---
title: "Hope building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply in Hope?"
place: Hope, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/hope
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Hope
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/building-permit.json"
---

# Hope building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply in Hope?

**Short answer:** In Hope you need a District building permit for most building work valued at $2,000 or more ($3,000 for farm buildings), and for demolition, plumbing, chimneys, signs and pool fences. A single-storey accessory building under 10 m² does not. Water limits mean no permit for new units that add density in mapped areas.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Hope, https://www.hope.ca)  
**Cost:** A $100 minimum fee, plus an amount based on the value of the work, under Schedule G of the Fees & Charges Bylaw. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time. A permit lapses if construction does not start within six months of issue, is stopped for more than twelve months, or in any case 24 months after issue.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, Community Development, 325 Wallace Street, Hope, BC V0X 1L0 (Hours are not stated on the District's pages.)
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-869-5671
- Email: Building permits and inspections, dlepitre@hope.ca
- Email: Planning, planning@hope.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** Manufactured, factory-built or modular homes; signs; pool fencing; plumbing, sewer or water work; change of occupancy; chimneys and fireplaces; demolition; other work valued at $2,000 or more ($3,000 for farm buildings). No permit for a new unit adding density in the Schedule A water-capacity areas until the water issue is resolved.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 12.01](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every owner of real property or his agent shall obtain from the building inspector" … "the removal or demolition of any structure" … "all other construction or repairs to a structure if the value of construction is" … "$2,000 or more or, in the case of a building to which the farm Building Code applies, if the value of construction is $3,000.00 or more" … "no parcel in the subject areas shown on Schedule A will receive a building" … "infrastructure issue is resolved."
  - Source: [Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package](https://hope.ca/application-packages)
  - Official wording: "Decks and covered patios" … "Garages, accessory buildings, and detached structures"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Single-storey accessory buildings under 10 m² of total floor area, repainting, re-siding exterior walls and recovering existing roofs fall outside the bylaw's definition of construction. Other repairs or construction valued under $2,000 ($3,000 for farm buildings) are not caught by the general rule.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 1.01 "construction"; s. 12.01(h)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "except for single story accessory buildings less than 10m2 total floor area" … "but excludes repainting of exterior or interior surface" … "re-siding exterior walls and recovering of existing roofs"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 12.01(h)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "all other construction or repairs to a structure if the value of construction is"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Fill in the Building Permit Application and Checklist from the District's Building Permit Package (Permits, Licences & Applications page). The bylaw requires the form the Building Inspector prescribes, signed by the owner or agent. The pages do not say whether it is handed in online, in person or by email; ask staff first.
  - Source: [Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package](https://hope.ca/application-packages)
  - Official wording: "This package provides the forms, checklists, and information required to apply for a building permit." … "Applications will only be accepted once all required information and supporting documentation have been provided."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 10.01](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be signed by the owner(s) or agent with identification of the signature"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** Scale drawings and specifications (the bylaw says copies in triplicate) showing dimensions, parcel boundaries, existing structures, driveway access and parking; the deposit under Schedule G; and other information needed to show Building Code compliance. Engineered drawings, site plans, surveys, energy compliance documents or geotechnical reports may also be required.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 10.01](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "copies in triplicate of the specifications and scale" … "driveway access and parking arrangements" … "be accompanied by the applicable deposit in accordance with Schedule G"
  - Source: [Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package](https://hope.ca/application-packages)
  - Official wording: "additional documentation may be required, including engineered drawings, site plans, surveys, energy compliance documentation, geotechnical reports, or other supporting information."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** The permit holder arranges each inspection before moving to the next stage. The bylaw requires at least one full working day's notice for each stage inspection (footings, framing, and so on) and at least two business days' notice before starting construction and before covering drains or work ordered inspected.
  - Source: [Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package](https://hope.ca/application-packages)
  - Official wording: "It is the responsibility of the permit holder to schedule required inspections before proceeding to the next stage of work."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 13.01, 13.02](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "give a minimum of one full working days notice" … "shall give at least two business days notice to the building inspector"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Community Development: building permit and inspection questions to dlepitre@hope.ca; planning questions to planning@hope.ca; phone (604) 869-5671, Town Hall, 325 Wallace Street.
  - Source: [Community Development, Contact information](https://hope.ca/community-development)
  - Official wording: "For building permit and building inspection inquiries, please contact dlepitre@hope.ca." … "For planning and development inquiries, please contact planning@hope.ca." … "Phone: (604) 869-5671"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 972 (consolidated to June 2024)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, Title page](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 972" … "(CONSOLIDATED TO JUNE 2024)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Water capacity comes first in Hope. Building Bylaw s. 10.13 bars any building permit for a new residential unit that adds density on a parcel in the water-capacity areas on its Schedule A map, until the water issue is resolved. The map could not be read, so ask Planning whether your parcel is covered before you design anything.

Under the [Building Bylaw No. 972](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf>) a permit is needed for manufactured, factory-built or modular homes, signs, pool fencing, plumbing, sewer or water work, a change of occupancy, chimneys and fireplaces, demolition, and other work valued at $2,000 or more ($3,000 for farm buildings). Single-storey accessory buildings under 10 m², repainting, re-siding and re-roofing existing roofs fall outside the bylaw's definition of construction.

## Steps

1. Ask Community Development (dlepitre@hope.ca or 604-869-5671) whether your project needs a permit and whether your parcel is in a water-capacity area.
2. Fill in the Building Permit Application and Checklist from the Building Permit Package on the Permits, Licences & Applications page.
3. Submit it with drawings, specifications and the deposit. The pages do not say whether to submit online, in person or by email, so ask staff first.
4. Pay the fee before the permit is issued.
5. Give at least two business days' notice before starting construction, and at least one full working day's notice for each stage inspection (footings, framing and so on).

## Good to know

- Starting work before the permit adds 50% to the fee.
- Offences can bring a court fine of up to $2,000 or six months. A bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid early); a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- Zoning rules apply as well; see the zoning-lookup answer.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application and Checklist, signed by the owner or agent
- Scale drawings and specifications showing dimensions, parcel boundaries, existing structures, driveway access and parking
- The deposit set by Schedule G
- Engineered drawings, site plan, survey, energy compliance documents or a geotechnical report, if required
- A sewage disposal permit, unless the land is on the municipal sewer

## Official forms and pages

- [Permits, Licences & Applications (Building Permit Package), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/application-packages)
- [Building Bylaw No. 972 (PDF)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Hope building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Hope permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Hope secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/secondary-suite.md)
- [Hope zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/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)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/building-permit.md)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/building-permit.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/building-permit.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/building-permit.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/building-permit.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136109/Building%20Bylaw%20%28June%202024%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Permits, Licences & Applications, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/application-packages) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Community Development, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/community-development) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136113/1628%20-%20Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Hope. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/building-permit/_