Esquimalt building permit fees

How much does a building permit cost in Esquimalt?

Esquimalt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

How it works

Esquimalt sets building permit fees in Schedule A of the Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899. 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.