Bowen Island building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
On Bowen Island you need a Municipality building permit to build a new structure, demolish or alter one, or build an accessory building over 10 m², among other work. Email a complete PDF application to building@bimbc.ca or apply through the Province's Building Permit Hub.
Key facts
| Needed for | A permit is needed to build a new structure or building; demolish, alter or add to a structure; build an accessory building over 10 m²; build a deck more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade; install a swimming pool, rooftop solar panels or plumbing or electrical systems; build a retaining wall 1.5 m (5 ft) or higher; build moorage facilities; move a building to Bowen Island; or install a sea-can.Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 1; Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), s. 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBuilding a new structure or building Building an accessory building greater Building a deck more than 0.6m (2ft) Install rooftop solar panels A permit is required if work regulated under this bylaw is to be undertaken. |
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| Not needed for | Not covered by the bylaw: a fence (except retaining walls), an accessory building under 10 m², a trellis, arbour or soil-supporting wall under 1.5 m high. The guide adds day-to-day repairs and maintenance, renovations with no structural changes, and decks or patios less than 0.6 m (about 2 ft) above grade. These must still meet the Land Use Bylaw.Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), s. 3.3; Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 1-2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw does not apply to an accessory building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres a trellis, an arbour, a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.5 metres in height Day-to-day repairs and maintenance Decks or patios that are less than The above exemptions must still comply with the Land Use Bylaw |
| How to apply | Email a complete application in PDF format to building@bimbc.ca (attachments limited to 10 MB), or apply through the Province's Building Permit Hub using a BCeID or BC Services Card. An application fee is paid with the application.Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, How to Apply; Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Building Permit Hub; Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll applications are to be submitted in pdf format to building@bimbc.ca. Attachments are limited to 10 MB. Bowen Island Municipality has joined municipalities from across BC on the Building Permit Hub Log in with your BCeID or BC Services Card Building permits are subject to an application fee that must be submitted at the time of the |
| What to submit | A completed Building Permit Application form (its checklist lists what is needed), plus plans meeting the Minimum Requirements for Plans, a Certificate of Title and any easements or covenants. Needs vary by project; registered professionals (architect, engineer) may be needed.Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 2; Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Guide and Application Forms · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn application checklist is included in the Building Permit Application form and covers the Depending on the project, registered professionals like architects or engineers may be needed Minimum Requirements for Plans Submitted for a Building Permit Building Permit Application Form |
| Processing time | Current processing time for complete Building Permit applications is two to three months.Building Permit Application Guide, Bowen Island Municipality, Application guide, p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCurrent processing time for complete Building Permit applications is two to three months. |
| Inspections | The owner or agent books inspections by emailing building@bimbc.ca at least 24 hours before the requested date, with name and phone, address, type of inspection and permit number. The Building Inspector is available by appointment Tuesday and Thursday.Inspections and Occupancy, Bowen Island Municipality, How to Schedule an Inspection; Inspections and Occupancy, Bowen Island Municipality, Building Inspector Schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPlease email building@bimbc.ca to book your inspection at least 24 hours before your requested date of inspection. The Building Inspector is available by appointment on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. |
| Contact | Building Department: building@bimbc.ca, 604-947-4255 ext. 1.Sources differ: The Contact page, Building & Renovating page, guide page and inspections page give ext. 1 (inspections page has a typo 'ext. `1'); the Oct 2025 Hub news post says ext. 2. Page value used: ext. 1.Contact, Bowen Island Municipality, Staff contact information; Building & Renovating - Bowen Island Municipality, Building & Renovating page; Bowen Island Joins the Province’s Building Permit Hub - Bowen Island Municipality, News post, Oct 6, 2025 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFor building department related questions | Building Department | building@bimbc.ca | x1 Questions? Contact the Building Department at building@bimbc.ca or at 604-947-4255 ext. 1. please contact Bowen Island Municipality’s Building Department on 604-947-4255 ext. 2. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025; the library lists it as Consolidated May 2026).Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025), Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 489, 2019 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – November 24, 2025 |
How it works
Bowen Island Municipality's Building Department reviews applications against the Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 and the Land Use Bylaw, then inspects the work. The bylaw says a permit is required if work it regulates is to be done.
The Municipality's guide lists these as needing a permit: a new structure or building; demolishing, altering or adding to a structure; an accessory building over 10 m²; a deck more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade; a swimming pool; rooftop solar panels; plumbing or electrical systems; a retaining wall 1.5 m (5 ft) or higher; moorage facilities; moving a building to Bowen Island; and a sea-can. The list is not complete, so ask if you are unsure.
The bylaw does not cover a fence (retaining walls excepted), an accessory building under 10 m², a trellis, an arbour, or a wall holding soil under 1.5 m high. The guide adds day-to-day repairs, renovations with no structural changes, and decks or patios less than 0.6 m above grade. These must still meet the Land Use Bylaw.
Steps
- Check your project against the guide and call the Building Department (604-947-4255 ext. 1) if unsure.
- Gather the application form, plans, Certificate of Title and any easements or covenants. Needs vary by project.
- Email the complete application as a PDF to building@bimbc.ca, or apply through the Province's Building Permit Hub with a BCeID or BC Services Card.
- Pay the application fee with the application.
- Book inspections by emailing building@bimbc.ca at least 24 hours ahead, with your name and phone, address, inspection type and permit number. The Building Inspector is available by appointment on Tuesday and Thursday.
Good to know
- The Municipality's guide page says applications are digital PDF only and also promotes the Hub. It does not say which new permit types the Hub accepts yet.
- At exactly 10 m², the guide ("not more than 10 m²") and the bylaw ("less than 10 square metres") differ. Ask the Building Department.
- The Municipality posted a moratorium in 2022 on new permits needing a Snug Cove Sewer System connection; building on an approved septic field may still be considered. Ask the Building Department about your lot.
What you'll need
- Completed Building Permit Application form (its checklist lists what is needed)
- Plans that meet the Minimum Requirements for Plans
- Certificate of Title and any easements or covenants
- Reports from registered professionals (architect, engineer) where your project needs them
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
West Vancouver · Gibsons · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permit Applications Guide, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Permit Application Guide (PDF), Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Bylaw No. 489, 2019 (PDF, consolidated for convenience to November 24, 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
- Inspections and Occupancy, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Building & Renovating - Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
- Bowen Island Joins the Province’s Building Permit Hub - Bowen Island Municipality (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.