North Saanich building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In North Saanich you need a building permit before you build, repair or alter a building or structure, including new homes, additions, accessory buildings over 10 m², pools over 1 m deep, retaining walls 1 m or higher, fences 2 m or higher, and all seawalls. Apply to Planning and Community Services at Municipal Hall. Review typically takes about 3 weeks.
Key facts
| Needed for | A permit is needed before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure. The District's March 2026 list: new homes, additions and renovations, accessory buildings over 10 m², porches and sun decks, pools over 1 m deep, retaining walls 1 m or higher, fences 2 m or higher, all seawalls, plumbing, demolition and moving.Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3; Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020), Do I need a Building Permit? brochure (April 2020); Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026), Building Permit Application Information (updated March 26, 2026), p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure; A demolition permit before demolishing a building or structure; structure greater than 10m2 (107 ft2) construct, cover or enclose a porch or sun Construct a new accessory building or structure greater than 10 m2 (107 ft2) Construct, reconstruct, cover or enclose a porch or sun deck All seawalls, even if they are less than the 1m height. |
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| Not needed for | One storage building per parcel up to 10 m² (107 ft²) with no mechanical services, and temporary construction trailers on permitted projects. The District's March 2026 package also lists minor non-structural work (cabinets, painting, flooring, re-roofing), landscaping, retaining walls under 1 m and fences under 2 m. Bylaw conditions still apply.Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 5.1.2; Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 1.2(d); Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020), Do I need a Building Permit? brochure (April 2020); Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026), Building Permit Application Information (updated March 26, 2026), p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot more than one storage building per parcel not exceeding a total of ten (10) square metres (107 square feet) in building area, in respect of which there are no mechanical services; Landscaping, paving or retaining walls less than one metre in height Building Permits are NOT required for minor non-structural modifications such as: fences under 2 metres (6.56’) in height Retaining walls under 1 metre in height • Fences under 2 metres in height; in residential zones 1.2 meters front yard, 1.9 metres other areas |
| How to apply | Apply at the Planning and Community Services Department; forms are at Municipal Hall or in the Building Permit Information Package on the District website. Each structure needs its own application. Plumbing permit checklists can be emailed to bpapplication@northsaanich.ca; no online portal is named. Cash, cheque or Interac; no credit cards.Permits, Applying for a Building Permit; Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026), Building Permit Application Information (updated March 26, 2026), p. 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll applications for a Building Permit can be made at the Planning and Community Services Department. Each structure requires a separate application does not accept credit cards For online submissions, please send this completed checklist to bpapplication@northsaanich.ca |
| What to submit | A complete application only: application form, owner's authorization if not the owner, site plan and construction drawings (the page says one set; the application form says 2 sets), arborist assertion or Tree Application Form, title under 30 days old with covenants, hazardous materials report for pre-1990 buildings, plan processing fee. Septic and Homeowner Protection Office approvals and engineering schedules apply where relevant.Sources differ: The District says actual requirements vary with the type of construction.Permits, Applying for a Building Permit; Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026), Building Permit Application form (p. 5-6) and package p. 2-3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWe can only accept complete applications which must include: Completed Building Permit Application Form One set of the construction drawings A hazardous materials assessment report if altering a building constructed prior to 1990 2 SETS of PLANS REQUIRED Recent Certificate of Title (not more than 30 days old) |
| Processing time | Typically about 3 weeks to review a complete application, depending on volume, project complexity, accuracy, and whether a variance, covenant or rezoning is needed. It can take longer in peak construction periods.Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026), Building Permit Application Information (updated March 26, 2026), p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTypically, it will take approximately 3 weeks to review the application depending on: During peak periods of construction activity, the estimated times for processing a permit may be |
| Inspections | Give the Building Official at least 24 hours' notice for each required inspection (footings, framing, insulation, final occupancy and others). Work must not be concealed until accepted. The bylaw does not say how to book (phone or online).Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 13.1.1(b), 13.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinggive at least twenty-four hours (24 hours) notice to the Building Official in order to obtain his inspection of the construction of: No aspect of the work referred to in section 13.1.1 of this bylaw shall be concealed until a Building Official has accepted the installation. |
| Contact | Planning and Community Services Department, Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, North Saanich. Building department phone 250-655-5470.Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020), Do I need a Building Permit? brochure (April 2020); Property Information, Property Information page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUILDING DEPARTMENT AT 250-655-5470 1620 Mills Road For questions or assistance, please contact Planning & Community Services at 250-655-5470 |
| Bylaw | Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150Permits, Applying for a Building Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 |
How it works
The District of North Saanich requires a building permit before you construct, repair or alter any building or structure, under Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150. Each structure needs its own application, and the District accepts complete applications only. Requirements vary with the type of work.
The District's March 2026 package lists these as needing a permit: new homes, additions and renovations, accessory buildings over 10 m², porches and sun decks, pools over 1 m deep, retaining walls 1 m or higher, fences 2 m or higher, all seawalls, plumbing, demolition and moving.
Steps
- Check the "Do I need a Building Permit?" brochure or call the building department at 250-655-5470.
- Gather the application items listed above. Forms are at Municipal Hall or in the Building Permit Application Information package.
- Submit the application to Planning and Community Services at Municipal Hall, and pay the plan processing fee.
- Pay the permit fee before the permit is issued.
- Give the Building Official at least 24 hours' notice for each required inspection (footings, framing, insulation, final and others). Do not conceal work until it is accepted. The bylaw does not say how to book; ask the building department.
Good to know
- No permit is needed for one storage building per parcel up to 10 m² with no mechanical services, or for temporary construction trailers on permitted projects. The 2026 package also lists minor non-structural work (cabinets, painting, flooring, re-roofing), landscaping, retaining walls under 1 m and fences under 2 m. Bylaw conditions still apply.
- Plumbing permit checklists can be emailed to bpapplication@northsaanich.ca. No online portal is named.
- Plans: the District's page says one set and the application form says two. Confirm with the building department.
- Inspections are not required where letters of assurance from a registered professional are provided.
What you'll need
- Completed Building Permit Application Form, and Owner's Authorization Form if you are not the registered owner
- Site plan and construction drawings (one set per the District's page, two sets per the application form)
- Certificate of title less than 30 days old, with copies of covenants
- Certified arborist's assertion that no trees will be affected, or a Tree Application Form
- Hazardous materials report if the building was built before 1990
- Homeowner Protection Office and septic approvals, and engineering schedules, where they apply
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · Central Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · Langford · View Royal
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Permits, District of North Saanich (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permit Application Information package (PDF, updated March 26, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019) (read 2026-11-05)
- Property Information, District of North Saanich (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.