Esquimalt building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit in Esquimalt, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Esquimalt you need a Township building permit before you build, repair or alter a building, move or demolish one, install a wood-burning appliance or masonry fireplace, or do plumbing work. Fill in the Township's application form and send it to Building Inspection.
Key facts
| Needed for | A building permit is needed before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, moving or demolishing one, building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney, doing plumbing work, building or replacing a retaining structure over 1.2 m high, or working in or occupying a Township right-of-way.Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbefore constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure; before demolishing a building or structure; prior to the construction of a masonry fireplace or the installation of a wood prior to construction or replacement of a retaining structure greater than 1.2 prior to construction of any works within a Township right-of-way |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | No permit for minor repairs or alterations to non-structural parts, or for replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or water heater (no piping change). The bylaw does not apply to buildings the BC Building Code exempts, or to retaining structures under 1.2 m. 'Structure' excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures under 1.2 m.Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 6.2, 3.2, 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingfor minor repairs or alterations to non-structural components of the building This Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by the Building specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures less than 1.2 meters in height |
| How to apply | Fill in the Township's building permit application form (a PDF on the Building permits & inspections page); the owner must sign it and include the owner's signed acknowledgement (Schedule B). Permits are issued by the Township's Building Inspector.Building permits and inspections; Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding permits are issued by Esquimalt’s Building Inspector. Building permit | PDF Every application for a Permit shall be signed by the owner and shall be made in the form prescribed by the Township |
| What to submit | For a standard building: the signed form and owner's acknowledgement, a title search made within 30 days, a site plan by a BC Land Surveyor (may be waived for repairs or alterations), floor plans, cross-section, elevations, 3 sets of drawings, and a foundation design with letters of assurance (a Building Official may waive it). More may be asked for.Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 8.1, 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinginclude a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of the unless exempted pursuant to Section 8.4, include a site plan prepared by include 3 sets of drawings at a suitable scale of the design In addition to the requirements of Section 8.1, the following may be required The requirements of Section 8.1.9 may be waived by a Building Official if A Building Official may waive the requirement for the site plan, in whole or in part, |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The Township's pages do not state a processing time. |
| Inspections | Book inspections online through the Township's inspection booking page. The Building Regulation Bylaw requires at least 48 hours' notice; the website says 24 hours' notice. A final inspection is required before an occupancy permit.Sources differ: Conflict: bylaw s. 18.1 says 48 hours; the website says 24 hours. Bylaw followed.Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), s. 18.1; Building permits and inspections, Building inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe owner shall give at least 48 hours notice to the Township when requesting an To book an inspection, book it online. Twenty-four hours notice is required for inspection to allow for staff scheduling. A final inspection is required upon completion of a project and before an occupancy permit can be issued. |
| Contact | Building Inspection (Development Services): building@esquimalt.ca. Building permits & inspection line: 250-414-7103, Development.Services@esquimalt.ca.Contacts, Development Services; Service directory · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Inspection Department Development Services Email building@esquimalt.ca Building permits & inspection | 250-414-7103 |
| Bylaw | Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING REGULATION BYLAW, 2017, NO. 2899 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE November 6, 2023 |
How it works
Esquimalt's Building Inspector issues permits under the Township's Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899.
A permit is needed before you construct, repair or alter a building or structure, move or demolish one, build a masonry fireplace or install a wood-burning appliance or chimney, do plumbing work, build or replace a retaining structure over 1.2 m high, or work in or occupy a Township right-of-way.
No permit is needed for minor repairs or alterations to non-structural parts, or for replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or water heater with no piping change. The bylaw does not apply to buildings the BC Building Code exempts. Fences, landscaping, paving and retaining structures under 1.2 m are not "structures" under the bylaw. The bylaw sets no size limit of its own, so call before you decide you are exempt.
Steps
- Call 250-414-7103 or email building@esquimalt.ca to confirm what your project needs.
- Fill in the building permit application form. The owner signs it and includes the signed acknowledgement (Schedule B).
- Gather the title search, site plan, drawings and foundation design. More may be asked for.
- Submit the application. The pages read do not say whether this is in person, by email or online, so ask first.
- Pay the permit fee in full before the permit is issued.
- Book inspections online as work proceeds. A final inspection is required before an occupancy permit.
Good to know
- The bylaw requires at least 48 hours' notice for an inspection; the Township's web page says 24 hours. Plan for the longer time and confirm with Building Inspection.
- Complex buildings have a separate list of required documents in the bylaw.
- Zoning rules apply separately. See the zoning-lookup answer.
What you'll need
- Signed building permit application form, with the owner's signed acknowledgement (Schedule B)
- Title search made within 30 days
- Site plan by a BC Land Surveyor (may be waived for repairs or alterations)
- Floor plans, cross-section, elevations, 3 sets of drawings
- Foundation design with letters of assurance (a Building Official may waive it)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
View Royal · Victoria · Colwood · Saanich · Oak Bay · Langford
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2899 (PDF, consolidated Nov. 6, 2023), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
- Building permits and inspections, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
- Contacts, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
- Service directory, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
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.