{"title":"New Westminster building permits: when you need one and how to apply","question":"Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?","slug":"building-permit","place":{"path":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","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 New Westminster","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in most cases. In New Westminster you need a City building permit for a new detached dwelling, an addition or renovation, and a new accessory building over 10 square metres, such as a garage. Apply by email or online through MyCity.","aliases":["building permit new westminster","how to apply for a building permit new west","do i need a permit to renovate","mycity building permit"],"cost":"A non-refundable application fee is paid by credit card when you submit online, plus a permit fee based on construction value (see building-permit-fees for the amounts).","how_long":"The City does not state a review time. It says applications are reviewed once all documents are received.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply through MyCity (alterations and small projects)","value":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","note":"Choose the building type on that page."},{"type":"email","label":"Apply by email (new construction, or alterations)","value":"Use the building permit application address on the City's Residential Building Permits page","note":"Send the application package and drawings as PDFs."},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Division","value":"604-527-4580","note":"Inspectors are generally available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday."},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":["Residential and Accessory Building Permit Application Package (the application form)","Owner's acknowledgement","Land title search (see Good to know for how recent)","Letter of authorization if you apply for the owner","Company summary or solicitor's letter if a company owns the property","Consent of strata, if it applies","Drawings"],"forms":[{"title":"Residential Building Permits (apply and guides)","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes"},{"title":"Building Bylaw 8125, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"New Westminster building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"New Westminster permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"New Westminster fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules/"},{"slug":"tree-removal","title":"New Westminster tree removal rules and permits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/tree-removal/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit/"}],"topic":{"title":"Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit/"},"facts":{"needed_for":{"label":"Needed for","value":"New detached dwellings, additions and renovations, and new accessory buildings over 10 m² such as garages. The Building Bylaw bars starting or continuing construction, or changing occupancy, without a permit issued by the Building Official.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","title":"Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Residential Building Permits","quotes":["you are required to obtain permits. New accessory buildings over 10 square meters, such as a garages, also require permits."]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1.4","quotes":["No person shall commence or continue construction or change the","unless the Building Official has issued"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_needed_for":{"label":"Not needed for","value":"The Building Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, except as the bylaw provides. Section 2.4.2 also names greenhouses over 10 m² (PVC hoops, poly cover), fences (except as Part 12 requires for pools) and underground tank removal.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.4.2","quotes":["This Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by","greenhouses greater than 108 sq. ft. (10 sq. m.)","fences except as required in Part 12 of this Bylaw"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"New construction: email the completed Residential and Accessory Building Permit Application Package and drawings as PDFs. Alterations and small projects: apply by email or online through a MyCity profile. A non-refundable application fee is paid by credit card at online submission.","short":"Email package (new construction)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","title":"Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Building Permit Application - New Construction","quotes":["This application is designed for new construction.","Once complete, email all required documents and drawings to:"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","title":"Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Alterations And Small Projects","quotes":["Apply for a building permit by email or online using the options below.","A non-refundable application fee is required and must be paid by credit card at the time of submission."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"what_to_submit":{"label":"What to submit","value":"The Residential and Accessory Building Permit Application Package (application form), owner's acknowledgement, a land title search (bylaw: within 48 hours; City page: within 30 days), letter of authorization if applying for the owner, company summary or solicitor's letter, strata consent if applicable, and drawings.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.2.3.5","quotes":["include a copy of a Land Title Office search of the","land made within 48 hours of the date of the","be made using the application form prescribed, from"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","title":"Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Apply Online - What You'll Need","quotes":["Letter of Authorization (if applying on behalf of owner)","Consent of Strata (if applicable)","Project drawings and other documents based on scope"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's online page asks for a current title search within 30 days; the bylaw (2023 consolidation) says within 48 hours, and the garage guide says 48 hours. Followed the bylaw."},"processing_time":{"label":"Processing time","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"The official pages do not state this detail.","sources":[]},"inspections":{"label":"Inspections","value":"Book building and plumbing inspections through the MyCity Portal using the permit folder number and access code, by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the inspection is needed. The owner or agent must call for all required inspections.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/inspections","title":"Inspections, City of New Westminster","section":"Scheduling An Inspection","quotes":["To schedule a Building or Plumbing Inspection, please book through the MyCity Portal","Please ensure your request is made by 2:00 pm on the business day before the inspection is required."]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.1","quotes":["It is the sole responsibility of the owner to call for all required inspections"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"contact":{"label":"Contact","value":"Building Division, 604-527-4580, City Hall, 511 Royal Avenue. Inspectors are generally available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday. City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Contact","quotes":["General Inquiries: 604-527-4580","Building and Plumbing Inspectors are generally available for phone calls from 8:30 am to 9:30 am Monday to Friday."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF)","section":"title page","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 8125, 2019","CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of New Westminster's [Building Bylaw 8125, 2019](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf) bars anyone from starting or continuing construction, or changing how a building is used, without a permit issued by the Building Official. The City's page says new detached dwellings, additions, renovations and new accessory buildings over 10 square metres need permits.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Read the guide for your project on the Residential Building Permits page.\n2. Gather the documents listed above.\n3. New construction: email the completed application package and drawings as PDFs. Alterations and small projects: apply by email or online through a MyCity profile.\n4. Pay the non-refundable application fee by credit card when you submit online.\n5. Book inspections through the MyCity Portal, using your permit folder number and access code, by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before you need the inspection. The owner or agent must call for every required inspection.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures that Part 1 of the BC Building Code exempts. It also names greenhouses over 10 square metres, fences (except pool fences) and underground tank removal, but its wording on whether those are exempt is unclear. Call the Building Division before you decide a job needs no permit.\n- The City's page does not say whether a shed or other accessory building of 10 square metres or less needs a permit, and the bylaw sets no size. Ask the Building Division.\n- The City's page asks for a land title search within 30 days; the bylaw says within 48 hours. The other official source differs, so confirm with the Building Division.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits/single-detached-dwellings-and-duplexes","title":"Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/building-permits","title":"Building Permits, City of New Westminster","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/inspections","title":"Inspections, City of New Westminster","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8125__2019_Building(2).pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (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 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit.json"}}