---
title: Ladysmith building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost in Ladysmith?"
place: Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/ladysmith
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Ladysmith
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Ladysmith building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost in Ladysmith?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Ladysmith, https://www.ladysmith.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-245-6415
- Email: Development Services, ds@ladysmith.ca
- In person: Development Services, 132 Roberts Street, Unit C, 132 Roberts Street, Unit C, Ladysmith, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except holidays).)

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $150 minimum building permit fee.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Minimum Building or Plumbing Permit fee $150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Permit fee based on percent of Value of Work 1.10%"
  - Source: [Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, Appendix A](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2)
  - Official wording: "Main floor with full basement $165" … "Secondary Suite $90" … "Attached garages $50"
  - Source: [Building Permit Fees, Building Valuation](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "or the value of construction stated on the building permit application whichever is higher."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, s. 10.8](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "File review fee by a Building Official $75.00 per hour"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** 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.
  - Source: [Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, ss. 10.7, 10.13, 10.18](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, Appendix A](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2)
  - Official wording: "Appendix A - Value of Work"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Fees 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.

Rates 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.

## Steps

1. Ask Development Services which rates apply to your project.
2. Pay the refundable deposit at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit, $1,500 for alterations only.
3. Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.

## Good to know

- No separate application fee is listed. A building official's file review is $75 an hour.
- 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.
- 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.
- A 5% fee reduction (maximum $500) applies when professional design letters of assurance are provided.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Ladysmith building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit.md)
- [Ladysmith permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Ladysmith zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1644-fees-and-charges-consolidation.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/building-permits/building-permit-fees) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2174_building-and-plumbing-bylaw-2024404b94fa7dea659dad49ff0000e75dbc.pdf?sfvrsn=c2a1f1db_2) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Ladysmith. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees/_