---
title: "Nanaimo building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Nanaimo
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit.json"
---

# Nanaimo 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 City of Nanaimo you need a building permit for a detached building over 10 square metres, any structural change, addition, demolition or layout change, and any change to water or drain piping. Apply online. The City aims to process a complete residential application in three weeks.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nanaimo, https://www.nanaimo.ca)  
**Cost:** Based mainly on the value of construction; see the building permit fees answer and the City's Permit Fee Calculator.  
**How long:** Residential: the City's commitment is three weeks for a complete application. Online applications take 5 to 10 business days to be received and processed once the signed application is complete.  
**Where:**
- Online: Online Building Permit Application, https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application
- In person: Service and Resource Centre (Building Inspections), 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 0E4 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except statutory holidays)
- Phone: Building Inspections, 250-755-4429
- Email: Building Inspections, building.inspections@nanaimo.ca

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A building permit is required for any detached building over 10 m² (107.64 ft²); any structural alteration, addition, demolition or layout change; any change of layout or use of part of a house; any change to water supply or drain-waste-vent piping; and any addition or relocation of sprinkler heads. New decks, deck covers and stairs also need one (see deck answer).
  - Source: [Application for a Residential Building Permit, Residential building permit page, 'When do I need a building permit?'](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit)
  - Official wording: "any detached building over 107.64 ft² / 10 m²" … "any structural alterations, additions, demolitions or layout changes" … "any construction that will result in a change of layout or use of a portion of the house" … "any addition, alteration, relocation, or removal of water supply and drain waste vent piping" … "any addition or relocation of sprinkler heads"
  - Source: [Alteration Permit, Alteration permit page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is required when you are altering an existing dwelling including constructing additions, covered front entries or decks, deck covers, and stairs onto the building."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** No permit for a fence (zoning rules still apply) or retaining structures under 1.2 m. A deck needs none only if it is not the main entrance, is no more than 2 feet above grade within 4 feet of its edge, has no roof and is not attached to the house. Minor non-structural repairs to an approved deck, and replacing approved railings, need none.
  - Source: [Fence or Retaining Wall Permit, Building a Fence](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/fence-or-retaining-wall-permit)
  - Official wording: "No building permit is required for a fence; however, the fence must be in compliance with the Zoning Bylaw."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05), s. 5.2](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the" … "nor to retaining structures less than 1.2 metres in height"
  - Source: [Alteration Permit, Building a deck](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit)
  - Official wording: "the deck is not part of the principle entrance into your dwelling;" … "the deck is not more than two feet above grade within four feet of the edge of the deck;" … "the deck is not covered with a roof;" … "the deck is not attached to the dwelling; and," … "where an existing deck (previously approved under a building permit) requires only minor, non-structural repairs." … "A building permit is not required to replace deck railings previously approved under a building permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online with the City's building permit application, which all owners or their agents sign digitally. Some permit types use the City's eApply system instead (commercial new construction, demolition, non-dwelling accessory buildings, small-scale multi-unit housing). An agent needs an Appointment of Agent form.
  - Source: [Online Building Permit Application](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "This one application process works for both Residential and Commercial Building Permit Applications" … "We have launched a streamlined system called eApply to apply for some building permit types." … "Digitally sign the document as yourself" … "Appointment of Agent form FIRST"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** A signed application form with the owner's acknowledgement of responsibility (and an Appointment of Agent if you are not the owner), plus plans to scale (1/4"=1' or 1:50): site plan (a BC Land Surveyor survey may be required for setbacks), floor plan, elevations and cross-sections, and copies of any required health or safety approvals such as sewage or highway access permits.
  - Source: [Alteration Permit, Alteration permit page, required information](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit)
  - Official wording: "Applications must include the following:" … "Plans to scale 1/4"=1' or 1:50 showing the specifications of the building" … "Site plan [survey by a British Columbia Land Surveyor (BCLS) may be required for setbacks depending on design]"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05), s. 10.1](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be accompanied by the owner’s acknowledgement of responsibility and" … "include copies of approvals required under any enactment relating to health or safety" … "include a site plan prepared by a British Columbia Surveyor showing:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** Under normal conditions the City's commitment is to process a complete residential permit application in three weeks. For online applications, allow 5-10 business days once the signed application is complete for it to be received and processed. Incomplete applications cause delays. The City's Processing Times page shows the current queue.
  - Source: [Application for a Residential Building Permit, How long does it take before I can get my permit?](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit)
  - Official wording: "our commitment is to process residential permit applications in three weeks" … "Under normal conditions, our commitment is to process residential permit applications in three weeks." … "This is assuming the permit application is complete"
  - Source: [Online Building Permit Application, Building Permit Application Process](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "please allow 5-10 business days to receive and process your application" … "if your application is not 100% complete, your application may not hold its spot"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inspections:** Request an inspection through the City's online inspection request form. Requests made by 4:00 p.m. on a business day are done the next business day; times are not booked and inspectors can arrive any time after 9 a.m. The Building Bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice.
  - Source: [Building Permit Inspection Request, Building Permit Inspection Request page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/request-inspection/)
  - Official wording: "Inspections requested by 4:00 p.m. of any business day will be carried out the next business day." … "we do not book times" … "Inspectors can arrive any time after 9 a.m. on the inspection day."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05), s. 17.4](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall give at least 24 hours’ notice to the municipality when requesting an inspection"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Building Inspections Section, 250-755-4429, building.inspections@nanaimo.ca. Staff are available 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, excluding statutory holidays.
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Building Inspections Section 250-755-4429 building.inspections@nanaimo.ca" … "available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays (excluding statutory holidays)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05), s. 1](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Nanaimo's Building Inspections section reviews plans, issues the permit and inspects the work. [Building Bylaw 7224](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf) says no one may start construction, alteration, demolition, removal or relocation without a valid permit.

