---
title: Esquimalt building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost in Esquimalt?"
place: Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/esquimalt
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Esquimalt
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Esquimalt building permit fees

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

**Short answer:** In Esquimalt a building permit costs $100 for work valued at $1,000 or less, plus $13 per $1,000 for the next $99,000, $11 per $1,000 for the next $400,000 and $9 per $1,000 above $500,000, under the Building Regulation Bylaw. Taxes apply.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Esquimalt, https://www.esquimalt.ca)  
**Cost:** $100 for work valued at $1,000 or less, plus per-$1,000 rates above that (Schedule A, Bylaw 2899). A separate Township fees PDF shows $50; confirm with the Township.  
**How long:** The permit fee must be paid in full before the permit is issued. No processing time is stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building permits and inspections, 250-414-7103
- Email: Building Inspection, building@esquimalt.ca
- In person: Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd, Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $100 for work valued at $1,000 or less (Schedule A, s. 3(1)(a)). Fees are subject to applicable taxes and rounded up to the nearest dollar. (Sources differ: Conflict: the Fees PDF on the Application & Permits page shows $50 (first $1,000 also $50, so every fee $50 lower: $100,000 job = $1,337), the consolidated bylaw (Nov. 2023) shows $100 ($1,387). Bylaw followed. The PDF may reflect a later amendment not in the consolidation.)
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Schedule A, s. 3(1)(a)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "(a) value of construction of $1,000.00 or less: $100" … "Fees under this Schedule are subject to applicable Taxes"
  - Source: [Building and plumbing fees, Schedule A, s. 3(1)(a) (website copy)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/docs/municipal-services/Development/Fees_-_Bldg_Plumbing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(a) value of construction of $1,000.00 or less: $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Based on the value of construction: $100 for the first $1,000, plus $13 per $1,000 (or part) for the next $99,000, plus $11 per $1,000 for the next $400,000, plus $9 per $1,000 over $500,000. Example in the bylaw: $100,000 job = $1,387. Value is the contract cost, or the applicant's estimate; a Building Official sets the final value.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Schedule A, s. 3](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "for next $99,000 plus $13 per $1,000" … "for next $400,000 plus $11 per $1,000" … "over $500,000 plus $9 per $1,000" … "The final value of construction shall be established by a Building Official." … "100,000 - 1,387.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** A plan-processing fee of 25% of the permit fee (minimum $50, maximum $2,000) is collected if a Building Official considers it advisable. It is non-refundable and credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Schedule A s. 1; s. 14.2](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "Plan-processing fee for any application for Permit: 25% of Permit Fee" … "Maximum plan-processing fee: $2,000" … "Minimum plan-processing fee: $50" … "the plan-processing fee is non-refundable and shall be credited against the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Demolition permit $200. Plumbing permit minimum $50 (fixtures $15 each for 1 to 10). Sign permit $50. Re-inspection $50 for each inspection after the second. After-hours inspection $90 an hour (1 hour minimum). Permit renewal 20% of the permit fee (min $50, max $500). Starting work without a permit adds a fee of 100% of the permit fee (150% if a stop-work order was issued). A $2,500 damage deposit is required when a building or demolition permit is issued (refundable; may be waived).
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Schedule A; s. 21.7](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fee for Permit to demolish, deconstruct or remove building or structure: $200" … "The minimum fee for a plumbing permit shall be $50" … "Sign Permit: $50" … "the fee for each inspection after the second inspection shall be: $50" … "shall be charged at: $90/hour" … "Permit renewal fee: 20% of Permit fee" … "shall pay an additional fee equal to 100% of the fee" … "a deposit of $2,500.00" … "is required for restoration of damage to any Township property or works"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The permit fee must be paid in full before the permit is issued. If a Building Official considers it advisable, a plan-processing fee accompanies the application.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 14.1, 14.2.1](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "a Permit fee, calculated in accordance with Schedule A, shall be paid in full prior to issuance of any Permit" … "shall accompany an application for a Permit" … "If in the opinion of a Building Official it is advisable for the Township to collect a" … "14.2.1 the appropriate plan-processing fee as set out in Schedule A shall"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899, Schedule A (Fees)
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Schedule A](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING REGULATION BYLAW, 2017, NO. 2899 SCHEDULE A"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Esquimalt sets building permit fees in Schedule A of the [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf). The fee is based on the value of the construction: the contract cost, or your estimate. A Building Official sets the final value. Fees are subject to applicable taxes and rounded up to the nearest dollar.

- $100 for the first $1,000 of value.
- Plus $13 per $1,000 (or part) for the next $99,000.
- Plus $11 per $1,000 for the next $400,000.
- Plus $9 per $1,000 over $500,000.

## Steps

1. Ask Building Inspection for your project's estimated value and fee.
2. If a Building Official considers it advisable, a plan-processing fee comes with the application (see below).
3. Pay the permit fee in full before the permit is issued. The bylaw and web pages read do not say how to pay (cash, card or online); ask when you call.

## Good to know

- Plan-processing fee: 25% of the permit fee (minimum $50, maximum $2,000). It is non-refundable and credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued.
- Other fees: demolition permit $200; plumbing permit minimum $50 (fixtures $15 each for 1 to 10); sign permit $50; re-inspection $50 for each inspection after the second; after-hours inspection $90 an hour (1 hour minimum); permit renewal 20% of the permit fee (minimum $50, maximum $500).
- Starting work without a permit adds a fee of 100% of the permit fee (150% if a stop-work order was issued).
- A $2,500 damage deposit is required when a building or demolition permit is issued. It is refundable and may be waived if damage is unlikely.
- The Township's separate Fees PDF shows $50 where the bylaw shows $100 for the first $1,000. This page follows the bylaw; confirm the current fee with Building Inspection.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf)
- [Building and plumbing fees (PDF)](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/docs/municipal-services/Development/Fees_-_Bldg_Plumbing.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Esquimalt building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite.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)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/bylaw-2899-building-regulation-bylaw-2017-consolidated-nov-6-2023pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building and plumbing fees (PDF), Township of Esquimalt](https://www.esquimalt.ca/sites/default/files/docs/municipal-services/Development/Fees_-_Bldg_Plumbing.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Township of Esquimalt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit-fees/_