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

# Fort St. John building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

**Short answer:** Yes. In Fort St. John a permit is required before any construction, alteration, demolition or change of use of a building, and for plumbing work. Fill in the City's Building Permit Package for your project type and book inspections with at least 24 hours' notice. A Standard permit takes up to 10 business days to process.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Fort St. John, https://www.fortstjohn.ca)  
**Cost:** $6 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a plan processing fee ($150 new standard building, $300 new complex building). See the building-permit-fees answer for the full table.  
**How long:** Up to 10 business days for a Standard Building Permit; the City states no time for complex buildings.  
**Where:**
- Online: Building Permits page and application packages, https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits
- In person: City Hall, 10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Z5 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Building Inspection, 250-787-8150
- Email: Building Inspection, building@fortstjohn.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is required before any construction, alteration or renovation, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change of use or occupancy of a building or structure, plus plumbing work. Building permit needed for a shed over 10 m² and for any deck.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 17](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "No person shall commence or continue any construction, alteration/renovation, reconstruction," … "demolition, removal, relocation or change the use or occupancy of any building or structure or"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 31](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "a Deck Building Permit before construction of a deck;" … "a Shed Building Permit before construction of a shed that is greater than 10m2;"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Building permits are required for most types of construction, including new homes, commercial buildings, and the renovation or expansion of existing properties."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** No building permit for: painting, same-size window replacement, replacing plumbing fixtures, replacing roofing or cladding with like materials, or fence construction, repairs or alterations (a temporary security fence at a complex-building site still needs a Security Fence Permit). The bylaw does not apply to retaining structures under 1.2 m high or buildings the Building Code exempts.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 13-16](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "nor to retaining structures less than 1.2 meters in height." … "painting (exterior and/or interior), window replacement (same size" … "A Building Permit is not required for fence construction, repairs, or alterations." … "A Building Permit is not required for the replacement of roofing materials or exterior cladding" … "a Security Fence Permit before construction of a security fence;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the City's application forms: the Building Permit Package (Complex, Simple, or Garage and Accessory Buildings), found on the City's Building Permits page. The pages read do not say where or how to submit it (online, in person or by email).
  - Source: [Building Permits, Applying for a Permit](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Compile all required documentation following the requirements of your Building Permit Application." … "Building Permit Package - Garage and Accessory Buildings"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 32](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Applications for permits required by this Bylaw shall be made with the approved City of Fort St. John application forms."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** Standard building: Owner's Declaration, site plan, floor plans and other drawings on the City's form, plus a BC Housing Licensing and Consumer Services form. Complex building adds two sets of professionally prepared plans, cost estimate, title, letters of assurance, geotechnical report, damage deposit and landscaping deposit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 39](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Owner’s Declaration – each Owner of a building or structure to be constructed requiring a" … "must be submitted at the time of application for a standard building permit."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 42](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Plans - two complete sets of drawings at the suitable scale of the design," … "Cost Estimate - a cost estimate from a registered professional or a signed copy of the written" … "Securities - submit the damage deposit in accordance to Schedule A of this Bylaw,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** The Building Department has up to 10 business days to process a Standard Building Permit; incomplete applications may be delayed. No time is stated for complex buildings.
  - Source: [Standard Building Permit Package, Standard Building Permit Package, page 2](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-permit-package-standard)
  - Official wording: "The Building Department has up to 10 business days to process a Standard Building"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inspections:** The owner or agent requests each inspection; at least 24 hours' notice is required. Call the Planning and Engineering Department at 250-787-8150 during normal business hours with the permit number, site address and type of inspection. First come, first served.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Requesting an Inspection](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "24 hours notice is required prior to any inspection request." … "Inspections can be requested during normal business hours by contacting the Planning and Engineering Department at 250-787-8150." … "Building permit number, the address of worksite, and the type of inspection being requested is required when booking an inspection."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, s. 58](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "The Owner shall give at least 24 hours advance notice to the Building Official of the Owner’s"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Building Inspection (Development Services): 250-787-8150 or building@fortstjohn.ca (City Contact Us page). An older Step Code brochure gives 250-794-3263.
  - Source: [BC Energy Step Code Requirements brochure, Step Code brochure](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/bcenergystepcode)
  - Official wording: "Contact Building Inspection: 250-794-3263 or building@fortstjohn.ca"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Requesting an Inspection](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "contacting the Planning and Engineering Department at 250-787-8150."
  - Source: [Contact Us, Contact Us page (page 1 of list)](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us?page=1)
  - Official wording: "- Trevor Bolin -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us/trevor-bolin - Email -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/form/contact-us?recipient_select=tbolin@fortstjohn.ca - Building Inspection -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us/building-inspection - Email -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/form/contact-us?recipient_select=building@fortstjohn.ca - Business Licenses -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us/business-licenses" … "- Email -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/form/contact-us?recipient_select=tbolin@fortstjohn.ca - Building Inspection -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us/building-inspection - Email -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/form/contact-us?recipient_select=building@fortstjohn.ca - Business Licenses -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us/business-licenses - Email -> https://www.fortstjohn.ca/form/contact-us?recipient_select=businesslicences@fortstjohn.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024, cover](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2589, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Building Bylaw 2589, 2024](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw), no one may start any construction, alteration or renovation, reconstruction, demolition, removal, relocation or change of use or occupancy of a building or structure without a permit. Plumbing work needs one too. Any deck needs a building permit, as does a shed over 10 m². Separate permits also cover demolition, moving, plumbing, fire sprinklers, security fences and solid fuel burning appliances.

