---
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?"
place: Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/langley-township
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Langley
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Langley, https://www.tol.ca)  
**Cost:** See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The Township does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Permits, Licences and Inspections, 604-533-6018
- Email: Building information, buildinginfo@tol.ca
- In person: Civic Facility (Municipal Hall), 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 (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.))

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.1; s. 2.0](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Permit is required for all Construction." … ""Construction" includes erect, repair, alter, add, install, demolish, remove,"
  - Source: [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Guide, first page](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** 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.
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 2.0 ("Structure")](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential Building Permits, Residential Building Permits page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Paper applications will no longer be accepted where digital submission is available."
  - Source: [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Application](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)
  - Official wording: "Applications are now accepted online at tol.ca/buildingpermits."
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 5.4 a)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be submitted in the electronic format prescribed by the Building Inspector."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Application](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)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** 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.
  - Source: [Building Inspections, Building Inspections page](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, s. 9.2 a)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "give the Township not less than 24 hours notice when requesting"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings, Guide footer](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)
  - Official wording: "Office: 604-533-6018 | buildinginfo@tol.ca | tol.ca"
  - Source: [Contact Us, Hours of operation](https://www.tol.ca/en/connect/contact-us.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Building Department - Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm. Building permit applications are accepted between 8:30am and 3:30pm."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Langley Building Bylaw 2008 No. 4642
  - Source: [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "LANGLEY BUILDING BYLAW 2008 NO. 4642"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

The 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.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning first (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Apply online through the Township's eApply system at tol.ca/buildingpermits. Paper applications are no longer accepted where digital submission is available.
3. 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.
4. 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- The checklist above is for additions, alterations and accessory buildings. Other permit types have their own checklists.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf)
- [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)](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)
- [Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx)
- [Building Inspections, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx)

## Related questions

- [Township of Langley building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Township of Langley permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite.md)
- [Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/building-permit.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Langley Building Bylaw 2008, No. 4642 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Langley-Building-Bylaw-(No.-4642%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Construction Guide: Additions, Alterations and Accessory Buildings (PDF)](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) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Residential Building Permits, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/residential-building-permits.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Inspections, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/building-development/building-inspections.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Us, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/connect/contact-us.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Township of Langley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit/_