Colwood building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Colwood you need a City building permit to build a new building or structure, or to alter, repair, move or demolish an existing one. Ordinary fences and low landscaping do not, but pool fences and retaining walls over 1.2 m do. Apply online or email building@colwood.ca.
Key facts
| Needed for | A building permit is needed to construct a new building or structure, or to alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair or relocate an existing one. A new deck, or structural changes to one, needs a permit. The bylaw also covers fences around swimming pools and retaining walls over 1.2 m high.Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 2.1.4; Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 1.1.3; Renovations and Additions, Decks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall construct a new building or structure, or alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair or relocate an existing building or structure unless a building permit authorizing the work has been the construction or alteration of a fence that encloses a swimming pool or pool ladder or access point retaining walls over 1.2 metres in height A building permit is required for a new deck or for structural alterations to an existing one. |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | No permit is needed to replace roofing materials. Bylaw 977 defines 'structure' to exclude landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures under 1.2 m high. The City's page says no permit for an accessory building under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard, or for concrete patios on grade.Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 2.1.4; Renovations and Additions, Accessory Buildings; Renovations and Additions, Decks · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbut no permit shall be required for the replacement of roofing materials excludes landscaping, fences, paving, and retaining structures less than 1.2 metres in height you are constructing an accessory building of less than 10m2 (108 ft2) in area and it does not create a hazard, a building permit is not required You must still ensure full compliance with Colwood's Land Use bylaw Concrete patios installed on grade do not require a permit. |
| How to apply | Complete the online Building Permit Application (agents acting for an owner use the Building Permit and Agent Authorization Form). Building staff can help: building@colwood.ca or 250-478-5999.Building Permits, How do I apply for a permit? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOpen the Building Permit Application. Follow the instructions on each form section and complete all applicable fields. If you are an agent acting on behalf of an owner please use this Building Permit and Agent Authorization Form. Get in touch with the Building Department at building@colwood.ca or phone 250-478-5999 |
| What to submit | Application form (fee slip is issued after you submit). Minimum: certificate of title dated within 14 days, copies of City charges, covenants and rights of way, and construction plans with site plan. Other items by project: letters of assurance, energy report, sewerage filing, tree permit. Decks and sheds: site plan and BC Land Survey.Renovations and Additions, Application Requirements; Building Permits, What Plans are needed for different projects?; Renovations and Additions, Accessory Buildings; Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 3.2.3.3; Building Permit Application Checklist, Minimum submission requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCompleted Building permit application Building Permit Fee will help you ensure you have all documents ready that will accompany the application In most cases, the owner is required to obtain a building permit prior to the construction of an accessory building, such as a shed or garage. If, however, you are constructing an accessory building of less than 10m2 (108 ft2) in area and it does not create a hazard, a building permit is not required. You must still ensure full compliance with Colwood's Land Use bylaw, such as setbacks to property line and lot coverage regulations. - Site Plan* - Roof Drawing - BC Land Survey - If you cannot locate the legal survey pins bounding your property, you may have to obtain a legal survey to identify the property and location of all existing and proposed buildings. - Example of Deck and Stair Details and Plan Requirements [PDF/398KB] - Site Plan* - BC Land Survey #### Accessory Buildings In most cases, the owner is required to obtain a building permit prior to the construction of an accessory building, such as a shed or garage. If, however, you are constructing an accessory building of less than 10m2 (108 ft2) in area and it does not create a hazard, a building permit is not required. You must still ensure full compliance with Colwood's Land Use bylaw, such as setbacks to property line and lot coverage regulations. include two sets of drawings for one or two family dwellings and four sets of drawings for all other projects Dated within 14 days of application submission Sealed/engineered pages combined with architectural pages Fee slip will be provided after application submitted |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The City's pages and bylaw do not state how long a permit takes. |
| Inspections | Email building@colwood.ca (or call 250-478-5999). The City's sheet says requests must be received by 4:00 p.m. the day before the inspection. Bylaw 977 s. 2.2.5 requires at least 24 hours' notice to the Chief Building Inspector for each required field inspection. Addresses must be posted.Building Permits, How do I book an inspection?; Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), s. 2.2.5; Required Inspections, Building Inspection sheet · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor more information on booking an inspection, please contact the Building Department at building@colwood.ca or call 250-478-5999. Every owner shall give at least 24 hours notice to the Chief Building Inspector and obtain a field inspection of the work after the forms for footings and foundations are constructed, but prior to placing of any concrete Inspection requests must be received by 4:00 pm, the day before you require the inspection PLEASE EMAIL building@colwood.ca for an inspection |
| Contact | Building Services (Building Department): building@colwood.ca, 250-478-5999. City Hall, 3300 Wishart Road.Contact Us, Building Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingContact Colwood Reception for General Enquiries and to be connected to City departments. ### Building Services Email: building@colwood.ca Phone: 250-478-5999 The Building Department works to protect people and property by ensuring that newly constructed and renovated buildings conform to codes and regulations. They provide permits, inspection services and advice on the City of Colwood Building Bylaw, BC Building Code and Land Use Bylaw issues. Read more about Building Permits and Inspections ### Visit us City of Colwood 3300 Wishart Road Victoria, BC V9C 1R1 (Get Directions) City Hall Hours of Operation: |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008 (consolidated to January 22, 2024)Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024), Whole bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw No. 977, 2008 A BYLAW FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE BUILDING CODE (With amendments to January 22, 2024) |
How it works
Building Bylaw 977 says a permit is needed to construct a new building or structure, or to alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair or relocate an existing one. A new deck, or structural changes to one, needs a permit. The bylaw also covers fences around swimming pools and retaining walls over 1.2 m high. Plumbing work needs a separate plumbing permit.
No permit is needed to replace roofing materials. The bylaw's definition of "structure" leaves out landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures under 1.2 m high. The City's Renovations page also says no permit is needed for an accessory building under 10 m² (108 ft²) that creates no hazard, or for concrete patios on grade. That 10 m² exemption is stated on the web page only, so confirm it with Building Services.
Steps
- Email building@colwood.ca or call 250-478-5999 if you are unsure which permits you need. Staff can help.
- Complete the online Building Permit Application. An agent acting for an owner also uses the Building Permit and Agent Authorization Form.
- Submit the minimum documents: a certificate of title dated within 14 days, copies of City charges, covenants and rights of way, and construction plans with a site plan. Some projects also need letters of assurance, an energy report, a sewerage filing or a tree permit.
- The City issues a fee slip after you submit. Pay the fees; the permit is issued once required fees are paid.
- Book inspections by emailing building@colwood.ca or calling 250-478-5999.
Good to know
- Inspection requests must reach the City by 4:00 p.m. the day before, according to its inspection sheet. The bylaw asks for at least 24 hours' notice to the Chief Building Inspector. Addresses must be posted.
- Other items may be needed depending on the job, such as septic approval from Island Health, a hazardous material report for homes built before 1990, or a development or variance permit.
- An incomplete application, or one whose permit fee is not paid within six months, is cancelled.
- Colwood's pages and bylaw do not state how long a permit takes. Ask Building Services.
What you'll need
- Completed Building Permit Application (an agent also needs the Building Permit and Agent Authorization Form)
- Certificate of title dated within 14 days
- Copies of City charges, covenants and rights of way on the title
- Construction plans with a site plan
- For decks and sheds, a site plan and a BC Land Survey
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Renovations and Additions, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Application Checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Required Inspections (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Contact Us, City of Colwood (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.