Hope building permits: when you need one and how to apply
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.
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.Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 12.01; Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery 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. Decks and covered patios Garages, accessory buildings, and detached structures |
|---|---|
| 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.Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 1.01 "construction"; s. 12.01(h); Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 12.01(h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingexcept 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 all other construction or repairs to a structure if the value of construction is |
| 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.Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package; Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 10.01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis 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. be signed by the owner(s) or agent with identification of the signature |
| 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.Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 10.01; Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcopies in triplicate of the specifications and scale driveway access and parking arrangements be accompanied by the applicable deposit in accordance with Schedule G additional documentation may be required, including engineered drawings, site plans, surveys, energy compliance documentation, geotechnical reports, or other supporting information. |
| 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.Permits, Licences & Applications, Building Permit Package; Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, s. 13.01, 13.02 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIt is the responsibility of the permit holder to schedule required inspections before proceeding to the next stage of work. give a minimum of one full working days notice shall give at least two business days notice to the building inspector |
| 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.Community Development, Contact information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor 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 |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 972 (consolidated to June 2024)Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 972 (CONSOLIDATED TO JUNE 2024) |
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 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
- 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.
- Fill in the Building Permit Application and Checklist from the Building Permit Package on the Permits, Licences & Applications page.
- 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.
- Pay the fee before the permit is issued.
- 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
The same question in other places
Kent · Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Princeton · Abbotsford · Mission
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Bylaw No. 972, consolidated to June 2024 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Permits, Licences & Applications, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Community Development, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (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. How answers are checked.