{"title":"Belcarra building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Village of Belcarra","url":"https://belcarra.ca"},"short_answer":"In Belcarra you need a Village building permit to build, repair, alter, move or demolish a building or structure. Accessory buildings under 10 m² that meet zoning setbacks are exempt. Use the Building Permit Application Package and contact the Village Office at 604-937-4100.","aliases":["building permit belcarra","do i need a permit belcarra","apply for building permit belcarra","belcarra building department"],"cost":"Based on the value of the work, starting at a $102 application fee. See the building-permit-fees answer. Payment is by cash or cheque only.","how_long":"The bylaw and the application package do not state a processing time. An application expires 180 days after a complete application is received.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"4084 Bedwell Bay Road, Belcarra, BC V3H 4P8","note":"Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed statutory holidays)."},{"type":"phone","label":"Village Office","value":"604-937-4100"},{"type":"email","label":"Village Office","value":"belcarra@belcarra.ca"}],"documents":["3 copies of design drawings and 3 copies of site plans","Application fee","Proof of ownership (title dated within 30 days)","Sewage disposal approval and proof of potable water, where applicable","Letters of assurance","Homeowner Protection Certification, for new dwellings","Traffic Management Plan, for construction over $250,000"],"forms":[{"title":"Building Department, Village of Belcarra","url":"https://belcarra.ca/services/building-department/"},{"title":"Building Permit Application Package (PDF)","url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf"},{"title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF)","url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Belcarra building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Belcarra permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Belcarra fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Belcarra zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Belcarra secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"A permit is needed before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, moving one, demolishing one, building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney, installing a commercial cooking system or fire alarm, or changing a building's occupancy classification.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra","section":"s. 76","quotes":["before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure","before moving a building or structure","to demolish, before demolishing a building or structure","for a change of occupancy classification of a building or compartment within an existing building"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"The bylaw does not apply to a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw; an accessory building under 10 m², a trellis, an arbour or a retaining structure under 1.22 m high (on a parcel zoned for simple buildings, meeting setbacks); non-structural repair and maintenance; replacing hot water tanks, roofing or deck membranes, cabinets, floor coverings or cladding.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra","section":"s. 14","quotes":["This bylaw does not apply to","a fence permitted to be constructed under the Village","an accessory building with a floor area less than 10 square metres, a trellis, an arbour, a retaining structure less than 1.22 metres height","non-structural repair and maintenance of lawfully conforming structures in all zones","replacement of hot water tanks"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Use the Building Permit Application Package from the Building Department page. Contact the Building Department at 604-937-4100 or belcarra@belcarra.ca (Village Office, 4084 Bedwell Bay Road). Payment is by cash or cheque only, payable to the Village of Belcarra. The package does not say how to submit.","short":"Paper package; submission method not stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/services/building-department/","title":"Building Department, Village of Belcarra","section":"Building Department page","quotes":["or call 604-937-4100 to connect with someone from the Building Department"]},{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Package 2024 (PDF), Village of Belcarra","section":"Application checklist and Schedule A","quotes":["Payment is to be made by cash or cheque only, payable to the Village of Belcarra.","Tel: 604-937-4100/ Fax: 604-939-5034/ belcarra@belcarra.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"3 copies of design drawings and 3 copies of site plans; the application fee; proof of ownership (title dated within 30 days); sewage disposal approval and proof of potable water where applicable; letters of assurance; Homeowner Protection Certification for new dwellings; a Traffic Management Plan for construction over $250,000.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Package 2024 (PDF), Village of Belcarra","section":"Checklist items 1-16","quotes":["3 copies of design drawings including any structural drawings.","3 copies of site plans.","Proof of Ownership (Certificate of Title). Must be dated within 30 days of application.","Copies of required Letters of Assurance.","Traffic Management Plan (for construction over $250,000.)","Homeowner Protection Certification (new dwellings)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The Village does not state how long a permit takes.","sources":[]},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"For simple buildings, the owner must give at least 2 business days notice when requesting an inspection. For complex buildings, at least 3 business days notice for a pre-construction meeting and a pre-occupancy site review.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra","section":"ss. 108, 112","quotes":["For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 2 business days notice to the Village when requesting an inspection","give at least 3 business days notice to the Village when requesting a pre- construction meeting with the building official prior to the start of construction"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Building Department, Village of Belcarra: 604-937-4100 or belcarra@belcarra.ca, 4084 Bedwell Bay Road.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/services/building-department/","title":"Building Department, Village of Belcarra","section":"Building Department page","quotes":["or call 604-937-4100 to connect with someone from the Building Department"]},{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Package 2024 (PDF), Village of Belcarra","section":"Schedule A header","quotes":["Tel: 604-937-4100/ Fax: 604-939-5034/ belcarra@belcarra.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Village of Belcarra Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra","section":"title page","quotes":["BUILDING AND PLUMBING CODE REGULATION BYLAW No. 355, 2003"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Village of Belcarra's Building Department reviews applications under the [Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf). A permit is needed before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, moving or demolishing one, building a masonry fireplace, installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney, installing a commercial cooking system or fire alarm, or changing a building's occupancy classification.\n\nThe bylaw does not apply to a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, non-structural repair and maintenance, or replacing hot water tanks, roofing, deck membranes, cabinets, floor coverings or cladding. On a parcel zoned for simple buildings it also excludes an accessory building under 10 m², a trellis, an arbour or a retaining structure under 1.22 m high, if they meet setbacks.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Contact the Building Department at 604-937-4100 or belcarra@belcarra.ca to confirm what your project needs.\n2. Fill in the [Building Permit Application Package](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf) and gather the items on its checklist, including 3 copies of drawings and site plans and a title dated within 30 days.\n3. Add sewage disposal approval and proof of potable water where they apply. Work within 30 m of a watercourse or the intertidal zone may need environmental reviews.\n4. Pay by cash or cheque payable to the Village of Belcarra. The permit fee is due before the permit is issued; the security deposit is due with the application.\n5. Request inspections as the work proceeds.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- For simple buildings, give at least 2 business days notice when requesting an inspection. For complex buildings, give at least 3 business days notice for a pre-construction meeting and a pre-occupancy site review.\n- The package does not say whether it can be submitted by email, or how to book inspections. Phone the Village Office.","sources":[{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/services/building-department/","title":"Building Department, Village of Belcarra","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/07/Building-Permit-Application-Package-2024.pdf","title":"Building Permit Application Package 2024 (PDF), Village of Belcarra","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/09/Bylaw-355-Building-and-Plumbing-Regulation-Consolidated.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Code Regulation Bylaw No. 355, 2003 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit.json"}}