---
title: "Mackenzie building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/mackenzie
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Mackenzie
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit.json"
---

# Mackenzie 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 Mackenzie you need a District building permit before you build, repair or alter a structure, add floor area or height, build a permanent swimming pool, or work on a chimney or fireplace. Apply in person at the District office, 1 Mackenzie Blvd, with the Building Permit Application Form.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Mackenzie, https://districtofmackenzie.ca)  
**Cost:** Based on the value of the work, with a $50 minimum, under Building Bylaw Schedule C. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The District's website and the Building Bylaw do not state a processing time. Ask the Building Inspector.  
**Where:**
- In person: District Main Office (permit applications), 1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Public Works (Building Inspection), 250-997-3761
- Phone: District Main Office, 250-997-3221

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is needed before new construction, repair, reconstruction or alteration of a structure (adding floor area or height, removing walls or beams), a permanent swimming pool, or chimney and fireplace work. The District page also lists demolition, change of use or occupancy, and decks 24 inches or higher above the ground.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 2.1 and s. 9.1.1](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A permit is required whenever work regulated by this bylaw" … "the installation of a permanent swimming pool"
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Demolishing a building" … "Changing the use or occupancy of a building" … "Building a deck that is 24 inches or higher above the ground"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Not needed for:** The Building Bylaw has no list of exempt work. A fence is not a 'structure' under it, so a fence needs no building permit under this bylaw. No plumbing permit is needed to repair or replace a fixture, valve or faucet, clear a stoppage or repair a leak if the piping does not change.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 3.1 "structure"](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "but excludes a fence" … "A plumbing permit shall not be required when a fixture, valve or faucet is repaired or replaced, a stoppage cleared or a leak repaired if no change to the piping is required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** In person at the District office, 1 Mackenzie Blvd, using the Building Permit Application Form. Contractors must hold a valid District business licence. A valid development permit is required first when building a new building or structure.
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Apply for a building permit at our office, 1 Mackenzie Blvd." … "All contractors must have or obtain a valid District of Mackenzie business license."
  - Source: [Building Permits, Development Permits](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "You are required to have a valid development permit before you can apply for a building permit to construct a building or structure"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **What to submit:** A signed application (Schedule A form, signed by the owner or an agent authorized in writing), the fee, and duplicate copies of the specifications and scale drawings with a site plan showing the structure's dimensions and location on the parcel. A BC engineer or architect must prepare the drawings if the structure is outside the Building Code or the building inspector requires it.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 13.1.1 to 13.1.3](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be signed by the owner, or an agent authorized in writing by the owner" … "copies in duplicate of the specification and scale drawings of the structure" … "be accompanied by the fee set out in Schedule"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 13.2.1](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a professional engineer or architect registered in the Province of British Columbia shall prepare and sign all drawings"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Processing time:** Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail.
- **Inspections:** The permit holder must give at least two days' notice (counting days the District offices are open) to the building inspector and call for each inspection stage. Book by calling Public Works at 250-997-3761.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 14](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall give at least two days notice where a"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Inspections](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "For general inquiries or to book an appointment, please call Public Works 250-997-3761"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Contact:** Public Works (Building Inspection): 250-997-3761. Permit applications at the District office, 1 Mackenzie Blvd. District main office 250-997-3221.
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "For building code questions, please contact our Building Inspector at 250-997-3761." … "Apply for a building permit at our office, 1 Mackenzie Blvd."
  - Source: [Building Inspector notice, Building Inspector - New Hours](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/building-inspector-new-hours/)
  - Official wording: "Please contact our office at 250-997-3761 to book an appointment."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, as amended by Building Amendment Bylaws No. 1185 (2006) and No. 1320 (2014).
  - Source: [Bylaws and Regulations, Frequently requested bylaws](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 1066, Amended by 1185, 1320"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320, s. 4.1](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1320, 2014" … "Building Amendment Bylaw No. 1185, 2006"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Mackenzie's Building Bylaw No. 1066 requires a permit before new construction, repair, reconstruction or alteration of a structure (including adding floor area or height, or removing walls or beams), a permanent swimming pool, and chimney or fireplace work. The District's Building Permits page also lists demolition, a change of use or occupancy, and decks 24 inches or higher above the ground. The bylaw also covers moving a structure.

The bylaw has no list of exempt work. It says a fence is not a "structure", so a fence needs no building permit under this bylaw. Plumbing permits are not needed to repair or replace a fixture, valve or faucet, clear a stoppage or repair a leak if the piping does not change.

## Steps

1. Check your zone and what it allows (see the zoning-lookup answer). If you are building a new building or structure, the District says you need a valid development permit before you apply for a building permit.
2. Fill in the Building Permit Application Form and prepare duplicate drawings and a site plan.
3. Take them to the District office with the fee. Contractors must hold a valid District business licence.
4. Once the fee is paid, the building inspector issues the permit.
5. Call for each inspection stage: before concrete in footings and foundations, after damp proofing and perimeter drains, at framing, at insulation and vapour barrier, and a final inspection before you occupy the building.

## Good to know

- Give the building inspector at least two days' notice (counting days the District offices are open) for each inspection. Book through Public Works at 250-997-3761.
- A District notice from 2023 said the Building Inspector sees people by appointment only. Call 250-997-3761 to confirm current hours.
- No online application is mentioned on the District's page.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application Form, signed by the owner or by an agent authorized in writing
- Duplicate copies of the specifications and scale drawings, with a site plan showing the structure and its location on the parcel
- Drawings prepared by a BC engineer or architect, if the structure is outside the Building Code or the building inspector requires it
- The permit fee

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320 (PDF)](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/building-permit.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/building-permit.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/building-permit.md)
- [Fort St James](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/building-permit.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/building-permit.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/business-development/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000, with amending Bylaws 1185 and 1320 (PDF), District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Inspector notice, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/building-inspector-new-hours/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 District of Mackenzie. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit/_