---
title: Fernie building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/fernie
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Fernie
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Fernie building permit fees

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Fernie a building permit has a non-refundable application fee ($250 for work valued under $49,999) plus a permit fee of $10 per $1,000 of value or $250, whichever is greater. Plumbing permits start at $100.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Fernie, https://www.fernie.ca)  
**Cost:** Application fee $250 (value under $49,999), $800 ($50,000 to $999,999), $1,600 plus $800 per further $1,000,000 above $1,000,000. Permit fee $10 per $1,000 of value or $250, whichever is greater.  
**How long:** The City emails an invoice within 2 business days of submission. Permit fees are paid at issuance.  
**Where:**
- Online: Cloudpermit, https://ca.cloudpermit.com/gov/login
- In person: City Hall (cheque, cash or debit), 501 3rd Avenue, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- By mail: Mail a cheque payable to City of Fernie, P.O. Box 190, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0
- Phone: City Hall, 250-423-6817

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $250 minimum permit fee (the building permit fee is $10 per $1,000 of value or $250, whichever is greater), plus a non-refundable $250 application fee when the value of the work is under $49,999.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A, items 1 and 2](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "$10.00 per $1000 of submitted and approved Value of the Work or $250.00, whichever is greater." … "Value of the Work < $49,999 $250.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Building permit fee: $10 per $1,000 of the submitted and approved value of the work, or $250, whichever is greater. The fee is doubled if construction starts before the permit is issued, and is 200% of the normal fee after a stop-work order.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A, item 2; s. 11.20](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "$10.00 per $1000 of submitted and approved Value of the Work or $250.00, whichever is greater." … "The building permit or other permit fee is doubled for every permit application if construction" … "200% of the Building Permit Fees noted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** A non-refundable application fee is paid when applying: $250 for work valued under $49,999; $800 for $50,000 to $999,999; $1,600 plus $800 per further $1,000,000 above $1,000,000. It is separate from the permit fee paid at issuance; the bylaw does not say it is credited toward it.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A, item 1](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "a non-refundable application fee must be paid to the City of Fernie as follows:" … "Value of the Work < $49,999 $250.00" … "Value of the Work between $50,000 - $999,999 $800.00" … "Value of the Work > $1,000,000 $1600.00 + $800.00 per subsequent $1,000,000 in Value of the Work" … "Permit fees and charges must be paid to the City of Fernie at issuance of a permit and must be" … "Notwithstanding the building permit application fee, a building permit or other permit fee may be"
  - Source: [Required Documents for All Building Permit Applications and Renewals, Page 1](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/178457/)
  - Official wording: "Plan Check fees are payable upon application submission, either in-person at City Hall or online using Option Pay"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing permit $100 (under 5 fixtures) or $100 plus $20 per fixture over 5; demolition $200; temporary building $250; wood stove or fireplace $150; re-inspection after two failed inspections $250; security deposit $100 per metre of property line on a public road (accessory building over 25 m², additions) or $200 per metre (new home).
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A, items 2 to 4](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "Plumbing Permit Fees <5 fixtures $100.00" … "Plumbing Permit Fees >6 fixtures $100.00 + $20.00/fixture over 5 fixtures" … "Demolition Permit $200.00" … "Re-Inspection Fee (for building and document $250.00" … "For a residential accessory building or structure $100.00/m x length of property line in" … "For a new single-family dwelling, simple $200.00/m x length of property line in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** After applying, the City emails an invoice within 2 business days. Pay in person at City Hall (cheque, cash or debit), by mailed or dropped-off cheque to 'City of Fernie', or by Visa or Mastercard through OptionPay (a third-party service with its own fees). Permit fees are paid at issuance.
  - Source: [Apply with Cloudpermit, How to Submit a Permit Application](https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/city/departments-services/planning-development-services/apply-with-cloudpermit.html)
  - Official wording: "Within 2 business days, the City will email you an invoice with the amount payable for the permit application." … "In-person at City Hall front desk by cheque, cash, or debit." … "VISA or Mastercard through the online payment service OptionPay."
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A, item 2](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "Permit fees and charges must be paid to the City of Fernie at issuance of a permit and must be"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A (Fees)
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
  - Official wording: "Appendix A – Fees" … "Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526"
  - Source: [Building Permits and Inspections, Building Permit Application Process](https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/residents/city-services/building-permits-inspections.html)
  - Official wording: "Any fees payable from April 16, 2025, onwards will apply according to “Appendix A” of the new bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Fees are set by Appendix A of the [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 2526, 2025](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577) and are calculated on the total value of the work. You pay in two parts: a non-refundable application fee when you apply, and the permit fee at issuance. The bylaw does not say the application fee is credited toward the permit fee.

## Good to know

- **Application fee (non-refundable):** $250 for work under $49,999; $800 for $50,000 to $999,999; $1,600 plus $800 per further $1,000,000 above $1,000,000.
- **Permit fee:** $10 per $1,000 of the submitted and approved value of the work, or $250, whichever is greater. The fee doubles if construction starts before the permit is issued, and is 200% of the normal fee after a stop-work order.
- **Plumbing permit:** $100 (under 5 fixtures), or $100 plus $20 per fixture over 5.
- **Other fees:** demolition $200; temporary building $250; wood stove or fireplace $150; re-inspection after two failed inspections $250.
- **Security deposit:** $100 per metre of property line on a public road for a residential accessory building over 25 m² or an addition; $200 per metre for a new home.
- **How to pay:** the City emails an invoice within 2 business days. Pay in person at City Hall (cheque, cash or debit), by cheque mailed or dropped off to "City of Fernie", or by Visa or Mastercard through OptionPay, a third-party service with its own fees.
- A development permit or other land use application has separate fees in [Bylaw 2530](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/192693).

## Official forms and pages

- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025, Appendix A - Fees (PDF)](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577)
- [Land Use Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw No. 2530, 2025 (PDF)](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/192693)

## Related questions

- [Fernie building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Sparwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Creston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 2526, 2025 (PDF), City of Fernie](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/577) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Apply with Cloudpermit, City of Fernie](https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/city/departments-services/planning-development-services/apply-with-cloudpermit.html) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Required Documents for All Building Permit Applications and Renewals (PDF), City of Fernie](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/178457/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Land Use Application Procedures and Fees Bylaw No. 2530, 2025 (PDF), City of Fernie](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/192693) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits and Inspections, City of Fernie](https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/residents/city-services/building-permits-inspections.html) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Fernie. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/building-permit-fees/_