{"title":"Ladysmith building permit fees","question":"How much does a building permit cost in Ladysmith?","slug":"building-permit-fees","place":{"path":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","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":"Town of Ladysmith","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca"},"short_answer":"In Ladysmith a building permit costs 1.10% of the value of the work, with a $150 minimum, plus applicable taxes. You also pay a refundable damage deposit at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit or $1,500 for alterations only.","aliases":["building permit fees ladysmith","how much is a building permit ladysmith","ladysmith permit cost","ladysmith damage deposit building"],"cost":"1.10% of the value of the work, $150 minimum, plus a refundable deposit ($2,500 or $1,500).","how_long":"Fee is paid before the permit is issued.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-245-6415"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"ds@ladysmith.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Development Services, 132 Roberts Street, Unit C","value":"132 Roberts Street, Unit C, Ladysmith, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except holidays)."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF)","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Ladysmith building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Ladysmith permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Ladysmith zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit-fees/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees/"},"facts":{"minimum_fee":{"label":"Lowest fee","value":"$150 minimum building permit fee.","short":"$150","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["Minimum Building or Plumbing Permit fee $150.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_formula":{"label":"How the fee is worked out","value":"1.10% of the value of the work. For houses and their accessory buildings the value uses set rates per sq. ft. (for example $165 for a main floor with full basement, $90 for a secondary suite, $50 for an attached garage), or the value stated on the application if higher.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["Permit fee based on percent of Value of Work 1.10%"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2","title":"Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Appendix A","quotes":["Main floor with full basement $165","Secondary Suite $90","Attached garages $50"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees","title":"Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Building Valuation","quotes":["or the value of construction stated on the building permit application whichever is higher."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"application_fee":{"label":"Application or plan review fee","value":"No separate application fee is listed. A refundable damage/security deposit is paid at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit, $1,500 for alterations only. A building official's file review is $75 an hour.","short":"None set; $2,500 refundable deposit (simple permit)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2","title":"Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"s. 10.8","quotes":["An applicant for a permit must pay to the Town, at the time of the application,","for a simple building permit: $2,500.00;","for a simple building permit (alterations only): $1,500.00;"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["File review fee by a Building Official $75.00 per hour"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees","value":"Plumbing: $24 for 1 to 2 fixtures, $12 per fixture for 3 or more. Demolition: $150 (building 186 m² or less) or $250. Driveway access permit $50. Re-inspection $200. Permit extension $250. Fee doubles if work starts before the permit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["First 1-2 fixtures $24.00","3 or more fixtures $12.00/fixture","Building floor area of 186.0 sq.m (2,000 sq.ft) or less $150.00","Driveway Access Permit fee $50.00","Re-inspection fee or inspections under 10.50 $200.00","Permit extension fee $250.00","Permit fee x2"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_pay":{"label":"How to pay","value":"The permit fee must be paid before the permit is issued. No permit fee is refunded after the permit is issued. An application is cancelled if the fees are not paid within 180 days of the Town's notice that it is ready to issue.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2","title":"Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 10.7, 10.13, 10.18","quotes":["Before receiving a permit, the owner must first pay to the Town","No building permit fee or other permit fee will be refunded after the permit is","fees are not paid within 180 days from the date of notification to the applicant"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644, Schedule 5 (Building & Plumbing Bylaw Fees), as amended by Bylaw 2191. Values of work: Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, Appendix A.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["Town of Ladysmith Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644","Bylaw 2191 SCHEDULE \"5\"","Building & Plumbing Bylaw Fees","Consolidated Version as on October 4, 2024"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2","title":"Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Appendix A","quotes":["Appendix A - Value of Work"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nFees are set in Schedule 5 of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1644](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf), with values of work from Appendix A of the [Building & Plumbing Bylaw No. 2174](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2). The permit fee is 1.10% of the value of the work, with a $150 minimum. For houses and their accessory buildings the value uses set rates per square foot, or the value stated on the application if higher. All fees are subject to applicable taxes.\n\nRates per square foot include $165 for a main floor with full basement, $135 for a main floor with crawlspace or slab, $90 for each additional storey, $90 for a secondary suite, $60 for an unfinished basement, $50 for an attached garage, $30 for an attached carport, $30 for a sundeck, and $50 for an ancillary building over 10 m². Other building types use the architect's estimate or a valuation service.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask Development Services which rates apply to your project.\n2. Pay the refundable deposit at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit, $1,500 for alterations only.\n3. Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No separate application fee is listed. A building official's file review is $75 an hour.\n- The deposit is returned once the building official is satisfied there is no damage and the inspections and occupancy permit are complete. Other deposits: demolition $3,500, moving $5,000.\n- Other fees: plumbing $24 for 1 to 2 fixtures and $12 per fixture for 3 or more; demolition $150 (building 186 m² or less) or $250; driveway access permit $50; re-inspection $200; permit extension $250. The fee doubles if work starts before the permit.\n- A 5% fee reduction (maximum $500) applies when professional design letters of assurance are provided.\n- No permit fee is refunded after the permit is issued. An application is cancelled if fees are not paid within 180 days of the Town's notice.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees","title":"Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2","title":"Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees.json"}}