Nanaimo building permit fees

How much does a building permit cost?

Nanaimo, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

How it works

The City of Nanaimo sets building permit fees in Schedule A of the Fees and Charges Bylaw. 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.

Main fee

• $105 covers the minimum fee and the first $1,000 of construction value.
• $1,000.01 to $100,000: add $10 per $1,000.
• Over $100,000: add $7 per $1,000.
• 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.

Other fees

• 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.
• Plumbing permit: $40 minimum plus $8 per fixture.
• Re-inspection: $150. Special inspection of an existing building: $100.
• Permit renewal: $100 (work valued up to $50,000) or $250.
• Bond for new residential construction: $750, refundable after occupancy approval if City property is undamaged.
• Accelerated single-family review: $150 surcharge.
• Authorizing a suite built before 2005: $500 minimum.

Good to know

• 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.
• Demolition, moving, sign, sprinkler and service pipe fees are also in the schedule.
• Development Cost Charges and School Site Acquisition Charges are separate.