--- title: "Gold River building permits: when you need one and how to apply" question: "Do I need a building permit in Gold River, and how do I apply?" place: Gold River, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/gold-river category: Building, renovating and your property owner: municipal owner_body: Village of Gold River sources_read: 2026-11-08 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/building-permit/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/building-permit.json" --- # Gold River building permits: when you need one and how to apply **Question:** Do I need a building permit in Gold River, and how do I apply? **Short answer:** In Gold River you need a Village building permit before you construct, repair or alter a building or structure, and separate permits to move or demolish one. Pick up the application package from the Village office, bring it in with a plan review fee, and the Village contacts you when the permit is ready. **Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Gold River, https://goldriver.ca) **Cost:** A plan processing fee is paid at application, and the permit fee is for each $1,000 of construction value ($75 minimum). See the building-permit-fees answer. **How long:** Not stated in the bylaw, the application package or the Village's website. Ask the Village office. **Where:** - In person: Municipal Hall, 499 Muchalat Drive, Gold River, BC V0P 1G0 (Office hours are not stated on the Village's website.) - Phone: Village Hall, 250-283-2202 ## Key facts - **Needed for:** A building permit is required before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, and separate permits are needed to move or demolish one. A permit is also needed before a masonry fireplace, wood-burning appliance or chimney is installed, unless it is part of a building permit. The Village's package says a permit is needed before excavation, erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair, demolition or installation of any building or structure. - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, s. 8.1](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;" … "a moving permit before moving a building or structure;" … "a demolition permit before demolishing a building or structure;" - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Application package, p. 2](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "A Building Permit must be obtained prior to excavation," … "erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair," - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Not needed for:** The Building Bylaw does not apply to: buildings exempted by Part 1 of the Building Code; retaining structures under 1.2 m high; fences, non-structural re-roofing, siding, cosmetic work, or non-structural repairs valued under $2,500 (at the Building Official's discretion); clearing stoppages or fixing leaks in pipes without replacing them; and one-storey accessory buildings of 10 m² or less and 3 m or less to the peak that comply with zoning. - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, s. 5.2](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "to retaining structures less than 1.2 meters in height;" … "to fences, non-structural re-roofing, siding and cosmetic type work, or for non-" … "structural repairs valued at less than $2500, at the discretion of the Building Official." … "the accessory building does not exceed 10 m2 in floor area;" … "the accessory building does not exceed 3m to peak in height; and" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **How to apply:** Attend the Village of Gold River office with the completed application package. Staff review the application, and a plan review fee is required at that time. The Building Inspector then reviews the package and the Village contacts you to pay for and pick up the permit. - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 2-3](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "Attend the Village of Gold River Office with required information." … "Staff will review application requirements and a plan review fee will be required at that time." … "The Village will contact you to pay for and pick up the permit." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **What to submit:** For all applications: the completed Building Permit Application; an Owner's Acknowledgment of Responsibility; a site plan (scale not less than 1:200, showing setbacks, buildings, easements and services); and a land title search made within 14 days of application. New residential buildings also need structural drawings, building plans, spatial separation calculations, Schedule B, Step Code report, F280 heat loss calculations and home warranty registration or owner-builder exemption. - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "Completed Building Permit Application (attached)." … "Owner’s Acknowledgment of Responsibility (attached)." … "Copy of Land Title Search made within 14 days of date of application" - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1, new residential buildings](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "The following documents are required for all new residential buildings:" … "Step Code Pre-construction compliance report" … "F280 Heat Loss/Heat Gain calculations including provision for cooling area" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The Village's materials do not state a processing time. - **Inspections:** The owner or representative must give at least 72 hours notice to the Village when requesting an inspection, and obtain the Building Official's acceptance of the listed aspects of the work before concealing them. The permit lists the inspections required for the project. - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Inspections](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "shall give at least 72 hours notice to the Village when" … "Your permit will list the inspections required for your project." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Contact:** Village Office, 499 Muchalat Drive, phone (250) 283-2202. The application package says the Village's contracted Strathcona Regional District Building Official reviews applications. - Source: [Contact, Village Hall](https://goldriver.ca/village-hall/contact/) - Official wording: "Contact ### Village Hall 499 Muchalat Drive Gold River, BC V0P 1G0 Phone: (250) 283-2202 After hours emergency, call (250) 283-2202, option 5" - Source: [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1 note](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - Official wording: "The contracted SRD Building Official" … "for the Village of Gold River will contact you if more information is required." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 - **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, as amended by Bylaw No. 651.2, 2020. Fees are in Schedule C of Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 734, 2021 (which repealed Amendment Bylaw No. 651.1, 2007). - Source: [Permits and Licences, Building Permits](https://goldriver.ca/municipal-services/permits-and-licences/) - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 651.2, 2020" … "Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 651.1, 2007" - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Schedule A](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 651, 2005" - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 734, 2021, s. 4(b)](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Bylaw-No-734-2021-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw.pdf) - Official wording: "b. Village of Gold River Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No." … "651.1, 2007." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 ## How it works The Village of Gold River requires a permit under [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) before you construct, repair or alter a building or structure. Moving a building needs a moving permit and demolishing one needs a demolition permit. A permit is also needed before a masonry fireplace, wood-burning appliance or chimney is installed, unless it is part of a building permit. The Village's package lists excavation, erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair, demolition and installation. The bylaw does not apply to buildings exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, retaining structures under 1.2 m high, fences, non-structural re-roofing, siding, cosmetic work or non-structural repairs valued under $2,500 (at the Building Official's discretion), fixing pipe leaks without replacing pipe, or a one-storey accessory building of 10 m² or less and 3 m or less to the peak that meets zoning. ## Steps 1. If your project needs a Development Permit, Development Variance Permit or Board of Variance approval, complete that first. 2. Gather the application, Owner's Acknowledgment, site plan and land title search (see documents above). 3. Take the package to the Village office. Staff review it and a plan review fee is required then. 4. The Village's contracted Strathcona Regional District Building Official reviews the package and contacts you if more information is needed. 5. The Village contacts you to pay for and pick up the permit. 6. Request inspections as your permit lists them. ## Good to know - Give the Village at least 72 hours notice when you request an inspection, and get the Building Official's acceptance before concealing the work. The package does not say how to book. - The package does not mention an online portal. - Starting work without a permit costs a double fee. ## What you'll need - Completed Building Permit Application and Owner's Acknowledgment of Responsibility - Site plan (scale not less than 1:200) showing setbacks, buildings, easements and services - Land title search made within 14 days of the application - For new residential buildings, also structural drawings, building plans, spatial separation calculations, Schedule B, a Step Code pre-construction compliance report, F280 heat loss calculations and home warranty registration or an owner-builder exemption ## Official forms and pages - [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF)](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) - [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005 (PDF)](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) ## Related questions - [Gold River building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/building-permit-fees.md) - [Gold River permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/deck-shed-garage-permit.md) - [Gold River zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/zoning-lookup.md) - [Gold River secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/secondary-suite.md) - [Gold River fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/fence-rules.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md) - [Tahsis](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/building-permit.md) - [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit.md) - [Tofino](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/building-permit.md) - [Sayward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/building-permit.md) - [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/building-permit.md) - [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/building-permit.md) ## Sources - [Permits and Licences, Village of Gold River](https://goldriver.ca/municipal-services/permits-and-licences/) (read 2026-11-08) - [Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF), Village of Gold River](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Building-Permit-App-Pkg-Fillable.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005 (PDF), Village of Gold River](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-651-2005-Building-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 734, 2021 (PDF), Village of Gold River](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Bylaw-No-734-2021-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08) - [Contact, Village of Gold River](https://goldriver.ca/village-hall/contact/) (read 2026-11-08) _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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Gold River. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/building-permit/_