## Steps

1. Choose the City's Building Permit Package for your project: Simple, Complex, or Garage and Accessory Buildings. Find them on the City's Building Permits page.
2. Complete it. A standard building needs an Owner's Declaration, site plan and floor plans on the City's form, plus a BC Housing Licensing and Consumer Services form. A complex building adds two sets of professionally prepared plans, a cost estimate, title, letters of assurance, a geotechnical report, a damage deposit and a landscaping deposit.
3. Submit it. The pages we read do not say whether to submit online, in person or by email, so ask Building Inspection (250-787-8150 or building@fortstjohn.ca).
4. Request each inspection by calling the Planning and Engineering Department at 250-787-8150 during normal business hours. Give at least 24 hours' notice and have the permit number, site address and type of inspection ready.

## Good to know

- The Building Department has up to 10 business days to process a Standard Building Permit; incomplete applications may be delayed. No time is stated for complex buildings.
- New builds also need a satisfactory energy model under the BC Energy Step Code before a permit is issued.
- No building permit is needed for painting, same-size window replacement, replacing plumbing fixtures, like-for-like roofing or cladding, or fence construction, repairs or alterations. The bylaw does not apply to retaining structures under 1.2 m high or to buildings the Building Code exempts. A temporary security fence at a complex-building site still needs a Security Fence Permit.
- Inspections are first come, first served. Work must not go past an inspection stage without clearance.
- An older City brochure lists 250-794-3263 for Building Inspection. The City's Contact Us page lists 250-787-8150.

## What you'll need

- Completed Building Permit Package (Simple, Complex, or Garage and Accessory Buildings)
- Plans meeting the requirements in the package

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Package - Simple (Part 9 buildings) (PDF)](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-permit-package-standard)
- [Building Permit Package - Complex (Part 3 buildings) (PDF)](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-permit-package-complex)
- [Building Permit Package - Garage and Accessory Buildings (PDF)](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-permit-package-garage-and-accessory-buildings)
- [Building Bylaw 2589, 2024 (PDF)](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw)

## Related questions

- [Fort St. John building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Fort St. John permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Fort St. John zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/building-permit.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/building-permit.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/building-permit.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/building-permit.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/building-permit.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, City of Fort St. John](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/business-building-and-development/building/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2589, 2024 (PDF), City of Fort St. John](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Standard Building Permit Package (PDF), City of Fort St. John](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/building-permit-package-standard) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact Us, City of Fort St. John](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/contact-us?page=1) (read 2026-11-05)
- [BC Energy Step Code Requirements brochure, City of Fort St. John](https://www.fortstjohn.ca/media/file/bcenergystepcode) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Fort St. John. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/building-permit/_