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

# Duncan 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 Duncan you need a building permit before you build a new home, renovate or add on, build an accessory building over 8 m², finish a basement or build a deck. Painting, flooring and cabinets do not. Call Development Services at 250-746-6126 if unsure.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Duncan, https://duncan.ca)  
**Cost:** Plan review fee plus building permit fee; see the building permit fees answer. Building without a permit costs double the permit fee.  
**How long:** The City's pages do not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: City Hall (Development Services), 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
- Phone: Development Services (Building Inspector), 250-746-6126
- Email: Development Services, developmentservices@duncan.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** Before you renovate or add on, build a new home, build an accessory building over 8 m², finish a basement, build or enclose porches and exterior decks, or build a pool, hot tub or spa deeper than 0.5 m. Also for pool fences, chimneys and woodstoves, plumbing changes, demolition or moving a building, substantial re-siding, and changing the size or placement of windows. Retaining walls over 1.2 m; fences over 2 m (rear/side) or 1.2 m (front setback) in single family areas.
  - Source: [Do I Need a Building Permit?, Do I Need a Building Permit? (list)](https://duncan.ca/download/do-i-need-a-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are required BEFORE you" … "Construct a new accessory building or" … "structure larger than 8m2" … "Construct, cover, or enclose porches" … "Place or construct a swimming pool" … "Construct retaining walls greater than 1.2 m in" … "Construct fences higher than 2 m in rear and side" … "yards or higher than 1.2 m in the front yard setback" … "Substantially re-siding an existing building" … "Alter or change the size or placement of existing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Minor non-structural work: cabinet replacement, painting (but a permit is required in the Downtown Development Permit Area), re-roofing with no structural work, same-size window replacement in single family homes, flooring, landscaping, minor siding repair, retaining walls under 1.2 m outside the Hazard Lands DPA, fences under 2 m (1.2 m in front setback) except pool fences, and accessory buildings of 8 m² or less within required setbacks.
  - Source: [Do I Need a Building Permit?, Do I Need a Building Permit? (not required)](https://duncan.ca/download/do-i-need-a-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are NOT required for minor non-structural modifications such as" … "Cabinet replacement" … "Painting (a Permit is required for the" … "Downtown Development Permit Area)" … "Construction of a new accessory building or" … "structure 8m2 or less within the required setbacks" … "except pool" … "fencing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the City's Building Permit application form and submit it with the required fees; fees are due when applying and incomplete applications are not accepted. A Development Permit may be needed first. Call the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) if unsure.
  - Source: [Building Permits & Inspection, Building Permits & Inspection page](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/building-permits-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "Development Permits need to be approved before the Building Permit can be issued" … "please contact the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) at 250-746-6126"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application, Application form](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-application-2/)
  - Official wording: "Fees are due at the time of application" … "INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** For a new building: application form, certificate of title, Authorization of Agent form, plan review fee, Homeowner Protection Office new home registration form, 2 sets of construction plans, structural, mechanical and plumbing plans, storm water plan, fire and site safety plan, geotechnical report, WorkSafeBC Notice of Project (checklist items vary by project).
  - Source: [New Building Application Requirements, New Building Application Requirements checklist](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-new-building-application-requirements/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit Application Form" … "Certificate of Title" … "Authorization of Agent Form" … "Plan Review Fee" … "Homeowner Protection Office - New Home Registration Form" … "2 sets of construction plans and materials specifications" … "WorkSafe BC Notice of Project"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The City's pages do not state how long a permit takes.
- **Inspections:** Not confirmed. The City's pages do not say how to book inspections.
- **Contact:** Development Services Department (Building Inspector): 250-746-6126, developmentservices@duncan.ca; 200 Craig Street, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1W3.
  - Source: [Building Permits & Inspection, Building Permits & Inspection page](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/building-permits-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "please contact the Development Services Department (Building Inspector) at 250-746-6126"
  - Source: [Do I Need a Building Permit?, Do I Need a Building Permit? footer](https://duncan.ca/download/do-i-need-a-building-permit/)
  - Official wording: "200 Craig Street, Duncan, B.C. V9L 1W3" … "E: developmentservices@duncan.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 3254, 2026
  - Source: [City of Duncan bylaws folder (Building Bylaw No. 3254, 2026), City bylaws folder listing](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37448)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 3254, 2026"
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A heading](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 3254, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Duncan issues building permits through its Development Services Department. The City's checklist says a permit is required before you start work. Depending on the property, a Development Permit may be needed first, and it must be approved before the building permit can be issued. The City's current [Building Bylaw No. 3254, 2026](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37448) could not be read for this answer, so it is not summarized here.

## Steps

1. Check the City's "Do I Need a Building Permit?" list, or phone 250-746-6126 to ask the Building Inspector.
2. Ask whether a Development Permit applies to your property.
3. Fill in the Building Permit Application and gather the plans and documents on the requirements list. For a new building these include a certificate of title, 2 sets of construction plans, a storm water plan, a geotechnical report and a WorkSafeBC Notice of Project; the list varies by project.
4. Submit the application with the fees. Fees are due when you apply, and incomplete applications are not accepted. The City's pages do not name an online portal; ask Development Services how to submit.
5. Processing time and how to book inspections are not stated on the City's pages. Ask Development Services.

## Good to know

- A permit is required before you renovate or add on, build a new home, build an accessory building over 8 m², finish a basement, build or enclose porches and exterior decks, or build a pool, hot tub or spa deeper than 0.5 m. It is also required for pool fences, chimneys and woodstoves, plumbing changes, demolition or moving a building, substantial re-siding, and changing window size or placement. The City's checklist lists more items.
- Retaining walls over 1.2 m need a permit. Fences over 2 m (rear and side) or 1.2 m (front setback) in single family areas do too.
- Not required: cabinet replacement, flooring, landscaping, minor siding repair, re-roofing with no structural work, same-size window replacement in single family homes, and accessory buildings of 8 m² or less within required setbacks. Painting needs a permit in the Downtown Development Permit Area.
- Building without a permit costs double the permit fee.
- Gas and electrical permits come from Technical Safety BC (1-866-566-7233), not the City.
- Work on a street, boulevard or lane needs a separate Work on City Property Permit.

## What you'll need

- Completed Building Permit Application
- Plans and information listed in the New Building Application Requirements, or the Tenant Improvement Application Checklist for commercial space
- Authorization of Agent form if you are applying for the owner

## Official forms and pages

- [Do I Need a Building Permit? (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/download/do-i-need-a-building-permit/)
- [Building Permit Application](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-application-2/)
- [Building Permit - New Building Application Requirements](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-new-building-application-requirements/)
- [Building Permit - Tenant Improvement Application Checklist](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-tenant-improvement-application-checklist/)
- [Building Permit - Fees and Charges (PDF)](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-application-processing-fees/)

## Related questions

- [Duncan building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Duncan permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Duncan fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/fence-rules.md)
- [Duncan secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/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)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits & Inspection, City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/planning-and-development/building-permits-inspection/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Do I Need a Building Permit? (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/download/do-i-need-a-building-permit/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permit Application (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-application-2/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [New Building Application Requirements (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/download/building-permit-new-building-application-requirements/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of Duncan bylaws folder (Building Bylaw No. 3254, 2026)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37448) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Duncan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/building-permit/_