---
title: "Delta building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Delta, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/delta
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Delta
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/building-permit.json"
---

# Delta building permits: when you need one and how to apply

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Delta you need a building permit to build, add to, renovate, finish a basement, move or demolish a building, or build a pool or retaining wall 1.2 m or higher. Apply online through Delta Online. The Application Centre at 604-946-3380 can advise first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Delta, https://www.delta.ca)  
**Cost:** An application fee is paid online when you apply; the permit fee follows. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The City does not state a review time on the pages we read.  
**Where:**
- Online: Delta Online (MyCity account), https://deltaonline.ca/
- Email: Application Centre, development@delta.ca
- Phone: Application Centre, 604-946-3380
- In person: City Hall, Development Department, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC V4K 3E2

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A new principal or accessory building (including a coach house or garden suite), additions, alterations, renovations and repairs, finishing an unfinished area such as a basement, a secondary suite, moving or demolishing a building, in-ground pools, hot tubs or fishponds 450 mm deep or more, retaining walls 1.2 m or higher, and installing a chimney.
  - Source: [Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page, 'When is a Building Permit Required?'](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required to do any of the following:" … "Construct a new principal building;" … "Construct a new accessory building (including a coach house or garden suite)" … "Complete an unfinished area in an existing building; e.g.: basement" … "Construct a secondary suite" … "Construct a retaining wall equal to or greater than 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in height" … "Install a chimney"
  - Source: [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, s. 5.1](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;" … "a demolition permit before demolishing a building or structure;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Minor work such as cupboards, planters, partial-height room dividers, painting, landscaping including patios and decks less than 600 mm above grade, sidewalks and driveways, fences, roofing repair or replacement, and exterior finish repair. One accessory building under 10 m² needs no permit unless it has operating mechanical equipment. Work must still meet zoning and the BC Building Code.
  - Source: [Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page, 'When is a Building Permit not Required?'](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is not required for minor modifications such as:" … "Landscaping, including patios and decks less than 600 mm (1 ft 11 in) above grade" … "Roofing repair or replacement" … "One accessory building with a floor area less than 10 m2 (107.6 ft2) does not require a permit, unless it contains operating mechanical equipment." … "owners are responsible to ensure that the work conforms to the requirements of the BC Building Code and Delta Zoning Bylaw"
  - Source: [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, s. 2.3, 2.4](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)
  - Official wording: "The provisions of this Bylaw do not apply to retaining structures less than 1.2 metres in height" … "The provisions of this Bylaw do not apply to fences except as provided in Section 19 - Swimming Pools."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Online through Delta Online (deltaonline.ca) with a MyCity account. Step 1: complete the application and pay the application fee. Step 2: upload plans to the ePlan portal and submit for review. Paper and email applications are no longer accepted for these residential permits.
  - Source: [eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit](https://www.delta.ca/media/570)
  - Official wording: "Delta has a two-step online process to submit your Building Permit application." … "paper and email applications are no longer accepted" … "Complete the application on DeltaOnline and pay your application fee." … "Upload the required plans to our ePlan portal and"
  - Source: [How to Apply, How to Apply page, Building Permits](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/how-apply)
  - Official wording: "Applications must be submitted on Delta Online through Delta's online application system."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** It depends on the project. Every application states the work's estimated market value. Bylaw 8065 requires a title search within 30 days, site plans, floor plans, sections and elevations. Delta's eApply guides also need Schedule 2 (Owner's Undertaking) and Schedule 3 (Owner Authorization) signed by all owners.
  - Source: [eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit, eApply Guide, Step 1 tips](https://www.delta.ca/media/570)
  - Official wording: "The Schedule 2 (Owner's Undertaking) and Schedule 3" … "(Owner Authorization) must be signed by all owners listed"
  - Source: [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, s. 5.4, 6.1](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)
  - Official wording: "Each application shall state the estimated market value of the proposed construction." … "include a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of the application;" … "include floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas;" … "include a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of the" … "include elevations of all sides of the building or structure showing" … "Each application shall state the estimated market value of the proposed"
  - Source: [Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page, Submission Requirements](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
  - Official wording: "The building permit application requirements depend on the nature and scope of the proposed work."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The City does not state a review time.
- **Inspections:** Book online through eInspections up to five days in advance; you can cancel or reschedule until 8 a.m. on the day. The owner must get an inspection and acceptance before concealing certain work, such as foundation forms and drains.
  - Source: [Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page, Inspections](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
  - Official wording: "Inspections can be requested online up to five days in advance using eInspections, and can be cancelled or rescheduled up until 8 am on the day of the inspection."
  - Source: [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, s. 15.4](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)
  - Official wording: "shall schedule inspections using the system established by the Building Official" … "the foundation and footing forms, after a British Columbia Land Surveyor certificate has been received and before concrete is"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Application Centre, Development Department, City of Delta: 604-946-3380 or development@delta.ca. City Hall is at 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta BC V4K 3E2.
  - Source: [Building & Renovating, Building & Renovating page](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
  - Official wording: "Application Centre at 604-946-3380 or development@delta.ca"
  - Source: [eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit, eApply Guide, contact box](https://www.delta.ca/media/570)
  - Official wording: "Development Department City of Delta" … "4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent Delta BC V4K 3E2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 (Sources differ: The City's bylaw list page still shows the building bylaw as #6060, and the 2024 Fees Bylaw also names No. 6060, 2002. Bylaw 8065 (adopted January 2022) says it repeals and replaces No. 6060, and the City's land-use page links to 8065. Used 8065; the Chief Building Official can confirm.)
  - Source: [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021, title page and s. 28.1](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)
  - Official wording: "Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021" … "“Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 6060, 2002” is hereby repealed and replaced by this Bylaw."
  - Source: [City bylaws list, City bylaws list page](https://www.delta.ca/city-hall/bylaws)
  - Official wording: "Building and Plumbing Regulations Bylaw #6060"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Delta's [Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/) sets when a permit is required. Separate plumbing, demolition and fireplace or chimney permits also exist. Work must meet zoning and the BC Building Code whether or not a permit is needed.

