---
title: Oak Bay building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost in Oak Bay?"
place: Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/oak-bay
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Oak Bay
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Oak Bay building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost in Oak Bay?

**Short answer:** Oak Bay's building permit fee is based on project value: $150 plus 1.3% of value up to $100,000, with higher tiers above that. The tiers as printed do not join up, so confirm the fee for your project with the District. Fees are before tax.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Oak Bay, https://www.oakbay.ca)  
**Cost:** $150 plus 1.3% of value up to $100,000; see the tiers below. A 20% non-refundable application fee is paid up front.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Email: Building and Planning Department, inspections@oakbay.ca
- Phone: Building and Planning Department, 250-598-2042 ext. 7496
- In person: Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 1G2

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $150 plus 1.3% of the project value, for construction worth $100,000 or less. Fees are before tax.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), Schedule 2, item 1](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construction value $100,000 or less" … "$150, plus 1.3% of the project value" … "1. All fees are exclusive of tax (unless noticed otherwise), which will be added, if applicable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Up to $100,000: $150 plus 1.3% of value. Over $100,000 to $500,000: $1,500 plus 1.3% of the amount over $100,000. Over $500,000: $5,000 plus 1.3% of the amount over $500,000.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), Schedule 2, item 1](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Construction value greater than $100,000; less" … "$1500 plus 1.3% of the amount by which the" … "Construction value greater than $500,000" … "$5,000 plus 1.3% of the amount by which the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** 20% of the calculated permit fee is paid at application as a non-refundable application review fee. If a permit is issued it is credited against the total fee.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), Schedule 2, notes 3 and 4](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "paid at the time of application as a non-refundable application review fee." … "at the time of issuance be credited against the total fee calculated."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Plumbing: $50 basic plus $25 per fixture. Demolition: $300 (unserviced), $600 (serviced, up to 186 m²) or $1,000 (over 186 m²). Re-inspection: $150 for each inspection after the second when extra inspections are needed because of non-compliance. Building amendment or extra plan check: $300 each.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), Schedule 2, items 2 and 4, notes 6, 9, 10](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Basic permit fee" … "a re-inspection fee of $150.00 shall be paid prior to additional inspections being" … "Amendment to approved Building Permit" … "Additional Plan Check Fee" … "Serviced buildings of total floor area" … "Where, due to non-compliance with the Building and Plumbing Bylaw, more than 2 inspections"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 4247 (PDF, consolidated May 27, 2024), s. 20](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4247-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "deposit with the Municipality a sum of money to secure payment for costs incurred by the" … "For the erection of a new building and for the demolition or deconstruction of an existing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** An invoice is sent after the application is emailed; the application fee is paid before review. The full permit fee must be paid before any permit is issued.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), s. 3(d)(i)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any permit under this Bylaw."
  - Source: [Building Permits, How to Obtain an Oak Bay Building Permit](https://www.oakbay.ca/building-infrastructure/building-construction/building-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit fees are based on the value of construction." … "These charges will be collected when the final permit fee is due."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, 2023, Schedule 2 (Building and Plumbing Fees and Charges), consolidated to May 11, 2026.
  - Source: [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), title, Schedule 2](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Planning, Building and Development" … "SCHEDULE 2 – Building and Plumbing Fees and Charges" … "Consolidated up to May 11, 2026 to include Bylaws:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Oak Bay sets building and plumbing fees in Schedule 2 of the [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf). The permit fee depends on the value of the work. Fees are before tax.

The schedule gives three tiers:

- Up to $100,000: $150 plus 1.3% of value.
- Over $100,000 to $500,000: $1,500 plus 1.3% of the amount over $100,000.
- Over $500,000: $5,000 plus 1.3% of the amount over $500,000.

As printed, these tiers do not join up at $100,000 and $500,000. Confirm the fee for your project with the District before you rely on a figure.

## Steps

1. Email your application to inspections@oakbay.ca.
2. The District sends an invoice. Pay the application fee, which is 20% of the calculated permit fee and non-refundable. It is credited against the total if a permit is issued.
3. Pay the full permit fee before any permit is issued.

## Good to know

- Plumbing: $50 basic plus $25 per fixture.
- Demolition: $300 (unserviced), $600 (serviced, up to 186 m²) or $1,000 (over 186 m²).
- Re-inspection: $150 for each inspection after the second when extra visits are needed because of non-compliance.
- Building amendment or extra plan check: $300 each.
- A refundable security deposit applies under [Bylaw 4247](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4247-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw.pdf): $100 to $500 for alterations by value, and $1,000 for a new building or demolition, returned after final inspection.
- Other charges may apply, such as tree permits, engineering permits, development cost charges and damage deposits.

## Official forms and pages

- [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845 (PDF)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Oak Bay building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit.md)
- [Oak Bay permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Oak Bay tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/tree-removal.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/building-permit-fees.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Planning, Building and Development Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4845, Schedule 2 (PDF, consolidated May 11, 2026), District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4845-Planning-Development-Fees-ChargesCONSOLIDATED-May2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 4247 (PDF, consolidated May 27, 2024), District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4247-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permits, District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/building-infrastructure/building-construction/building-permits/) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Oak Bay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/building-permit-fees/_