requiring you to apply for a separate commercial water permit and commercial sewer permit.
3. Have your mechanical designer contact the assigned water design and sewer design staff members indicated in your letters to submit separate permit applications.
4. City staff review the proposed service locations and configuration, and provide feedback based on City standards to determine the optimal siting for the sanitary, storm, and water connections to your property.
5. When an agreed-upon location and configuration is determined, you will receive a letter of approval by email.
6. Submit signed and sealed final drawings to confirm the location and configuration before the permit is issued.
7. When your drawings are reviewed and accepted, you will receive an email that your permit is ready to pay for.
8. Pay fees in person at Engineering Client Services (see contact on this page). When payment is received and all conditions are satisfied, your permit will be issued by email.
Installation of water and sewer connections is scheduled only after your permit fee is received. Installation can take up to eight weeks based on crew work volume and scheduling.