{"title":"Nanaimo building permit fees","question":"How much does a building permit cost?","slug":"building-permit-fees","place":{"path":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","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":"City of Nanaimo","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca"},"short_answer":"A City of Nanaimo building permit costs $105 for the minimum and the first $1,000 of construction value, plus $10 per $1,000 up to $100,000 and $7 per $1,000 above that. Plumbing and other fees are extra. Jobs over $20,000 pay a 10 percent application fee up front.","aliases":["building permit fee nanaimo","how much is a building permit nanaimo","permit fee calculator nanaimo"],"cost":"$105 minimum and first $1,000; $10 per $1,000 from $1,000.01 to $100,000; $7 per $1,000 above $100,000. Plumbing $40 minimum plus $8 per fixture. Re-inspection $150.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Building Permit Fee Calculator","value":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/permit-fee-calculator"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Inspections","value":"250-755-4429"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Inspections","value":"building.inspections@nanaimo.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Permit Fee Calculator","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/permit-fee-calculator"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF)","url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Nanaimo building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit-fees/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/building-permit-fees/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees/"},"facts":{"minimum_fee":{"label":"Lowest fee","value":"$105, which covers the minimum fee and the first $1,000 of construction value.","short":"$105 (includes first $1,000 of value)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"Schedule A, Development Services Fees, Building Inspection Section","quotes":["Minimum fee and first $1000 of Construction Value (CV) $105"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_formula":{"label":"How the fee is worked out","value":"$105 for the first $1,000 of construction value, plus $10 per $1,000 from $1,000.01 to $100,000, plus $7 per $1,000 above $100,000. A 5% reduction applies when an architect or engineer provides a Letter of Assurance and the inspector confirms in writing that the City is relying on it.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"Schedule A, Building Permit Value of Construction","quotes":["Minimum fee and first $1000 of Construction Value (CV) $105","Additional fee for CV from $1,000.01 - $100,000 $10/$1,000","Additional fee for CV from $100,000.01 - Greater $7/$1,000","Five percent reduction in the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"application_fee":{"label":"Application or plan review fee","value":"When the estimated construction value is over $20,000, an application fee of 10% of the estimated building permit fee (minimum $175) is paid at application. It counts toward the permit fee, but the City keeps it if you do not proceed with the project.","short":"10% of permit fee, minimum $175 (value over $20,000)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"Schedule A, Application Fees","quotes":["of construction exceeds $20,000 shall pay 10 percent of the","issuance - minimum $175","The fee paid shall be applied towards the total cost of the","with the project, the City will retain the fee."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees","value":"Plumbing permit $40 minimum plus $8 per fixture. Re-inspection $150. Special inspection of an existing building $100. Permit renewal $100 (value up to $50,000) or $250. Bond for new residential construction $750, refundable after occupancy approval if City property is undamaged. Pre-2005 suite authorization $500 minimum. Accelerated single-family review $150 surcharge.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"Schedule A, Building Inspection Section","quotes":["Minimum Charge $40","Per fixture (includes swimming pools, interceptors, hot water $8","shall be $150.","The fee for a requested inspection of an existing building. $100","$0 - $50,000 $100","$50,000.01 - greater $250","Where a permit is required in order to authorize an illegal suite $500 minimum","may request that the Building Permit review be accelerated."]},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/property-development/building-permits/residentialbuildingpermitapplicationguide.pdf","title":"Residential Building Permit Application Guide (PDF)","section":"Charges for a Building Permit, Bond Fee","quotes":["Refundable after occupancy approval, providing there is no damage to City services, roads, sidewalks, etc."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_pay":{"label":"How to pay","value":"The application fee (for work over $20,000) is requested after the online application is accepted; the remainder of the fees must be paid before the permit is issued. The pages read do not say which payment methods are accepted for building permits.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"Schedule A, Application Fees","quotes":["The remainder of the applicable fees shall be","payable prior to issuance of a Building Permit."]},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/property-development/building-permits/residentialbuildingpermitapplicationguide.pdf","title":"Residential Building Permit Application Guide (PDF)","section":"Application Requirements","quotes":["The application fee will be requested after your online BP application has been accepted."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A (Development Services Fees, Building Inspection Section)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","section":"s. 1 and 2, Schedule A","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as \"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336\".","BUILDING INSPECTION SECTION"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Nanaimo sets building permit fees in Schedule A of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf). The main fee depends on the value of the construction. The City's Building Permit Fee Calculator gives a rough figure only; it leaves out connection, plumbing fixture and sprinkler fees.\n\n## Main fee\n\n- $105 covers the minimum fee and the first $1,000 of construction value.\n- $1,000.01 to $100,000: add $10 per $1,000.\n- Over $100,000: add $7 per $1,000.\n- If an architect or engineer provides a Letter of Assurance and the inspector confirms in writing that the City relies on it, the fee is reduced by 5 percent.\n\n## Other fees\n\n- Application fee: when the estimated construction value is over $20,000, 10 percent of the estimated permit fee (minimum $175) is paid at application. It counts toward the permit fee, but the City keeps it if you do not proceed.\n- Plumbing permit: $40 minimum plus $8 per fixture.\n- Re-inspection: $150. Special inspection of an existing building: $100.\n- Permit renewal: $100 (work valued up to $50,000) or $250.\n- Bond for new residential construction: $750, refundable after occupancy approval if City property is undamaged.\n- Accelerated single-family review: $150 surcharge.\n- Authorizing a suite built before 2005: $500 minimum.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The application fee is requested after the online application is accepted; the rest is paid before the permit is issued. The City's pages do not say which payment methods are accepted, so ask Building Inspections.\n- Demolition, moving, sign, sprinkler and service pipe fees are also in the schedule.\n- Development Cost Charges and School Site Acquisition Charges are separate.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/permit-fee-calculator","title":"Building Permit Fee Calculator, City of Nanaimo","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/property-development/building-permits/residentialbuildingpermitapplicationguide.pdf","title":"Residential Building Permit Application Guide (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.json"}}