---
title: Colwood building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Colwood, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/colwood
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Colwood
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Colwood building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** A City of Colwood building permit costs $50 for work worth $1,000 or less. Above that it is $50 for the first $1,000, plus $12 per $1,000 for the next $99,000, $10 per $1,000 for the next $400,000 and $8 per $1,000 after that. The fee doubles if work starts before the permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Colwood, https://www.colwood.ca)  
**Cost:** Based on construction value, under Appendix A (Scale of Fees) of Building Bylaw 977. A non-refundable application fee of $100 (value up to $200,000) is included in the permit fee.  
**How long:** The application fee is paid when you apply. If the permit fee is not paid within six months of the application, the application is cancelled.  
**Where:**
- Email: Building Services, building@colwood.ca
- Phone: Building Services, 250-478-5999

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $50, for a permit with a construction value of $1,000 or less.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A.1(a)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "For permits $1,000.00 or less in value $50.00"
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, A.1(a)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For permits $1,000.00 or less in value $50.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Based on construction value. Over $1,000: $50 for the first $1,000, plus $12 per $1,000 or part for the next $99,000, plus $10 per $1,000 or part for the next $400,000, plus $8 per $1,000 or part for the rest.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A.1(b)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "For permits in excess of $1,000.00, the fees shall be $50.00 for the first thousand, plus $12.00 per thousand or part for the next $99,000.00, plus $10.00 per thousand or part for the next $400,000.00, plus $8.00 per thousand, or part thereof, for the remainder."
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, A.2](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The value of construction means the total construction cost minus land, development cost charges, but includes all professional fees and taxes"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** Non-refundable, paid when you apply, and included in the building permit fee: $100 for construction value of $200,000 or less; $1,000 above $200,000. Part 3 buildings over $1,000,000: 50% of the permit fee.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A.1(e)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "Application Fee, non-refundable, included in Building Permit Fee" … "Permits with a construction value of $200,000 or less: $100.00" … "Permits with a construction value of more than $200,000 $1,000.00" … "Permits with construction value more than $1,000,000. = 50% of Permit Fee"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A.1](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "Application and review fees shall be paid at the time of Building Permit Application."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Demolition or removal permit $250 plus deposits. Plumbing $17 per fixture. Swimming pool and fence $100. Re-inspection $50. Damage deposit for a house $1,000 to $5,000 maximum, by curb, sidewalk, boulevard, streetlights and street trees. Fee doubles if work starts before a permit.
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, A.3](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The fee for a permit to demolish or remove a building from a lot shall be $250.00 plus deposits and fees as required."
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, B.1(a)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For each fixture $17.00"
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, A.1(i)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Swimming Pool, Pool and Fence $100.00"
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, D.3](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the fee for such subsequent inspection shall be $50.00"
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, A.5](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Curb and boulevard or less $1,000.00" … "MAXIMUM DEPOSIT - $5,000."
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A, D.1](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the fee payable as determined in the above scale of fees shall be doubled"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The application fee is paid when you apply; the City issues a fee slip after you submit. The permit is issued once required fees are paid. If the permit fee is not paid within six months of the application, the application is cancelled and the application fee is forfeited.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A.1](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "Application and review fees shall be paid at the time of Building Permit Application."
  - Source: [Renovations and Additions, Application Requirements](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/building/renovations-additions)
  - Official wording: "When the permit is ready and the required fees have been paid, the permit will be issued"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 3.2.5](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "where the permit fee has not been paid within six months after the date of the application, the application shall be cancelled and any application fee paid shall be forfeited"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application Checklist, Application submission](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/building_permit_application_checklist%202.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fee slip will be provided after application submitted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008, Appendix A (Scale of Fees), consolidated to January 22, 2024; also posted as 'Building Fees - Schedule A of the Building Bylaw'
  - Source: [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw, Appendix A](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 977" … "A. SCALE OF FEES - BUILDING PERMITS"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Appendix A, A](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)
  - Official wording: "SCALE OF FEES – BUILDING PERMITS"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The permit fee is based on the value of construction, which is the greater of the contract price or the Chief Building Inspector's value. For houses, Appendix A of [Building Bylaw 977](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164) sets values per square foot: for example $125 for finished floor area, $65 unfinished, $50 for an attached garage, $40 for a carport and $55 for a sundeck.

## Fees

- Value $1,000 or less: $50.
- Over $1,000: $50 for the first $1,000, plus $12 per $1,000 (or part) for the next $99,000, plus $10 per $1,000 (or part) for the next $400,000, plus $8 per $1,000 (or part) for the rest.
- Application fee, non-refundable, paid when you apply and included in the permit fee: $100 for construction value of $200,000 or less; $1,000 above $200,000. For Part 3 buildings over $1,000,000 it is 50% of the permit fee.
- Permit extension: $50 (value up to $50,000) or $100. Revisions: $50 or $100.
- Demolition or removal permit: $250 plus deposits.
- Plumbing: $17 per fixture.
- Swimming pool and fence: $100.
- Re-inspection: $50.
- Damage deposit for a house: $1,000 to $5,000 maximum, based on curb, sidewalk, boulevard, streetlights and street trees.

## Good to know

- The fee doubles if work starts before a permit is issued.
- The City issues a fee slip after you submit your application. The permit is issued once required fees are paid.
- The schedule also lists a 5% reduction when an engineer or architect certifies the application, and a 50% refund (not less than the application fee) if a permit is cancelled before work starts.
- Development cost charges are separate. Ask Building Services at building@colwood.ca.
- The documents we read do not say which payment methods the City accepts.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit fee schedule (Schedule A of Building Bylaw 977, PDF)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw 977 (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164)

## Related questions

- [Colwood building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Metchosin](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Building Fees, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/Building%20Fees%20-%20Schedule%20A%20of%20the%20Building%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024) (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Renovations and Additions, City of Colwood](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/building/renovations-additions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permit Application Checklist (PDF)](https://www.colwood.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/building_permit_application_checklist%202.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Colwood. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees/_