{"title":"Township of Langley building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","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":"Township of Langley","url":"https://www.tol.ca"},"short_answer":"In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley) a permit is required for all construction, including new buildings, additions, basement finishing, secondary suites and retaining walls over 1.2 m. Apply online through the Township's eApply system. The Township does not state a processing time.","aliases":["building permit township of langley","do i need a permit langley township","building permit application langley township","building inspection langley township"],"cost":"See the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"The Township does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Permits, Licences and Inspections","value":"604-533-6018"},{"type":"email","label":"Building information","value":"buildinginfo@tol.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Civic Facility (Municipal Hall)","value":"20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building permit applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf"},{"title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf"},{"title":"Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx"},{"title":"Building Inspections, Township of Langley","url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Township of Langley building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Township of Langley permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Township of Langley secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/white-rock","name":"White Rock","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"A permit is required for all construction (erecting, repairing, altering, adding, installing, demolishing, removing, excavating). The Township's guide lists new buildings, additions and alterations, basement finishing, secondary suites, chimneys and wood stoves, retaining walls over 1.2 m, and new plumbing fixtures.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.1; s. 2.0","quotes":["A Permit is required for all Construction.","\"Construction\" includes erect, repair, alter, add, install, demolish, remove,"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf","title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","section":"Guide, first page","quotes":["finish a basement or construct a secondary suite","construct retaining walls over 1.2 m in height","install new plumbing fixtures or re-arrange piping"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"The Building Bylaw (s. 5.9) says no permit is needed to clear stoppages, replace a hot water tank, or repair leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures without replacing or re-arranging them. Its definition of \"Structure\" excludes paving, fences and landscaping.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.0 (\"Structure\")","quotes":["specifically excludes paving, fences, and landscaping","No permit is required for clearing of stoppages, replacing a hot water tank, or","repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, when such repairs do not"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply online through the Township's eApply system (tol.ca/buildingpermits). Paper applications are no longer accepted where digital submission is available. The bylaw requires the application in the electronic format the Building Inspector prescribes.","short":"Online (eApply)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx","title":"Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley","section":"Residential Building Permits page","quotes":["Paper applications will no longer be accepted where digital submission is available."]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf","title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","section":"Application","quotes":["Applications are now accepted online at tol.ca/buildingpermits."]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.4 a)","quotes":["be submitted in the electronic format prescribed by the Building Inspector."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"Application form and checklist, a land title search or freehold transfer no older than 30 days, a site plan, building plans (sealed by a structural engineer if applicable), soil declaration, and an erosion and sediment control form. Septic properties need extra forms.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf","title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","section":"Application","quotes":["a Building Permit Application form and checklist, completed and signed","Title Search or a Freehold Transfer (no older than 30 days prior to permit application)","site plan - disclosure of rights-of-way, watercourses, or easements on the property","building plans, signed and sealed by a structural engineer, if applicable","a completed and signed Soil Declaration form","an Erosion and Sediment Control form"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The official pages do not state this detail.","sources":[]},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"Request inspections online through eInspections in your MyTownship account. Requests must be in by 3:30 p.m. on the business day before; next-day inspections are not guaranteed. The bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx","title":"Building Inspections, Township of Langley","section":"Building Inspections page","quotes":["All building permit inspection requests must be submitted through eInspections.","Building Inspection requests must be submitted at a minimum by 3:30pm on the business day prior to the day of inspection"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"s. 9.2 a)","quotes":["give the Township not less than 24 hours notice when requesting"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Permits, Licences and Inspections, 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley: 604-533-6018, buildinginfo@tol.ca. Building Department hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf","title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","section":"Guide footer","quotes":["Office: 604-533-6018 | buildinginfo@tol.ca | tol.ca"]},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/connect/contact-us.aspx","title":"Contact Us, Township of Langley","section":"Hours of operation","quotes":["Building Department - Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm. Building permit applications are accepted between 8:30am and 3:30pm."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008 No. 4642","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["LANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Township of Langley is a separate municipality from the City of Langley. Under its [Building Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf), a permit is required for all construction, which includes erecting, repairing, altering, adding, installing, demolishing, removing and excavating. The Township's [residential construction guide](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf) lists new buildings, additions and alterations, finishing a basement, secondary suites, chimneys and wood stoves, retaining walls over 1.2 m, and new plumbing fixtures.\n\nThe bylaw says no permit is needed to clear stoppages, replace a hot water tank, or repair leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures without replacing or re-arranging them. Its definition of \"Structure\" excludes paving, fences and landscaping.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zoning first (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Apply online through the Township's eApply system at tol.ca/buildingpermits. Paper applications are no longer accepted where digital submission is available.\n3. Submit the application form and checklist, a land title search or freehold transfer no older than 30 days, a site plan, building plans (sealed by a structural engineer if applicable), a soil declaration, and an erosion and sediment control form. Properties on septic need extra forms.\n4. Request inspections online through eInspections in your MyTownship account. Requests must be in by 3:30 p.m. on the business day before, and next-day inspections are not guaranteed. The bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The Township does not state how long a permit takes. Its guide says issuing may be delayed by application volume, project complexity and completeness. Call 604-533-6018 for a current estimate.\n- The checklist above is for additions, alterations and accessory buildings. Other permit types have their own checklists.\n- The Building Department is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; applications are accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642).pdf","title":"Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/resources/building/bulletins-forms-resources/Document-Feed-Building-Forms/PLI---Residential-Construction---Additions,-Alterations-and-Accessory-Buildings.pdf","title":"Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx","title":"Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx","title":"Building Inspections, Township of Langley","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.tol.ca/en/connect/contact-us.aspx","title":"Contact Us, Township of Langley","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 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.json"}}