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North Cowichan building permit fees

How much does a building permit cost in North Cowichan?

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In North Cowichan a building permit costs $150 for work valued up to $5,000. Above that it is $150 plus 1% of the construction value. The fee is paid after the permit is approved, when the Municipality sends a fee slip.

Key facts

Lowest fee$150, for construction value not exceeding $5,000.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF, current to July 20, 2026), Schedule C, Section 1, Item 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Core Building Permit Fees
Building Permit Fee – for construction value not
exceeding $5,000
How the fee is worked out$150 plus 1% of construction value once the value is over $5,000 (same formula for $100,000 and up). If the applicant's value and the Building Inspector's differ, the Inspector's value applies unless the applicant provides an appraisal by a registered appraiser.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF, current to July 20, 2026), Schedule C, Section 1, Items 2-3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
$150 + 1% of construction value
Building Inspector's value of construction will be the value applied unless the applicant provides the value as determined by a professional building appraiser
Application or plan review feeNone set. The Fees and Charges Bylaw schedule lists no separate application or plan-review fee.
Other feesPlumbing: $30 for 1 or 2 fixtures, $15 per fixture for 3 or more. Demolition: $150 residential, $250 other. Re-inspection $150. Plan revision after issue $100. Work without a permit: double fee. Secondary suite permit: the greater of $150 + 1% of construction value or $165/sq.ft. (as written).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF, current to July 20, 2026), Schedule C, Sections 1 and 5; Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172, s. 17(3), 18(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Plumbing fixtures – 1 or 2 $30 flat fee for one or both
Plumbing fixtures – 3 and up
$15.00 per fixture (no minimum fee,
Demolition of building or structure
Residential: $150; Commercial/
Industrial/ Multi-Family: $250
Inspection – reinspection $150
Plan revision fee after building permit issuance $100
Double the building permit fees
Secondary suite permit
The greater of $150 + 1% of
construction value or $165/sq.ft.
security in the amount of $5 000 in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit or cash
How to payA fee slip is sent once the permit is approved. Pay by cash, Interac, cheque or money order, or online using 'North Cowichan – A/R' as the payee with the BP folder number as the account. Credit cards are not accepted. Email the fee slip to finance@northcowichan.ca and building@northcowichan.ca after paying online.Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Step 5: Building permit fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Once a building permit has been approved a fee slip will be provided for payment.
Permit fees are payable by: - cash, interact, cheque or money order
Credit cards are not accepted.
BylawFees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule C (Development and Permitting Fees), Section 1 (Building Fees); plumbing fees in Section 5.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF, current to July 20, 2026), cover / Schedule C · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
FEES AND CHARGES Bylaw No. 3784
SCHEDULE C - DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING FEES (Section 1, Building Fees)

How it works

North Cowichan sets building fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule C. The permit fee is $150 for construction valued at $5,000 or less, and $150 plus 1% of the construction value once the value is over $5,000 (the same formula applies at $100,000 and up). If your stated value and the Building Inspector's differ, the Inspector's value applies unless you provide an appraisal by a registered appraiser. The schedule lists no separate application or plan-review fee.

Other fees in the schedule:

  • Plumbing: $30 for 1 or 2 fixtures, $15 per fixture for 3 or more.
  • Demolition: $150 residential, $250 other.
  • Re-inspection: $150. Plan revision after the permit is issued: $100.
  • Work done without a permit: double the fee.
  • Retaining walls, relocation and sign permits: $150 plus 1% of construction value.
  • Site preparation permit: $100. Reinstating an expired permit: $300. Special safety inspection: $500.
  • Secondary suite: the greater of $150 plus 1% of construction value or "$165/sq.ft." as the schedule is written.

Steps

  1. Apply for the permit (see the building-permit answer).
  2. Wait for approval. The Municipality then sends a fee slip.
  3. Pay by cash, Interac, cheque or money order, or online using "North Cowichan – A/R" as the payee and your BP folder number as the account.
  4. If you pay online, email the fee slip to finance@northcowichan.ca and building@northcowichan.ca.

Good to know

  • Credit cards are not accepted.
  • The permit fee does not include any development permit fee. Development cost charges may apply to some projects.
  • The secondary suite wording is unclear, so confirm that fee with Building Services at 250-746-3105.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich

Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF, current to July 20, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Building Bylaw 2003, No. 3172 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Single-Family Dwelling / Duplex Permit, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.