New Westminster building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
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.
Key facts
| Needed for | 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.Residential Building Permits; Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, s. 3.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingyou are required to obtain permits. New accessory buildings over 10 square meters, such as a garages, also require permits. No person shall commence or continue construction or change the unless the Building Official has issued |
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| Not needed for | 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.Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, s. 2.4.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis 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 |
| How to apply | 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.Residential Building Permits, Building Permit Application - New Construction; Residential Building Permits, Alterations And Small Projects · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis application is designed for new construction. Once complete, email all required documents and drawings to: 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. |
| What to submit | 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.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.Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, s. 5.2.3.5; Residential Building Permits, Apply Online - What You'll Need · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinginclude 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 Letter of Authorization (if applying on behalf of owner) Consent of Strata (if applicable) Project drawings and other documents based on scope |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail. |
| Inspections | 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.Inspections, Scheduling An Inspection; Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, s. 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTo 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. It is the sole responsibility of the owner to call for all required inspections |
| Contact | 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.Building Permits, Contact · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGeneral 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. |
| Bylaw | Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING BYLAW NO. 8125, 2019 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY |
How it works
The City of New Westminster's Building Bylaw 8125, 2019 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.
Steps
- Read the guide for your project on the Residential Building Permits page.
- Gather the documents listed above.
- New construction: email the completed application package and drawings as PDFs. Alterations and small projects: apply by email or online through a MyCity profile.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee by credit card when you submit online.
- 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.
Good to know
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
What you'll need
- 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
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Burnaby · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Belcarra · Surrey
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Residential Building Permits, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
- Inspections, City of New Westminster (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Bylaw No. 8125, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
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. How answers are checked.