Cumberland building permits: when you need one and how to apply

Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

Cumberland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In the Village of Cumberland you need a building permit to build, alter, add to or demolish a building or structure, build a swimming pool, install a wood stove or do plumbing work. Small accessory buildings under 10.0 m² are exempt. Apply at the Village Office.

Key facts

Needed for	Building, alteration or addition to a building or structure (including accessory buildings), completing unfinished areas, a secondary suite, structural repairs, demolition, a swimming pool, heating appliances such as wood stoves, moving a building, change of occupancy, tenant improvements, plumbing work, and installing a manufactured home.Building and Plumbing Permits, Building and Plumbing Permits page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording construction of a building or a structure, including accessory structures and buildings construction of an secondary suite demolition of a structure or building or part of a structure construction of a swimming pool installation, repair or replacement of a plumbing fixture or system
Not needed for	The Building Bylaw does not apply to: accessory buildings under 10.0 m² that do not create a hazard; retaining structures under 1.2 m high; decks without roofs no more than 0.6 m above natural grade; poly greenhouses for agricultural production; low human occupancy farm buildings on farm-class land; fences up to 2.0 m. No plumbing permit for replacing a valve, faucet or fixture, clearing a stoppage or repairing a leak with no piping change.Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012, consolidated January 2020, Part C s. 2(b); definition of STRUCTURE; Building and Plumbing Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording accessory buildings less than 10.0metres² in building area that do not create a hazard; retaining structures less than 1.2metres (3.9feet) in height decks without roofs, the floor of which are not more than 0.6metres (2.0feet) fences equal to or less than 2.0metres (6.6feet) in height. A plumbing permit is not required for: plumbing works required to replace or repair a valve, faucet, or fixture, clear a stoppage, or repair a leak, provided no change in piping is required.
How to apply	Get the application at the Village Office or from the Village page and submit it at the Village Office, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (the page names no online building permit portal).Building and Plumbing Permits, Permit Applications and Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Copies of permit applications are available at the Village Office and/or can be accessed via the links below. You may submit permit applications at the Village Office during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What to submit	Complete the application form for the permit type (building, plumbing, agent authorization if an agent applies, hazardous materials declaration) with all information the form and Building Official require, and pay the non-refundable application fee. The required documents are set by the form, not listed in the bylaw.Building and Plumbing Permits, Permits and Forms; Fee Information; Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012, consolidated January 2020, Part C s. 6(a); Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1254, 2026, Building Amendment Bylaw 1254, s. 2(c)(xi) (new Part C s. 6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Authorization and Appointment of Agent A non-refundable building permit processing fee is required when you submit your application. a copy of the title search for the subject property dated within 10 days of a site drawing prepared by a BC Land Surveyor of the subject property completing the relevant application form as amended or updated from time to time providing all information required for the application as set out in this Bylaw paying the required permit application fee in accordance with
Processing time	Not confirmed. The Village does not state a processing time.
Inspections	Call 250-336-2291 or email info@cumberland.ca with your building permit number, at least 48 hours ahead. Inspections typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Building and Plumbing Permits, Building Inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Call 250-336-2291 or email info@cumberland.ca – with your building permit number – to book your building inspection. Please call at least 48 hours in advance to ensure that your inspection can be accommodated. Inspections typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Contact	Planner: planning@cumberland.ca or 250-336-2291. The Building Inspector may be available for code questions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.Building and Plumbing Permits, Building and Development Questions? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording please contact the Planner at planning@cumberland.ca or 250-336-2291. The Building Inspector may be available to answer inquiries relating the BC Building Code on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Bylaw	Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012, as amended by Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1254, 2026Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012, consolidated January 2020, Title page; Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1254, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Cumberland Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012 This Bylaw shall be cited as “Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1254, 2026”.

How it works

The Village of Cumberland requires a permit under Building Bylaw No. 949, as amended by Bylaw No. 1254, for building, altering or adding to a building or structure (including accessory buildings), completing unfinished areas, a secondary suite, structural repairs, demolition, a swimming pool, heating appliances such as wood stoves, moving a building, a change of occupancy, tenant improvements, plumbing work and installing a manufactured home.

The bylaw does not apply to: accessory buildings under 10.0 m² that create no hazard; retaining structures under 1.2 m high; roofless decks no more than 0.6 m above natural grade; poly greenhouses for agricultural production; low human occupancy farm buildings on farm-class land; and fences up to 2.0 m. A plumbing permit is not needed to replace a valve, faucet or fixture, clear a stoppage or fix a leak with no piping change.

Steps

Ask the Planner (planning@cumberland.ca or 250-336-2291) if you are unsure what your project needs.
Get the application form for your permit type (building or plumbing) at the Village Office or from the Village's Building and Plumbing Permits page. An agent applying for you also needs an agent authorization form, and a hazardous materials declaration is part of the application.
Fill in everything the form and the Building Official require.
Submit it at the Village Office, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the non-refundable application fee.
Request inspections by calling 250-336-2291 or emailing info@cumberland.ca with your permit number, at least 48 hours ahead. Inspections typically take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Good to know

The Building Inspector may be available for code questions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The provincial building code exemptions in Part 1 of the BC Building Code also apply.
Adding a dwelling unit may bring Amenity Cost Charges and Development Cost Charges.
The Village prefers an online portal for development permits, but that is separate from a building permit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Comox · Campbell River · Powell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

Building and Plumbing Permits, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
Building Bylaw No. 949, 2012, consolidated January 2020 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1254, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

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.