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Lake Cowichan building permit fees

How much does a building permit cost in Lake Cowichan?

Lake Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Lake Cowichan a building permit costs $100 for work valued at $5,000 or less. Above that, Schedule A of the Building Bylaw sets 1% of the estimated value plus a minimum of $100. Work started without a permit costs double.

Key facts

Lowest fee$100 for construction value not exceeding $5,000.Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Construction Value not exceeding $5,000
of $100 payable
How the fee is worked outOver $5,000: 1% of estimated value plus a minimum of $100, as Schedule A words it. Value can be a professional appraisal or Schedule B rates per ft² of gross floor area (for example main floor with full basement $180, crawlspace or slab $140, second floor $100, finished garage $50, deck $40). Work without a valid permit: double fee.Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedule A and B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Additional fee for construction value exceeding $5,000
1% of estimated value plus minimum
Main floor with full basement 180.00
Main floor with crawlspace 140.00
Garage (finished) (attached or detached) 50.00
Deck 40.00
Construction without a valid permit
Application or plan review feePlan review before inspection: $100. The bylaw does not say whether it counts toward the permit fee. 70% of the permit fee is refundable if no work has begun.Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedule A (Other) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Reviewing plans before inspection
Building permit application refund if no work has begun.
70 percent (70 %)
Other feesPlumbing: $24 minimum (one or two fixtures), then $12 per fixture. Demolition permit $100. Permit to move a building $500. Re-inspection or callback $50. Deposits: demolition $5,000, damage to Town property $3,000.Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Minimum fee (One or two fixtures)
$ 24.00
$ 12.00 per fixture
Demolition of building or structure (does not include disconnection
$500.00
Callback inspection
Security for demolishing building or structure
$ 5,000
Security for Damage to Town Property
$ 3,000
How to payThe Building Inspector must issue the permit once the applicant pays the Schedule A permit fee and all other fees and charges. The pages read do not state payment methods.Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, s. 6(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
the owner or owner’s agent pays the permit fee prescribed by Schedule “A”; and
the owner or owner’s agent pays all other fees and charges and meets all requirements
BylawBuilding Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedule A (Schedule of Permit Fees and Deposits for Building Construction) and Schedule B (Construction Valuation Schedule)Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022, Schedules A and B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
SCHEDULE OF PERMIT FEES AND DEPOSITS FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION VALUATION SCHEDULE

How it works

Fees are in Schedule A (permit fees and deposits) and Schedule B (construction valuation) of the Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022. The Town's Fees and Charges Bylaw has no building permit schedule.

  • Value of $5,000 or less: $100.
  • Value over $5,000: 1% of the estimated value plus a minimum of $100, as Schedule A words it. The wording is unclear about whether the 1% applies to the whole value or only the part over $5,000, so ask the Building Inspector.
  • The value can be a professional appraisal or the Schedule B rates per ft² of gross floor area. Examples: main floor with full basement $180, crawlspace or slab $140, second floor $100, finished garage $50, deck $40.
  • Work done without a valid permit: double fee.

Steps

  1. Ask the Building Inspector (250-749-6681 ext. 104) for the valuation of your project.
  2. Pay the Schedule A permit fee and all other fees and charges. The Building Inspector must issue the permit once you have paid them. The Town's pages do not state payment methods.

Good to know

  • Plan review before inspection: $100. The bylaw does not say whether it counts toward the permit fee.
  • 70% of the permit fee is refundable if no work has begun.
  • Plumbing: $24 minimum (one or two fixtures), then $12 per fixture.
  • Demolition permit $100. Permit to move a building $500. Re-inspection or callback $50.
  • Deposits: demolition $5,000; damage to Town property $3,000.
  • The fee drops 10% for plans certified by an architect with Schedules A, B-1 and B-2.
  • The Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw 1127-2025 (effective February 1, 2026) lists a Zoning Compliance letter of comfort at $250 and a Building Permit Register at $15 per monthly report.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Ladysmith · Duncan · North Cowichan · Nanaimo · North Saanich · Highlands

Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building Bylaw No. 1075-2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw No. 1127-2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Building Inspection, Town of Lake Cowichan (read 2026-11-08)

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.