District of North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply in the District of North Vancouver?
Short answer
The District of North Vancouver (not the City of North Vancouver) requires a permit for any work under its Construction Bylaw, including building, altering, demolishing, and electrical or fire- alarm work. Applications are electronic and by appointment: email building@dnv.org or call 604-990-2480.
Key facts
| Needed for | A permit is required for any work regulated by the Construction Bylaw: building, repairing or altering a building or structure, changing its use, moving or demolishing it, occupying a new building, and mechanical or electrical work, fire alarm or sprinkler systems and wood-burning appliances.Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017, s. 4.6, 4.7; Zoning guide, single-family residential RS1-5, Section A, Examples of Work Requiring a Building Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA permit is required for any work regulated under this bylaw. construct, repair or alter a building or structure, including a temporary building or structure; demolish a building or structure; perform electrical work. retaining walls greater than 3 ft. new homes, garages, and carports |
|---|---|
| Not needed for | Not covered by the bylaw: a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw (but pools are covered), paving, a retaining structure that is not a retaining wall, an accessory building under 10 m² or a trellis or arbour on a single-family lot, and non-structural repair and maintenance on a single-family lot.Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017, s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga fence permitted to be constructed under the Zoning Bylaw, except as provided 3.3.3 paving; an accessory building with a floor area less than 10 square metres or a trellis, non-structural repair and maintenance of lawfully-conforming structures on a |
| How to apply | Electronic applications only (PDF files named to the District's standard), with the building permit application form. Applications and inquiries are by appointment. Email building@dnv.org to arrange submission. The application form says a valid DNV business licence is required to apply.Building permit submission instructions, Instructions for Submitting Documents; Zoning guide, single-family residential RS1-5, Building Department contact; Building decks in single-family zones, Application Process; Building permit application form, Building Permit Application form · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe District of North Vancouver now only accepts building permit Building Permit Applications and Inquiries are by Appointment Only Contact Development Services (building@dnv.org) to arrange submission of your completed You are required to have a valid DNV business licence to apply for this permit |
| What to submit | The building permit application form (with estimated value of work), and drawings. For a deck or addition: a topographical survey by a BC Land Surveyor, site and landscaping plan, foundation plan and floor plans. Fees and a security deposit are also paid.Building permit application form, Building Permit Application form; Addition / deck checklist, Addition / Deck checklist; Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017, s. 5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingabove. To avoid delays, please ensure all fields are completed. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Location of work BLD Estimated Address value of work $ District Lot Legal Description Plan PID Description of work (include proposed use of space for non-single family) Will you be adding or removing more than 18 m3 (approximately Prepared by a Registered B.C. Land Surveyor Site & Landscaping Plan Foundation Plan an applicant for a building permit must pay to the District, |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The official pages do not state this detail. |
| Inspections | Building and mechanical inspections are booked online at www.dnv.org/inspection. Requests in by 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day unless otherwise requested. Electrical inspections are requested by email to electricaldept@dnv.org, fax or in person.Required inspection stages, How to Book Inspections · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding and mechanical inspections are booked online at www.dnv.org/inspection Inspection requests submitted by 2:30pm will be scheduled for the following business day unless otherwise requested. |
| Contact | Building Department, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver: 604-990-2480, building@dnv.org. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays. Building permit applications and inquiries are by appointment only.Zoning guide, single-family residential RS1-5, Building Department contact · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingTelephone: 604-990-2480 Email: building@dnv.org Building Permit Applications and Inquiries are by Appointment Only 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday |
| Bylaw | Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (consolidation includes amendments to Bylaw 8797, July 6, 2026)Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017, cover and s. 4.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCONSTRUCTION BYLAW Bylaw 8797 July 6, 2026 |
How it works
Under the Construction Bylaw 8271, a permit is required for any work the bylaw regulates. That means building, repairing or altering a building or structure, changing its use, moving or demolishing it, occupying a new building, and mechanical or electrical work, fire alarm or sprinkler systems and wood-burning appliances. The District's single-family guide also lists secondary suites, swimming pools and retaining walls over 3 ft. This is the District of North Vancouver, a different municipality from the City of North Vancouver.
Not covered by the bylaw: a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw (but pools are covered), paving, an accessory building under 10 m² or a trellis or arbour on a single-family lot, and non-structural repair and maintenance on a single-family lot. Trade permits (electrical, gas, plumbing) are separate.
Steps
- Check zoning first (see the zoning-lookup answer).
- Fill in the building permit application form. It says a valid District business licence is required to apply.
- Prepare drawings. For a deck or addition, the checklist asks for a topographical survey by a BC Land Surveyor, site and landscaping plan, foundation plan and floor plans.
- Applications are electronic only, with PDF files named to the District's standard (see the submission instructions). Applications and inquiries are by appointment: email building@dnv.org to arrange it.
- Pay fees and a security deposit (see building-permit-fees).
- Book inspections online at www.dnv.org/inspection. Requests in by 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day unless you ask otherwise. Electrical inspections are requested by email to electricaldept@dnv.org, fax or in person.
Good to know
- The Building Department is at Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays.
- For simple buildings, the bylaw requires at least 24 hours' notice when requesting a building review.
- The bylaw and District PDFs we read state no processing time. Ask when you book your appointment.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Vancouver · Belcarra · West Vancouver · Port Moody · Vancouver · Burnaby
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning guide, single-family residential RS1-5 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building permit submission instructions (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building permit application form (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Addition / deck checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building decks in single-family zones (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Required inspection stages (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Building permit guide (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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.