Nelson building permit fees
How much does a building permit cost?
Short answer
A Nelson building permit costs $100 for work valued up to $5,000, plus $9 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 above that. Larger projects also pay a damage deposit of $600 to $1,700. Demolition, wood stoves and plumbing have their own fees.
Key facts
| Lowest fee | $100 basic fee, covering construction value up to $5,000.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF), Schedule A, BUILDING · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCharges/Notices on title BUILDING Basic Fee (covers $100 for Construction 1140250-000 construction values up to value to $5000 $5000.00) BUILDING Basic Fee (covers $100 for Construction 1140250-000 construction values up to value to $5000 $5000.00) Additional Fees to the Basic $9.00 for each $1000 or 1140250-000 |
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| How the fee is worked out | $100 for the first $5,000 of construction value, plus $9 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 over $5,000. Value of the work is the greater of the declared value or the Marshall Valuation Service figure.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF), Schedule A, BUILDING; Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 2.1 'Value of the work' · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAdditional Fees to the Basic $9.00 for each $1000 or part thereof of construction value over (a) for all construction, the greater of: the declared value of the work; or the value calculated using a method stipulated in the “Marshall |
| Application or plan review fee | The schedule lists the building permit fee as $100 for the first $5,000 of construction value plus $9 per $1,000 above that. Submitting new or substantially revised plans costs $100 or 10% of the building permit fee, whichever is greater. It does not say whether this counts toward the permit fee.Building Permits, City page, Applications; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF), Schedule A, BUILDING · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease include the appropriate fee and necessary attachments detailed on the required checklist. Submission of new or $100 or 10% of the Building Permit fee, whichever is greater Submission of new or $100 or 10% of the 1140250-000 substantially revised plans Building Permit fee, |
| Other fees | Plumbing: $100 basic fee for a homeowner or $50 for a licensed plumber (includes first fixture). Demolition: $50 residential, $200 commercial. Re-inspection: minimum $60, charged from the third re-inspection. Building permit renewal: $100. Damage deposit: $600, $1,100 or $1,700 by value of work.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF), Schedule A, PLUMBING and BUILDING; Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 11.9, 11.45 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBasic Fee (includes first $100/$50 Homeowner/Licensed Demolition - $50/$200 Minimum Fee For Re- $60 Building Permit Renewal Building Permit Valued between $50,000 and $200,000 $600 $1,100 $1,700 An applicant for a building permit must pay to the City, at the time of the application, the security deposit as determined in the City Fees and Charges Bylaw. a third and each subsequent re-inspection a third and each subsequent re-inspection where it has been determined by the |
| How to pay | The permit fee must be paid before the permit is issued; the City's page says to include the fee with the application. The damage deposit is paid at the time of application. Methods for building permit fees are not stated.Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 11.8, 11.9; Building Permits, City page, Applications · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBefore receiving a building permit for a building or structure, the owner must first pay to the City: the building permit fee prescribed in the City Fees and Charges Bylaw; and pay to the City, at the time of the application, the security deposit Please include the appropriate fee and necessary attachments detailed on the required checklist. |
| Bylaw | Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, 2008, Schedule A (Development Service Fees), BUILDING and PLUMBING; Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019, ss. 11.8 to 11.18Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF), Schedule A; Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF), s. 11.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 3092 REVISED: April 28, 2026 Schedule “A” Development Service Fees the building permit fee prescribed in the City Fees and Charges Bylaw; and |
How it works
Under Nelson's Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092 (Schedule A), the building permit fee is $100 for the first $5,000 of construction value, plus $9 for each $1,000 or part of $1,000 above $5,000. The value of the work is the greater of the declared value or the Marshall Valuation Service figure, under the Building Bylaw 3456. If the actual cost ends up higher than the value used, the fee is recalculated and an extra fee charged.
The fee must be paid before the permit is issued; the City page says to include it with your application. A damage deposit is paid when you apply. The City does not state how building permit fees can be paid.
Good to know
- Other fees: wood-burning appliance $200; demolition $50 residential or $200 commercial; building permit renewal $100; plumbing permit $100 for a homeowner or $50 for a licensed plumber.
- Submitting new or substantially revised plans costs $100 or 10% of the building permit fee, whichever is greater.
- Re-inspection: minimum $60, charged from the third re-inspection. Inspections outside normal business hours are $140 and voluntary inspections $100.
- Starting before the permit is issued can double the permit fee, up to $1,000 extra.
- The schedule also lists a Tree Deposit of $2,500 per tree under damage deposits; it does not say which trees it covers.
- Refunds of building application fees: none for fees of $200 or less; 90% before review, 50% before the permit is issued, 25% after issue but before work or inspections (up to 60 days), none once work starts.
- Development permit and rezoning fees are separate.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sources
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092 (Consolidated, revised April 28, 2026, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 3456, 2019 (Consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.