## Steps

1. Check what you need. A permit is required for a detached building over 10 m² (107.64 sq ft); any structural alteration, addition, demolition or layout change; a change of layout or use of part of a house; any change to water supply or drain-waste-vent piping; and adding or moving sprinkler heads. New decks, deck covers and stairs also need one.
2. Prepare a signed application with the owner's acknowledgement, an Appointment of Agent form if you are not the owner, and plans to scale: site plan (a BC Land Surveyor survey may be required for setbacks), floor plan, elevations and cross-sections, plus any required approvals such as sewage or highway access permits.
3. Apply online on the City's building permit application page; all owners or their agents sign digitally. Some types (commercial new construction, demolition, non-dwelling accessory buildings, small-scale multi-unit housing) use the City's eApply system instead.
4. Request inspections through the City's online form. Requests made by 4:00 p.m. on a business day are done the next business day. Times are not booked; inspectors can arrive any time after 9 a.m.

## Good to know

- No permit is needed for a fence (zoning rules still apply) or for retaining structures under 1.2 m. A deck needs none only if it is not the main entrance, is no more than 2 feet above grade within 4 feet of its edge, has no roof and is not attached to the house.
- Incomplete applications cause delays. Single family dwellings can pay a $150 surcharge for review in three working days.
- The bylaw asks for at least 24 hours' notice for an inspection. Re-inspection costs $150 when more than the normal inspections are needed. Inspections on Protection Island are only on Tuesdays.
- Complex buildings need more, including letters of assurance from registered professionals.
- Files over 25 MB each need arrangements with staff.

## What you'll need

- Signed application form with the owner's acknowledgement of responsibility
- Appointment of Agent form, if you are not the registered owner
- Plans to scale (1/4 inch = 1 foot or 1:50) and a site plan

## Official forms and pages

- [Residential Building Permit page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit)
- [Online Building Permit Application](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application)
- [Residential Building Permit Application Guide (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/property-development/building-permits/residentialbuildingpermitapplicationguide.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Nanaimo building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Nanaimo permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Nanaimo secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/secondary-suite.md)
- [Nanaimo zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/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)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/building-permit.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/building-permit.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/building-permit.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/building-permit.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/building-permit.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Application for a Residential Building Permit, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Alteration Permit, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/alteration-permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fence or Retaining Wall Permit, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/residential-building-permit/fence-or-retaining-wall-permit) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Online Building Permit Application, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development/building-permits/online-building-permit-application) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permit Inspection Request, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/request-inspection/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 2016 No. 7224 (PDF, consolidated 2026-OCT-05)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7224.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Nanaimo. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/building-permit/_