Langford building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Langford you need a building permit from the City's Building Department to build a new structure over 10 m² (107 ft²), add floor area, alter the inside or outside of a structure, or move or demolish one. Apply through the City's Online Permit Portal or in person at City Hall.
Key facts
| Needed for | Erecting a new structure over 10 m² (107 ft²); adding floor area or components; finishing or altering the inside or outside of a structure; moving or demolishing a structure; installing, altering or repairing plumbing or fire sprinklers (plumbing permit). The list is "not limited to" these. Fireplaces, chimneys and solid fuel appliances also need a permit.Building Permits, Permit information; Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 2.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingErecting any new structure greater than 10 m2 or 107 ft2 Adding floor area and/or components to an existing structure Moving or demolishing a structure Building permits are issued for, but not limited to No person shall construct a new building, or alter, reconstruct, demolish, remove, repair or relocate an existing building unless a building permit authorizing the work has been |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | No building permit is required for replacing roofing materials or exterior cladding. A plumbing permit is not required to repair or replace a valve, faucet, fixture or water heater, clear a stoppage or repair a leak if the piping does not change. The bylaw also does not apply to buildings listed in s. 1.1.1.1(2)(a) to (h) of the BC Building Code.Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 2.1.4; Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 2.1.3; Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 1.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbut no permit shall be required for the replacement of roofing materials or exterior cladding a plumbing permit is not required when a valve, faucet, fixture or service water heater is repaired or replaced, a stoppage is cleared or a leak is repaired if no change to the piping is required this bylaw does not apply to buildings referred to in s.1.1.1.1(2)(a) thru (h) of the British Columbia Building Code |
| How to apply | Online through the City's Online Permit Portal, or in person at Langford City Hall.Building Permits, Permit applications · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPermit applications can be submitted online through the Online Permit Portal, or in person at Langford City Hall. |
| What to submit | Application form; site plan; floor plans; cross-section; exterior elevations; structural plans as required; owner's authorization of agent if applicable; proof of ownership if acquired within 3 months; Letters of Assurance (Schedule B) from registered professionals if applicable. New homes also need energy advisor details and a land survey where building close to a setback.One and Two Family Residential Building Permit Applications checklist, Residential Renovations/Additions checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDRAWINGS REQUIRED Floor plans (include all floors, clearly show a distinction between existing and new) Exterior elevations (each side of the building) Proof of Ownership (if property was acquired within the last 3 months) Letters of Assurance - Schedule B's from registered professionals (if applicable) Energy Advisor Letter of Engagement and Step Code Compliance Details (for new construction) |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail. |
| Inspections | Call (250) 474-6692 or email building@langford.ca. Requests received before noon will try to be accommodated for next-day inspections. The bylaw requires owners to give at least 24 hours' notice. A BC Land Survey must be received and approved before a framing inspection can be booked (since January 1, 2026).Building Permits, Inspections; Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), s. 2.2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingInspections can be requested by calling (250) 474-6692 or emailing building@langford.ca. Requests received before noon will try to be accommodated for next day inspections. You will be unable to book a framing inspection until this has been completed. every owner shall give at least 24 hours notice to the Chief Building Official and obtain a field inspection of the work |
| Contact | Langford Building Department, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue. Phone 250-474-6692, email building@langford.ca.Who Can Obtain a Permit, footer · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingt 250.474.6692 e building@langford.ca 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (consolidated to June 1, 2026)Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026) |
How it works
Under Building Bylaw No. 1160, no one may build, alter, repair, move or demolish a building without a building permit. The City's page lists permits for erecting a new structure over 10 m² (107 ft²), adding floor area or components, finishing or altering the inside or outside of a structure, and moving or demolishing a structure. The list is "not limited to" these. Plumbing and fire sprinkler work needs a plumbing permit, and fireplaces, chimneys and solid fuel appliances need one too.
The bylaw says you do not need a building permit to replace roofing materials or exterior cladding. A plumbing permit is also not needed to repair or replace a valve, faucet, fixture or water heater, clear a stoppage or fix a leak, if the piping does not change.
Steps
- Call the Building Department (250-474-6692) if you are unsure. The City encourages owners to ask first.
- Find the checklist for your type of project on the Building Permits page.
- Prepare the application form, site plan, floor plans, cross-section and elevations, plus the other documents listed above. New homes also need energy advisor details and, where you build close to a setback, a land survey.
- Apply through the Online Permit Portal or in person at City Hall.
- Book inspections by phone (250-474-6692) or email (building@langford.ca). Requests received before noon will try to be accommodated for next-day inspections; the bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice.
Good to know
- The Building Permits page does not state a processing time, and neither does the bylaw. Ask the Building Department.
- Since January 1, 2026, a BC Land Survey must be received and approved before a framing inspection can be booked.
- The bylaw does not say whether a small structure of 10 m² or less needs a permit. The City's enforcement page says decks, sheds and suites often do, so call before you build.
- Starting work without a permit doubles the permit fee.
What you'll need
- Application form
- Site plan, floor plans, cross-section and exterior elevations
- Structural plans, as required
- Owner's Authorization of Agent form, if someone applies for you
- Proof of ownership, if you acquired the property within the last 3 months
- Letters of Assurance (Schedule B) from registered professionals, if applicable
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Highlands · Colwood · View Royal · Esquimalt · Metchosin · Sooke
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, City of Langford (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 1160, 2008 (Consolidated to June 1, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Who Can Obtain a Permit, City of Langford (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- One and Two Family Residential Building Permit Applications checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Langford (read 2026-11-05)
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.