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Kent building permits: when you need one and how to apply

Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

Kent, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In the District of Kent you need a building permit before new construction, alterations, demolition or changing a building's occupancy. Apply to the Building Department at Municipal Hall in Agassiz with the application form and two copies of plans. The District posts no processing time.

Key facts

Needed forA building permit is required before new construction, alterations, reconstruction, demolition, and removal, relocation or change of occupancy of any building or structure. The homeowner guide also lists additions, finishing a basement, decks, swimming pool fencing, retaining walls over 1 m, and wood-burning chimneys.Building Permits, Building Permits page; Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
You must have a building permit prior to:
Removal, relocation or change of occupancy of any building (or structure)
Complete an unfinished area in an existing building
Construct retaining walls greater than 1 metre (3.28 feet) in height.
Installing a chimney for a wood burning appliance. • Decks.
Not needed forThe Homeowner Guide (general information only) says no permit is needed for cupboards, painting, planters, patios under 600 mm above grade, sidewalks, driveways, fences, roof or siding repair, or one accessory building under 10 m² (no mechanical equipment). Bylaw 1116 lists no exemptions. Work must still meet the Building Code and zoning.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
One accessory building with a floor area less than 10 square metres
Landscaping, including patios less than 600 mm (2.0 feet) above grade;
Roofing repair or replacement
Although the above does not require permits, homeowners are responsible to
These guidelines are for general information
only and should not be used as a substitute for District of Kent Bylaws and Regulations.
How to applyFill in the Building Permit Application form and submit two copies of plans with a plan review application to the Building Department at Municipal Hall, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz. Building enquiries and document uploads go to building@kentbc.ca.Building Permits, Additional Links; Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
For any Building Inquires, or Documentation Uploads please email at building@kentbc.ca.
Submit two copies of plans for the proposed project to the Building Department and
complete a plan review application form.
What to submitTwo copies of scale plans showing the nature and extent of the work, plus the plan review application. Pre-1990 buildings need a WorkSafeBC clearance letter. Signed and sealed engineered drawings, Letters of Assurance and a geotechnical soils report may be required. Proof of ownership may be required.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(d)-(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
If your building was constructed prior to 1990, WorkSafe BC requires a Clearance Letter
Two sets of engineered signed and sealed drawings may be required.
Proof of ownership may be required if you have recently purchased the property
Processing timeNot confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
InspectionsRequest inspections during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at Municipal Hall, by phone at 604-796-2235, fax or in person. Notice is at least one full working day; for next-day inspection request before 4:30 p.m. Two business days' notice is needed before starting construction or covering drains or sewers.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 3(c); Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation), s. 13.01(1)-(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
An inspection can be requested during office hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) from the
Keep in mind that if you require an inspection for the next business day, you must request
the inspection prior to 4:30 pm.
Such notice shall be a minimum of one full working day.
Every holder of a building permit shall give at least two business days’
ContactBuilding Department, District of Kent: 604-796-2235 or building@kentbc.ca. Municipal Hall, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz.Contacts directory, Development Services; Building Permits, Additional Links · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Send Email to Planning Department ### Building Department T: 604-796-2235 Municipal Hall , 7170 Cheam Avenue , Agassiz, BC
### Building Department T: 604-796-2235 Municipal Hall , 7170 Cheam Avenue , Agassiz, BC Send Email to Building Department
- BC Housing (formerly Homeowner Protection Office) For any Building Inquires, or Documentation Uploads please email at building@kentbc.ca. Contact Us
BylawBuilding Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717)Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation), cover; Building Permits, Additional Links · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1116, 1997
Building Reports provide information on the number, type and value of current development in the District. Please contact the Development Services department for recent reports. ## Additional Links - Building Bylaw - Zoning Bylaw - BC Housing (formerly Homeowner Protection Office)

How it works

You must have a building permit before new construction, alterations, reconstruction, demolition, or removal, relocation or change of occupancy of any building or structure, under the District's Building Bylaw No. 1116. The Homeowner Guide also lists additions, finishing a basement, decks, swimming pool fencing, retaining walls over 1 m, and wood-burning chimneys.

The Guide (general information only) says no permit is needed for cupboards, painting, planters, patios under 600 mm above grade, sidewalks, driveways, fences, roof or siding repair, or one accessory building under 10 m² with no mechanical equipment. The bylaw itself lists no exemptions, and work must still meet the BC Building Code and zoning. When in doubt, ask the Building Department.

Steps

  1. Check your zoning first (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Fill in the Building Permit Application form, linked on the District's Building Permits page.
  3. Submit two copies of scale plans with a plan review application to the Building Department at Municipal Hall, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz. Questions and document uploads can go to building@kentbc.ca. No online portal is described.
  4. Buildings from before 1990 need a WorkSafeBC clearance letter. Signed and sealed engineered drawings, Letters of Assurance and a geotechnical soils report may be required, and proof of ownership may be requested.
  5. Book inspections during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 604-796-2235 or in person. Give at least one full working day's notice; request before 4:30 p.m. for a next-day inspection. Two business days' notice is needed before starting construction or covering drains or sewers.

Good to know

  • The District does not state how long a permit takes to issue. A permit not picked up within 30 days of notice that it is ready is forfeited, along with the application fee.
  • The bylaw sets a penalty of up to $2,000 or six months for breaking it.
  • Building Bylaw 1116 is posted as a 2009 consolidation. Confirm current requirements with the Building Department at 604-796-2235.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge

Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building Permits, District of Kent (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Contacts directory, District of Kent (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated) (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.