Gold River building permits: when you need one and how to apply

Do I need a building permit in Gold River, and how do I apply?

Gold River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

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.Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, s. 8.1; Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Application package, p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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; A Building Permit must be obtained prior to excavation, erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair,
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.Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, s. 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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
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.Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 2-3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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.
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.Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1; Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1, new residential buildings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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 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
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.Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording shall give at least 72 hours notice to the Village when Your permit will list the inspections required for your project.
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.Contact, Village Hall; Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, Step 1 note · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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 The contracted SRD Building Official for the Village of Gold River will contact you if more information is required.
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).Permits and Licences, Building Permits; Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Schedule A; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 734, 2021, s. 4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 651.2, 2020 Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 651.1, 2007 Bylaw No. 651, 2005 b. Village of Gold River Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 651.1, 2007.

How it works

The Village of Gold River requires a permit under Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005 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

If your project needs a Development Permit, Development Variance Permit or Board of Variance approval, complete that first.
Gather the application, Owner's Acknowledgment, site plan and land title search (see documents above).
Take the package to the Village office. Staff review it and a plan review fee is required then.
The Village's contracted Strathcona Regional District Building Official reviews the package and contacts you if more information is needed.
The Village contacts you to pay for and pick up the permit.
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

The same question in other places

Tahsis · Campbell River · Tofino · Sayward · Cumberland · Courtenay

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

Permits and Licences, Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Building Bylaw No. 651, 2005 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 734, 2021 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Contact, Village of Gold River (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. How answers are checked.