---
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?"
place: Highlands, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/highlands
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Highlands
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Highlands, https://www.highlands.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Building Permit Hub (provincial portal, BCeID needed), https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections (The District's page links to the Hub for the District of Highlands.)
- In person: Municipal Hall, 1980 Millstream Road, Victoria, BC V9B 6H1 (The pages read do not state counter hours.)
- Phone: Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer, 250-474-1773
- Email: Building Official, cleek@highlands.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 3.1.2 and 3.3.7](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 3.1.3](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Permits & Inspections, Building Permits & Inspections page](https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections)
  - Official wording: "Use the Building Permit Hub to submit your application online." … "Only complete applications which all required documents will be accepted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Permit Application and Checklist, Appendix A form, items 1 to 6](https://www.highlands.ca/media/489)
  - Official wording: "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)."
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 3.3.6](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Permits & Inspections, Building Permits & Inspections page](https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, s. 4.5.4](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)
  - Official wording: "shall obtain an inspection and receive a Building Official's acceptance prior to concealing any aspect of the following work:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer Chris Leek, 250-474-1773, cleek@highlands.ca. General: info@highlands.ca.
  - Source: [Staff Directory](https://www.highlands.ca/staff-directory)
  - Official wording: "Chris Leek" … "Building Official / Bylaw Enforcement Officer" … "250-474-1773" … "cleek@highlands.ca"
  - Source: [Building Permits & Inspections, Building Permits & Inspections page](https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections)
  - Official wording: "To book an inspection, contact 250-474-1773 or email info@highlands.ca."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003
  - Source: [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003, Title page and Part 1](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)
  - Official wording: "Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003" … "It includes amendments up to July 15, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The 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.

You 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.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning and any development permit area rules first (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Gather the documents listed above. Only complete applications are accepted.
3. Apply online through the Building Permit Hub (you need a BCeID).
4. Pay the plan-processing fee with the application, and the permit fee before the permit is issued.
5. 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.

## Good to know

- Electrical and gas permits come from Technical Safety BC. Septic and drinking water approvals come from Island Health.
- The bylaw says you must get an inspection and acceptance before concealing certain work, such as footings, drain tile, framing and insulation.
- The District's page does not state how long a review takes. Ask the Building Official.
- The posted bylaw is a consolidation through July 15, 2024, and the District says it may not include the latest amendment.

## What you'll need

- 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

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections)
- [Building Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/489)
- [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420)

## Related questions

- [Highlands building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Highlands permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Highlands secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite.md)
- [Highlands zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/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)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/building-permit.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits & Inspections, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/building-development-planning/building/building-permits-inspections) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Regulation Bylaw No. 192, 2003 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1420) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permit Application and Checklist (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/489) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Staff Directory, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/staff-directory) (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 District of Highlands. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/building-permit/_