Ladysmith building permit fees
How much does a building permit cost in Ladysmith?
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.
Key facts
| Lowest fee | $150 minimum building permit fee.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMinimum Building or Plumbing Permit fee $150.00 |
|---|---|
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5; Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, Appendix A; Building Permit Fees, Building Valuation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPermit fee based on percent of Value of Work 1.10% Main floor with full basement $165 Secondary Suite $90 Attached garages $50 or the value of construction stated on the building permit application whichever is higher. |
| 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.Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, s. 10.8; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAn 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; File review fee by a Building Official $75.00 per hour |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFirst 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 |
| 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.Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, ss. 10.7, 10.13, 10.18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBefore 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 |
| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation, Schedule 5; Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174, Appendix A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTown of Ladysmith Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 Bylaw 2191 SCHEDULE "5" Building & Plumbing Bylaw Fees Consolidated Version as on October 4, 2024 Appendix A - Value of Work |
How it works
Fees are set in Schedule 5 of the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1644, with values of work from Appendix A of the Building & Plumbing Bylaw No. 2174. 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
- Ask Development Services which rates apply to your project.
- Pay the refundable deposit at application: $2,500 for a simple building permit, $1,500 for alterations only.
- 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
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Duncan · Lake Cowichan · Nanaimo · North Saanich · Sidney
Sources
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2008, No. 1644 consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
- Building Permit Fees, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
- Building & Plumbing Bylaw 2024, No. 2174 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (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. How answers are checked.