{"title":"Highlands building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit in Highlands, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Highlands","url":"https://www.highlands.ca"},"short_answer":"In the District of Highlands you need a building permit to construct, repair, alter or move a building or structure. Buildings of 10 m² or less in building area and minor non-structural repairs do not need one. Apply online through the provincial Building Permit Hub.","aliases":["building permit highlands","do i need a permit highlands","apply for building permit highlands","building permit hub highlands"],"cost":"A plan-processing fee of $50 (construction value under $50,000) or $250 (over $50,000) is paid with the application. The permit fee itself is set by a schedule we could not read. See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The District's pages and bylaw do not state a review time. An application is cancelled if the permit is not issued and paid for within 180 days of notice that it is ready.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Building Permit Hub (provincial portal, BCeID needed)","value":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections","note":"The District's page links to the Hub for the District of Highlands."},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"1980 Millstream Road, Victoria, BC V9B 6H1","note":"The pages read do not state counter hours."},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer","value":"250-474-1773"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Official","value":"cleek@highlands.ca"}],"documents":["Application form (Appendix A) and Owner's Undertaking (Appendix M)","Recent title search","Evidence of a Driveway Access Permit application from the District","Sewage disposal filing from the Health Authority or a letter from a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner","Source of potable water shown on the plans","Site plan, floor plans and drawings"],"forms":[{"title":"Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections"},{"title":"Building Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/489"},{"title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192 (PDF)","url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Highlands building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Highlands permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Highlands secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Highlands zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"A building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, and before moving one. Separate permits for plumbing, for a masonry fireplace or wood-burning appliance (unless covered by a building permit), and for demolition.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1.2 and 3.3.7","quotes":["a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;","a plumbing permit prior to commencing the installation of any plumbing;","a demolition permit prior to demolishing a building or structure.","A building permit is required for the relocation of a building or structure on the property to which it is to be moved."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"No permit for minor repairs or alterations to non-structural parts of a building, for repairing or replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or service water heater, or for a building or structure of 10 m² or less in building area.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1.3","quotes":["for minor repairs or alterations to non-structural components of a building;","if a building or structure does not exceed 10 square meters in building area."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Online through the Building Permit Hub (provincial portal, BCeID needed). The District's Building Permit Application and Checklist are also posted. Only complete applications are accepted.","short":"Online (Building Permit Hub)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands","section":"Building Permits & Inspections page","quotes":["Use the Building Permit Hub to submit your application online.","Only complete applications which all required documents will be accepted."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"Application form (Appendix A) with a title search (the form says last 30 days; Bylaw 192 s. 3.3.6(b) says within 14 days), driveway access permit evidence, sewage disposal filing or ROWP letter, potable water source, Owner's Undertaking (Appendix M), site plan, floor plans, drawings.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/489","title":"Building Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)","section":"Appendix A form, items 1 to 6","quotes":["Copy of a recent (last 30 days) CERTIFICATE OF TITLE","Evidence of Driveway Access Permit application and location obtained from the District of Highlands","Sewage Disposal filing from Health Authority or letter from Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP).","Source of potable water indicated on plans.","Owner’s Undertaking (Appendix M)."]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3.6","quotes":["include two copies of specifications and two sets of drawings","include a copy of a title search made within 14 days of the date of the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The official pages do not state this detail.","sources":[]},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"Book by calling 250-474-1773 or emailing info@highlands.ca. 24 hours' notice is required. A final inspection is required before an occupancy permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands","section":"Building Permits & Inspections page","quotes":["To book an inspection, contact 250-474-1773 or email info@highlands.ca. Inspections require 24-hour notice.","A final inspection is required upon completion of a project and before an occupancy permit can be issued."]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.5.4","quotes":["shall obtain an inspection and receive a Building Official's acceptance prior to concealing any aspect of the following work:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer Chris Leek, 250-474-1773, cleek@highlands.ca. General: info@highlands.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/staff-directory","title":"Staff Directory, District of Highlands","section":"Staff Directory","quotes":["Chris Leek","Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer","250-474-1773","cleek@highlands.ca"]},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands","section":"Building Permits & Inspections page","quotes":["To book an inspection, contact 250-474-1773 or email info@highlands.ca."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","section":"Title page and Part 1","quotes":["Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003","It includes amendments up to July 15, 2024"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District of Highlands requires a permit under its [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420). You need a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure, and before moving one. Plumbing and demolition have their own permits, and so does a masonry fireplace or wood-burning appliance unless a building permit covers it.\n\nYou do not need a permit for minor repairs or alterations to non-structural parts, for repairing or replacing a valve, faucet, fixture or water heater, or for a building or structure of 10 m² or less in building area. A permit-free structure must still meet the Zoning Bylaw.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zoning and any development permit area rules first (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Gather the documents listed above. Only complete applications are accepted.\n3. Apply online through the Building Permit Hub (you need a BCeID).\n4. Pay the plan-processing fee with the application, and the permit fee before the permit is issued.\n5. Book inspections at each stage by calling 250-474-1773 or emailing info@highlands.ca. Inspections need 24 hours' notice, and a final inspection is required before an occupancy permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC. Septic and drinking water approvals come from Island Health.\n- The bylaw says you must get an inspection and acceptance before concealing certain work, such as footings, drain tile, framing and insulation.\n- The District's page does not state how long a review takes. Ask the Building Official.\n- The posted bylaw is a consolidation through July 15, 2024, and the District says it may not include the latest amendment.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections","title":"Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/media/489","title":"Building Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.highlands.ca/staff-directory","title":"Staff Directory, District of Highlands","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"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."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit.json"}}