---
title: New Westminster building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/new-westminster
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of New Westminster
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# New Westminster building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** In 2026 the City of New Westminster's minimum building permit fee is $169. Above that it is based on construction value: $18.50 per $1,000 up to $50,000, $16.40 per $1,000 from $50,001 to $150,000, and $14.40 per $1,000 above $150,000.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of New Westminster, https://www.newwestcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Minimum $169. $18.50 per $1,000 (or part) up to $50,000; $16.40 per $1,000 from $50,001 to $150,000; $14.40 per $1,000 above $150,000. Plus a $169 application fee and a plan review fee. 2026 fees.  
**How long:** The City does not say when the remaining permit fee is due.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Division, 604-527-4580
- Online: 2026 Fees page, https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees
- Phone: Engineering (works and services fees, damage deposits), 604-527-4592

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $169 (2026), the minimum building permit fee.
  - Source: [2026 Fees, Building Permit Fees](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "## Building Permit Fees - Minimum fee $169.00 - $18.50 for each $1,000 of work or portion thereof up to $50,000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** By construction value: $18.50 per $1,000 (or part) up to $50,000; $16.40 per $1,000 from $50,001 to $150,000; $14.40 per $1,000 above $150,000. Projects certified by registered professionals get a 1% discount, up to $513.
  - Source: [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D), Schedule A, Building Permit Fee based on Construction Value](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "$18.50 for each $1,000.00 of construction value or fraction thereof up to and" … "$16.40 from each $1,000.00 of construction value or fraction thereof between" … "$14.40 for each additional $1,000.00 of construction value or fraction thereof in" … "1% of the building permit fee up to $513.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** A non-refundable $169 application fee is paid at application. A non-refundable plan review fee of 50% of the building permit fee (minimum $169, maximum $20,000) is credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued.
  - Source: [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D), Schedule A, Building Permit Processing Fees](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "$169.00 (non-refundable)" … "with a minimum fee of $169.00 and a maximum fee of $20,000.00" … "shall be credited against the Building Permit Fee when the building permit"
  - Source: [2026 Fees, Building Permit Application Fee](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "Non-refundable application fee of $169.00 required upon completion of pre-review"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing: $169 for 1 to 4 fixtures, $39 each additional. Demolition: $169 for an accessory building such as a garage or shed; other structures from $1,440. Re-inspection: $169 third, $332 fourth, $496 fifth, $663 each after (plus GST). Engineering fees and damage deposits are set by Engineering.
  - Source: [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D), Schedule D, 2026 Plumbing Fees](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1 to 4 fixtures" … "$169.00 (minimum permit fee)" … "Each additional fixture" … "$39.00"
  - Source: [2026 Fees, Demolition Permit Fees](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "Demolition permit fee for accessory buildings such as a garage or shed and demolition of interior commercial spaces under 2500sq.ft. is $169.00" … "Demolition permit fee for all other structures shall be a minimum of $1440.00"
  - Source: [2026 Fees, Re-Inspection Fee](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "$169.00 (plus GST) for the third, $332.00 (plus GST) for the fourth, $496.00 (plus GST) for the fifth inspection and $663.00 (plus GST) for each subsequent inspection"
  - Source: [2026 Fees, Other Departmental Fees and Deposits](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
  - Official wording: "Damage Deposits may also be charged, as determined by the Engineering Department."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The application fee is paid by credit card when an online application is submitted. Online credit card payments add a non-refundable 1.75% convenience fee. The City does not say when the remaining permit fee is due.
  - Source: [Residential Building Permits, Apply Online - Payment](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes)
  - Official wording: "A non-refundable application fee is required and must be paid by credit card at the time of submission."
  - Source: [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D), Credit Card Convenience Fee](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An additional fee of 1.75% shall be" … "added to the total cost of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Planning & Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014, Schedule A (2026 Building Permit Fees)
  - Source: [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D), title page and Schedule A](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)
  - Official wording: "PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT FEES AND RATES" … "BYLAW NO. 7683, 2014" … "2026 Building Permit Fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of New Westminster sets building fees in [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw 7683, 2014](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf), Schedule A. The permit fee is worked out from the construction value of your project, with a minimum of $169.

## Steps

1. Estimate the construction value of your project.
2. Pay the non-refundable $169 application fee by credit card when you submit online.
3. Pay the plan review fee: 50% of the building permit fee (minimum $169, maximum $20,000), which is credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued.
4. Pay the rest of the permit fee. The City does not say when it is due, so ask the Building Division.

## Good to know

- Projects certified by registered professionals get a 1% discount, up to $513.
- Online credit card payments add a non-refundable 1.75% convenience fee.
- Plumbing: $169 for 1 to 4 fixtures, $39 for each additional one.
- Demolition: $169 for an accessory building such as a garage or shed; other structures start at $1,440.
- Re-inspections (plus GST): $169 for the third, $332 for the fourth, $496 for the fifth and $663 for each after that.
- Engineering fees and damage deposits are set by Engineering.

## What you'll need

- Estimated construction value of the work

## Official forms and pages

- [2026 Fees, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees)
- [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw 7683, 2014 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf)

## Related questions

- [New Westminster building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.md)
- [New Westminster tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [2026 Fees, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permit-fees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster](https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014 (PDF, Schedules A and D)](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7683__2014_Planning__Development_Fees_and_Rates__2026_06_15_consolidation_.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of New Westminster. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees/_