Grand Forks building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
Yes, in most cases. In the City of Grand Forks, Building Bylaw 2070 requires a permit before you build, repair or alter a building or structure (including a pool or retaining wall), move or demolish one, or change its use. Building Inspection at City Hall issues the permits.
Key facts
| Needed for | An owner must get a permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a pool or retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney, changing a building's use or occupancy class, or changing or adding to a plumbing system. Solar panel systems also need one.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 7.1; Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 16.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(c) demolishing a building or structure; changing the use or occupancy class of a building, making changes to or adding to an existing plumbing system, a person must not install or alter a solar panel system without making application and receiving a valid building permit. |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | The Building Bylaw does not apply to: a fence (but a retaining wall does need a permit); an accessory building with a floor area under 10 m² (108 ft²); a trellis, arbour, wall supporting soil under 1.22 m (4 ft) high, or similar landscape structures; and CSA Z240/A277 mobile or modular homes except as the Building Code regulates them.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(a) except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence; (b) an accessoiy building with a floor area of less than 10 square metres (c) a trellis, an arbour, a wall supporting soil that is less than 1.22 metres (4 ft) in height, |
| How to apply | Apply on the form prescribed by the building official, signed by the owner, together with the owner's undertaking (Appendix D). Building Inspection issues building and plumbing permits.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 10.4(a)-(b); Building Inspections & Bylaw Services, Department description · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(a) be made in the form prescribed by the building official and signed by the owner, or a (b) be accompanied by the owner's acknowledgment of responsibility and undertaking issuing building and plumbing permits |
| What to submit | For a standard building: signed application form; owner's undertaking (Appendix D); a BC land surveyor's survey plan unless waived; site plan; floor plans; cross-section; elevations of all sides; copies of health and safety approvals (such as sewage disposal permits); two sets of drawings. A title search (within 30 days) when requested.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 10.4(c)-(m) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(c) include, when requested by a building official, a copy of a title search for the relevant (d) include a copy of a survey plan prepared by a British Columbia land surveyor except (f) include floor plans showing the dimensions and uses of all areas, including: the (g) include a cross-section through the building illustrating foundations, drainage, ceiling (m) include two sets of drawings at a suitable scale of design including the information |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. Neither the bylaw nor the City's Building Inspections page says how long a permit takes. |
| Inspections | Owner must give the City at least 24 hours' notice when requesting an inspection (standard buildings). For complex buildings, at least 48 hours' notice for the preconstruction meeting and the pre-occupancy review.Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 10.29; Building Bylaw No. 2070, s. 10.32 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording10.29 For all work in respect of standard buildings the owner must give at least 24 hours' notice to the City when requesting an inspection (a) give at least 48 hours' notice to the City when requesting a preconstruction meeting (b) give at least 48 hours' notice to the City when requesting a pre-occupancy |
| Contact | Building Inspection: (250) 442-8266, info@grandforks.ca, Box 220, 7217 4th Street, Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0.Building Inspections & Bylaw Services, Contact · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(250) 442-8266 info@grandforks.ca Box 220, 7217 4th Street |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 2070, amended by Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2070-A1Building Bylaw No. 2070, title; Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2070-A1, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW No. 2070 BUILDING BYLAW AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 2070-A1 |
How it works
The City of Grand Forks Building Bylaw 2070 requires an owner to get a permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure (including a pool or retaining wall), moving or demolishing one, building a masonry fireplace or installing a wood-burning appliance or chimney, changing a building's use or occupancy class, or changing or adding to a plumbing system. Solar panel systems also need one. Building Inspection issues building and plumbing permits.
Steps
- Check your lot's zoning. Zoning rules (setbacks, height, lot coverage) apply even to work that needs no building permit.
- Contact Building Inspection (250-442-8266 or info@grandforks.ca) to ask how to submit. The bylaw does not say whether this is online or in person.
- Apply on the form prescribed by the building official, signed by the owner, with the owner's undertaking (Appendix D) and the plans listed above.
- Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued. A security deposit, set by the Chief Administrative Officer, is paid when you apply.
- Give the City at least 24 hours' notice when you request an inspection (48 hours for the preconstruction meeting and pre-occupancy review on complex buildings).
Good to know
- The bylaw does not apply to a fence (a retaining wall does need a permit), an accessory building under 10 m² (108 ft²), a trellis, arbour or soil-retaining wall under 1.22 m (4 ft), or similar landscape structures.
- Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee, up to $10,000.
- A municipal ticket for building without a permit is $500; a court fine can reach $10,000.
- A permit expires if work does not start within 6 months or stops for 12 months.
What you'll need
- Signed application form and the owner's undertaking (Appendix D of the bylaw)
- A survey plan by a British Columbia land surveyor, unless waived
- Site plan, floor plans, cross-section, elevations of all sides, and two sets of drawings
- Copies of other required approvals, such as sewage disposal permits
- A title search (within 30 days), if requested
- Home warranty insurance and a licensed residential builder, for new homes covered by the Homeowner Protection Act
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Midway · Rossland · Warfield · Trail · Montrose · Castlegar
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Inspections & Bylaw Services, City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 2070 (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2070-A1 (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2073 (PDF, consolidated December 12, 2022), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
- Payment Options (PDF), City of Grand Forks (read 2026-11-05)
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.