A permit is needed for a new principal or accessory building (including a coach house or garden suite), additions, alterations, renovations and repairs, finishing an unfinished area such as a basement, a secondary suite, moving or demolishing a building, in-ground pools, hot tubs or fishponds 450 mm deep or more, retaining walls 1.2 m or higher, and installing a chimney.

## Steps

1. Check the lists on this page, or call the Application Centre (604-946-3380, development@delta.ca) if unsure.
2. Gather what your project needs. The bylaw asks for a title search made within 30 days, site plans, floor plans, sections and elevations. The City's online guides also need Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 signed by all owners. Per-project checklists are on the City's Residential and Non-Residential pages.
3. Apply through Delta Online (deltaonline.ca) with a MyCity account. Step 1: complete the application and pay the application fee. Step 2: upload plans to the ePlan portal and submit for review.
4. Book inspections on eInspections, up to five days ahead. You can cancel or reschedule until 8 a.m. on the day.

## Good to know

- No permit is needed for minor work such as cupboards, planters, partial-height room dividers, painting, landscaping including patios and decks less than 600 mm above grade, sidewalks, driveways, fences, roofing repair or replacement, and exterior finish repair.
- One accessory building under 10 m² needs no permit unless it has operating mechanical equipment.
- Retaining walls on designated steep-slope properties need a permit at any height, per the City's page.
- Paper and email applications are no longer accepted for these residential permits. The How to Apply page says plans that are not electronically sealed must be delivered in hard copy to City Hall for some other permits, so confirm with the Application Centre.
- Concealed work, such as foundation forms and drains, must be inspected and accepted before it is covered. The first inspection is free; re-inspections are charged.
- The City's bylaws list still shows the old Bylaw 6060; Bylaw 8065 replaced it.

## What you'll need

- Title search made within 30 days, site plans, floor plans, sections and elevations (Bylaw 8065)
- Owner's Undertaking (Schedule 2) and Owner Authorization (Schedule 3), signed by all owners, for the City's online guides
- Digitally sealed drawings and reports from any engineer, surveyor or other professional

## Official forms and pages

- [Building & Renovating, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating)
- [How to Apply, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/how-apply)
- [Residential building permit requirements](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating/residential)
- [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/)

## Related questions

- [Delta permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Delta fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/fence-rules.md)
- [Delta building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Delta secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/building-permit.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/building-permit.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building & Renovating, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/building-renovating) (read 2026-11-05)
- [How to Apply, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/building-development/how-apply) (read 2026-11-05)
- [eApply Guide, Residential Detached Accessory Building Permit (PDF), City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/media/570) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Delta Building/Plumbing Bylaw No. 8065, 2021 (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/210036/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City bylaws list, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/city-hall/bylaws) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Delta. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/building-permit/_