Campbell River building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Campbell River you need a City building permit before you build, repair, alter, move or demolish a building or structure, including a swimming pool or retaining wall, or before plumbing work. A detached building over 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs one. Apply by email and PDF upload.
Key facts
| Needed for | Before building, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a swimming pool or retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, plumbing, fire suppression or alarm work, siting a temporary building, building a masonry fireplace, or changing a building's use or occupancy. A detached building over 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs a permit.Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 11.1; Building Permits and Inspections, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingevery owner must apply for and obtain a permit, prior to constructing, repairing, altering a building or structure, including a swimming pool or retaining wall; demolishing a building or structure; constructing, or altering a plumbing system; You will require a permit if the structure will be more than 108 square feet (10 square metres). |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | Not covered by the Building Bylaw (s. 4.3): buildings the Building Code exempts; fences, trellises and arbours on single or two family parcels; retaining walls under 1.2 m not meant to carry extra loads; decks or patios under 600 mm, unattached, with no walls or roof; like-for-like repairs; replacing plumbing fixtures without moving lines.Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw does not apply to a fence, a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscape structures on a parcel zoned for less than 1.2 metres in height and is not intended to support decks or patios which surface is less than 600mm above the ground or finished grade, the replacement of plumbing fixtures (sinks, tubs, water closets, lavatories, showers (a) buildings or structures exempted by Division A, Part 1 of the Building Code except superimposed loads, unless failure would impact a structure or impact life |
| How to apply | Email building@campbellriver.ca with the civic address to ask for an upload link, then upload the application and documents (PDF only) and tell the Building Department when everything is uploaded. One Building Permit Application Form covers all project types.Digital Building Permit Application Procedure, Steps 1 and 2; Building Permits and Inspections, Building Permit Applications and Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSubmit an email to building@campbellriver.ca requesting a link to upload your application documents. notify building@campbellriver.ca once all required documents have been uploaded: ALL documents must be in PDF format. The streamlined building permit application process has one Building Permit Application Form that covers all building projects |
| What to submit | Completed application form; title search no older than 14 days; signed Damage to City Infrastructure Repair Agreement; signed Owner's Undertaking; residential warranty (HPO) confirmation or rental exemption; plans and documents listed in the City's Required Submissions bulletin for the building type. Incomplete submissions are returned.Digital Building Permit Application Procedure, Step 2; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 11.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCompleted application form. All Contact information and signatures required. Copy of recent title search (must be no older than 14 days) Confirmation of residential warranty coverage (HPO Approval) or Rental Exemption as applicable. Submissions that are incomplete will be returned and not retained on file Building Permit Applications for Simple Buildings include floor plans showing the dimensions, occupancy classification and uses of all |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The City's pages and the bylaw do not state how long a review takes. |
| Inspections | Book online 24/7 through the City's eInspections service once you have your permit number and have given the City a five-digit access code. The permit lists the required inspections. Simple buildings: at least 24 hours' notice per inspection. Complex buildings: at least 72 hours' notice for the occupancy inspection.Building Permits and Inspections, Building Inspections; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 11.32 and 11.36 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingschedule, reschedule, and cancel building inspections online 24/7 The required inspections for your permit will be listed on your Building Permit. For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 24 hours give at least 72 hours For all work in respect of simple buildings the owner must give at least 24 hours’ notice to the City 11.36 For work in respect of complex buildings, the owner must (c) give at least 72 hours’ notice to the City when requesting an occupancy but prior to |
| Contact | Building Department (Development Services), City of Campbell River: building@campbellriver.ca, 250-286-5757, 301 St. Ann's Road.Digital Building Permit Application Procedure, Further information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor further information contact the Building Department at Building@campbellriver.ca or 250-286-5757 301 St. Ann’s Road, Campbell River, BC V9W 4C7 |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 3899, 2023 |
How it works
The City of Campbell River's Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 says an owner must get a permit before building, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a swimming pool or retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, doing plumbing, fire suppression or alarm work, siting a temporary building, building a masonry fireplace, or changing a building's use or occupancy. A detached building over 10 m² (108 sq ft) needs a permit.
Not covered by the bylaw: fences, trellises and arbours on single or two family parcels, decks or patios under 600 mm that are unattached with no walls or roof, retaining walls under 1.2 m that carry no extra loads, like-for-like repairs, and swapping plumbing fixtures without moving lines.
Steps
- Email building@campbellriver.ca with your civic address and ask for an upload link.
- Upload the Building Permit Application Form (one form covers all project types) and your documents. Everything must be PDF.
- Email the Building Department when all documents are uploaded. Incomplete submissions are returned.
- Pay the permit fee and any other City fees before the permit is issued.
- Once you have a permit number and a five-digit access code, book inspections online through eInspections, 24 hours a day. The permit lists the required inspections.
Good to know
- Renovations and demolitions also need a Hazardous Materials Survey and Clearance Letter for buildings from before 1990.
- Simple buildings need at least 24 hours' notice for every inspection. For complex buildings the occupancy inspection needs at least 72 hours' notice.
- The City's pages and the bylaw do not state how long a review takes. Ask the Building Department.
What you'll need
- Completed Building Permit Application Form
- Title search no older than 14 days
- Signed Damage to City Infrastructure Repair Agreement and Owner's Undertaking
- Residential warranty (HPO) confirmation or rental exemption
- Plans and documents listed in the City's Required Submissions bulletin for your building type
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox · Powell River · Sayward · Gold River
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits and Inspections, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments) (read 2026-11-05)
- Digital Building Permit Application Procedure (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
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. How answers are checked.